|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
An introduction to the Mennonite denomination
Today's Mennonite Church is one of several groups that grew out of the Protestant Reformation in the early 1500s. In those days, most people in Europe, including reformers like Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli, assumed the church should be established by or connected to the government.
A small group of others, however, felt that the New Testament and the example of the earliest Christians taught that the church should be separate from the state. They believed people should voluntarily follow Christ through adult baptism, rather than join the state church through infant baptism. They were also passionate about sharing their faith with others.
The alternative movement was launched in 1525, when Conrad Grebel led a group in baptizing each other in Zurich, Switzerland. Their choice to re-baptize affirmed a conscious and chose faith. Thus they were named Anabaptists which means re-baptizers.
Eventually, the reformers work addressed other biblical issues as well, including ethical reform of church leadership and rejection of violence for followers of Christ.
For their efforts, the Anabaptists were harshly prosecuted. Burned and drowned, 5,000 died in the first few generations. This story is chronicled in the Martyrs Mirror. But the movement spread throughout Europe. By 1535, a priest named Menno Simons turned to the Anabaptist reform. In the Netherlands, he began the work of encouraging and organizing the persecuted church. Due to his vigorous work, the movement came to be called by his name, Mennonite.
Over the years, the Mennonites have been known as hard-working farmers who refuse to fight in the nations wars but who make a contribution through honesty and industry. In the 21st century, Mennonites are present all over the world, with Africa as the fastest growing area of the church.
Mennonites share Anabaptist roots with the Amish, Church of the Brethren, and Brethren in Christ. Modern expressions of Anabaptist church life range all the way from rejection of modern clothing and technology and a life of separate simplicity to full participation in the complex professions of contemporary society; from Midwest farmer to European architect; from African chieftain to South American sociologist. There are about one million Mennonites in 61 countries around the world.
Mennonites hold many common core beliefs and they value their history as a people of God. Their beliefs in God and Jesus Christ link them with other Christian denominations.
However, Mennonites live out Gods call in some ways that make them distinct. Worshipping as a community of believers and studying the Bible to listen to what God is saying to the church today are very important to the Mennonites. They also believe that the church us called by God to share the good news of Jesus in word and deed, following the example and words of Jesus Christ in everyday life, including service to people in need.
Mennonites practice adjust, or believers baptism. Baptism symbolizes Gods grace and death and resurrection with Jesus.
Mennonites believe that Jesus, when he lived on earth, revealed a way for people to live peacefully and nonviolently. Mennonites believe in giving the ultimate loyalty to God rather than to the nations in which they live, or to the military.
In 2001, at a denominational convention in Nashville, TN, the General Conference Mennonite Church and the Mennonite Church merged to form the new Mennonite Church USA. Thus ended a 120-year division between these groups. Denominational conventions are held every two years in conjunction with youth and childrens conventions.
Prior to this merger, in 1995 in Wichita, JS, the two bodies adopted a new Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective which is a summary of Mennonite theology, spiritually, and ethics.
In the beginning of this new century there are more Mennonites in Africa, Asia, and South American than in North America. In this changing relationship, Mennonites increasing confront the question of nationalism, racism, and economic inequities. Mennonites continue to stress peacemaking and faith-community building.
Some Mennonite Organizations you may hear about include:
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), the relief and development are of the church.
Mennonite Mission Network (MMN)
Mennonite Mutual Aid (MMA), working with financial management and insurance.
Mennonite Economic Development Association (MEDA), a business and leaders group dedicated to encouraging financial growth in areas of need around the world.
Mennonite World Conference. The global Mennonite network that organizes a world-wide conference every six years.
Visit www.mennoniteusa.org for more information.