John D. Roth's straightforward, accessible narrative invigorates this contemporary introduction to the Mennonite story. Whether readers are new to the Mennonite community or just yearning for a fresh telling of Anabaptist origins, Stories: How Mennonites Came to Be will serve as a compact digest of the church's history for generations to come.

Free downloadable study guide available here.

Introduction: Conflict and Renewal in the Church Tradition ... 9

1. A Newborn Church: From Movement to Structure ... 21
2. A Catholic Church: Constantine and the Christian Empire ... 37
3. A Protestant Church: Revolt, Reform, Renewal ... 49
4. An Anabaptist Church: A Third Way Emerges ... 65
5. Mennonites in Europe: New Reforms, New Structures ... 87
6. Mennonites in South Russia: Migration and Assimilation ... 115
7. Mennonites in North America I: Negotiating the New World ... 139
8. Mennonites in North America II: A New Mosaic ... 165
9. Mennonites Around the World: To the Uttermost Parts of the Earth ... 189
10. Mennonites in the World: Relations with Other Christians ... 213

Conclusion: Conflict and Renewal in the Anabaptist-Mennonite Tradition ... 235

"This work needs to be in print.... It addresses contemporary issues, and linking the past and the present is a strength of this work." —Karl Koop, Canadian Mennonite University

"Roth weaves together narrative, biography, and theology in an engaging, compelling, and sometimes provocative fashion. This book is an invitation to consider how what happened back then can illuminate the task of following Jesus now." —Jonathan Showalter, Rosedale Bible College