GENERAL:
 -It's roots are from 1520's in central Europe.

 -They were considered the radical branch of the Reformation. They didn't agree with the idea of infant baptism or the joining of church and state.

 -They were originally called 'anabaptists' because they rebaptized people.

 -Their main concern was living a holy life. They are close in nature to the Brethren Church.

 -The first Mennonite congregation in the US was in 1683 in Germantown section of Phila. ,Pa.

 -Ministers are often bi-vocational and they ordain both men and women.

 -Some have no Sunday School for they feel it is the responsibility of the parents to train up the child.

 -Church membership is voluntary, with adult baptism upon declaration of faith.

 -Mennonites are known for their peace stand, taken because they believe Jesus Christ taught the way of    peace. Many members choose not to participate in military service. Some take their belief  further by objecting to government military expenditure; a few choose not to pay the percentage of their    annual income tax that would go for military purposes.

 -Do not sue for legal reasons.

 -Mennonites are also known for their strong commitment to community; interest in social issues;   voluntary service to those who have experienced hardship and loss in floods, tornadoes and other    disasters; and mission outreach.

 -Highly missions oriented. Their primary goal is to reach the unreached people groups of the world. AIMM (African Inter-Mennonite Missions). Mennonite Central Committee (700 missionaries is 50  countries) Mennonite Brethren Missions Service is the largest missions agancy in the denomination.

 -'Mennonite Church' the largest group has over 102,000 members in 1100 churches in the us. On any Sunday you will find Mennonites gathered for worship in about 61 countries around the world. With 0ver one million members, the Mennonite Church has been in existence for more than 475 years.

 -Discipleship is of major importance

 -Often ultra conservative in lifestyle.
  -No smoking/drinking/drugs/gambling/dancing /movies etc.
  -Women are not to be overly adorned ...make-up, earrings, excessive hairdo's

DOCTRINE:
 -There was an emphasis on Scripture alone and not any kind of Church tradition or ritual to follow. This was foreign to the Lutheran and Reformed churches of the day.  Yet on the basic units of the Christian  faith they were all in agreement.

 -Fundamental and evangelical in doctrine.

 -Reformed in eschatology.

 -Evangelism is stressed.

 -Scripture is supreme and following it a must.

Statement of Faith

The Bible is Central
 The church tries to live in obedience to the Word of God -- the Bible. Mennonites believe that God's spirit, or "Holy Spirit," helps the community of believers understand that Word. The life and teachings of Jesus as recorded in the Bible help in interpreting the meaning of the "Old Testament" part of the Bible: "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (I Cor. 3:1 1, RSV). The Holy Spirit uses the written Word to give new life to the church and to help people grow in faith.

New Life in Christ
 Because we are human beings, we all sin: we commit wrongs, we don't do the things we should, and we're out of touch with God. In history, God sent Jesus Christ to the world so that all those who believe in Jesus Christ could receive forgiveness for all their sins, as well as the gift of a more whole life today and the promise of living forever with God. Taking part in a regular worship service enables Christians to respond to God with praise and thanks, and to live for Jesus through the week.

Voluntary Membership and Commitment to Christ
 A church is strong when its members experience God's love and are wholeheartedly committed to its purposes. For that reason, "believer's baptism" is practiced to symbolize the decision of an adult to make a public commitment to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. in baptism, the believer shows willingness to share the good news about Jesus bywords and actions.

Reaching Out to the World
 Jesus Christ said, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21, RSV). He sends the church to bring "good news" to all persons throughout the world. Jesus wants his followers to help each other. As Jesus put it, "The Spirit of the Lord ... has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, ... freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind" (Luke 4:18, RSV). Mennonites also believe it's important to be concerned for both the "spiritual" and "physical" aspects of life.

Belonging to Each Other
 "In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others" (Ro. 12:5, NIV). Mennonites feel that Christians need each other for encouragement and growth, for confronting one another in a supportive way, and for help in time of crisis. The church grows in faith, unity, service, and witness when it is a caring and loving community.

Living Peacefully
 As disciples of Jesus, Mennonites try to live under Christ's rule: for many this means loving the enemy and refusing to use violence or participate in military service, living peaceably with others at all levels, serving the poor and needy, and including taking risks to work actively for justice and mercy.

Helping Each Other
 As members of the body of Christ, Mennonites try to care for the spiritual, emotional, and physical health of other members. "Mutual aid" takes many forms, including giving time, money, and goods in times of crisis.

WORSHIP:
Ordinances
 -Baptism, Communion, Foot washing, Holy kiss, Anointing with oil for healing by elders, Women wear a prayer veil in church, Marriage

 -Why 7 ordinances?
  -Baptism symbolizes the believers faith in the power of Christ to cleanse him from the guilt of sin. Pouring for believers.

  -Lord's Supper symbolizes faith in Christ who has given his life for the redemption of man. Taken  twice a year and is an expression of common union and fellowship with  Christ and  other     believers. No special presence of JC. Open to all who truly believe.

  -Foot washing symbolizes brotherhood and servanthood  within the church. Done before  Communion. Sexes are separated. Some have discontinued this practice.

  -Holy kiss symbolizes the fervent Christian love in the fellowship of the saints. This  follows  Communion.

  -Anointing with oil symbolizes the power of God to heal the body.

  -Women's prayer covering symbolizes the preeminence of man in administration and  function ...not importance.

  -Marriage is symbolic of the relationship between Christ and His church.

Style
 -Many Mennonites do not use instruments for hymn singing. But they love to sing and will often sing for half the service. They will occasionally use them for special music.

 -There are various scripture readings, prayers both congregational and pastoral, offering, sermon
  teaching, a testimony time and a response time to the sermon.

 -Worship time is somewhat structured yet is not restrictive.

 -Mennonites were know for their hymn writing abilities. Many of the hymns we sing today are Mennonite

GOVERNMENT:
 -Local congregation is autonomous and is congregational in government with the joining of different    associations and conferences for fellowship.

Other Groups:
 -There are over 13 different associations / bodies within the Mennonite denomination.

Amish
 -Amish movement rose from within the Mennonite church. They are a severely literalist movement.
 -They  insist on shunning excommunicated members.
 -They are strict fundamentalist and super-ultra conservatives in lifestyle.
 -They oppose automobiles, telephones, higher education and many other modern conveniences.
 -They are highly efficient farmers.
 -Peace/ not war

General Conference Mennonite Church
 -Highly missions related.
 -The more 'liberal' (in lifestyle) side of Mennonites.

Mennonite Brethren Church of North America
 -Dutch and German in background.
 -Pietistic in orientation and baptistic in polity.
 -Emphasis on prayer and Bible Study.

Mennonite Church
 -Largest of the Mennonite groups in the US.
 -Non-heirarchial brotherhood.
 -Missions oriented
 -Conservative (lifestyle).