A People Apart

the long version

This book represents the findings of a 1985 research project undertaken by Dr. John H. Redekop, commissioned by the Board of Spiritual and Social Concerns of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches to study the issue of ethnicity and Mennonite Brethren. The first part of the book summarizes the responses to a national survey administered by Redekop. He then concludes with a three-fold proposal, calling on Mennonite Brethren: 1) to adopt a more welcoming attitude toward non-ethnic Mennonites who have joined their church, 2) to demonstrate full acceptance of the various ethnic and racial backgrounds represented by fellow Christian believers in their church, and 3) to change their denominational name from Mennonite Brethren to Evangelical Anabaptist, swapping the ethnic category for a theological category.