About

Founded in 1946 by Cornelius Krahn, Mennonite Life is now an illustrated online annual published by Bethel College that is devoted to exploring and developing Mennonite experience.

If you ask yourself these questions, please read Mennonite Life:

  • What ideas reside at the intersection of academia and Mennonite theology and experience?
  • What shapes will Mennonite communities and networks take in the 21st century?
  • How do we respond to current social, political and theological questions?
  • What can our past teach us?
  • What insights can the growing community of Mennonite artists offer?

Since 1946, Mennonite Life has provided a forum for the consideration of these questions. From the generation of young Mennonites coming out of World War II, to the present generations facing a future of constant connectivity, Mennonite Life continues to explore and develop Mennonite experience.

Things to know:

  • Published by Bethel College
  • Intended audience goes beyond academic specialists. Although we aim to publish material of value to scholars, we desire to reach a wider literate readership interested in Mennonite matters.
  • Not confined within dogmatic or ideological limits, other than bounds of good taste. A great variety of opinions can be found among Mennonites and we desire to represent that variety.
  • From 1946 to 1999, Mennonite Life was published in paper form (back issues available)
  • Starting with the March 2000 issue, it became a free, online only journal. Mennonite Life articles are indexed in ATLA Religion Database.

Mennonite Life editors:

  • Cornelius Krahn, 1946–1971
  • Robert M. Schrag, 1971–1974
  • Robert Kreider, 1974–1984
  • James Juhnke, 1975–1980, 1990–1995, 2000–2007
  • David A. Haury, 1984–1989
  • Raylene Hinz Penner, 1991–1995, 2000–2002
  • John D. Thiesen, 1995–2008
  • Ami Regier, 2000–2008
  • Mark Jantzen, 2010–2012
  • Rachel Epp Buller, 2013–2016
  • Brad S. Born, 2017–2019
  • Melanie Zuercher, 2019–present

Funding provided in part by the Cornelius and Hilda Krahn Mennonite Life Endowment.

To contribute to the Cornelius and Hilda Krahn Mennonite Life Endowment Fund contact the Development Office at Bethel College.