Why I Am a Mennonite

For those who are interested, I've posted a little bit about my personal journey that led me to the Anabaptist/Mennonite faith over on Near Emmaus. Check it out, and while you're there, check out my friends' posts, as well, and be sure to keep up with the series:

1a. Why I Am An E/evangelical
1b. Why I Am A Catholic
1c. Why I Am A Mennonite

2a. Why I Am Not A Catholic
2b. Why I Am Not An Evangelical (forthcoming)

What Does It Mean To Be An Evangelical?

Brian LePort has begun an excellent discussion over at Near Emmaus on reasons behind one's choice to identify as Roman Catholic/Evangelical. Brian describes himself somewhat ambivalently as an "E/evangelical," characterizing evangelicalism as more of an ethos than a particular denominational affiliation. He has invited me to contribute a post from my newfound perspective as an Anabaptist/Mennonite, and I will be offering my thoughts sometime in the next few days.

I personally have great difficulty self-identifying as an evangelical, primarily because I feel that no clear definition of the term exists anymore. At one time, perhaps, evangelicalism was most readily identifiable as the Christianity of Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, Oral Roberts, and others. But no longer. Now, Christians from John Piper to Rob Bell self-identify as evangelicals—with such a diverse range of adherents, what are the commonalities that might contribute to a working definition of evangelicalism?

In what tradition do you feel most at home? Why do you choose to identify with your particular brand of Christianity, either Roman Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Orthodox, etc.?