Mennonite
The
Mennonites are a group of
Christian Anabaptist denominations based on the teachings and tradition of
Menno Simons. They are one of the
peace churches, which hold to a doctrine of
non-violence and
pacifism.\nThey are the modern denominations which present many
Anabaptist views.
Their core beliefs, deriving from Anabaptist traditions are:\n#
Baptism of believers understood as threefold: Baptism by the spirit (internal change of heart), Baptism by water (public demonstration of witness), and baptism by blood (martyrdom and asceticism).\n# Church discipline understood as threefold : Confession of Sins, Absolution of Sin, and Re-admission of Sinner in the church.\n#
The Lord's Supper as Memorial, shared by baptised believers within the discipline of the church.
One of the earliest expressions of their faith was the
Schleitheim Confession, adopted in
February 24,
1527.\nIts seven articles covered:
During the sixteenth century, the Mennonites and other Anabaptists were relentlessly persecuted. By the seventeenth century, some of them joined the state church in the
Netherlands, and persuaded the authorities to relent in their attacks. The Mennonites outside the state church were divided on whether to remain in communion with their brothers within the state church, and this led to a split. Those against remaining in communion with them became known as the
Amish, after their founder
Jacob Amman. Those who remained in communion with them retained the name Mennonite. This period of persecution has had a significant impact on Mennonite identity.
Martyrs Mirror, published in
1660, documents much of the persecution of Anabaptists and their predecessors. Today, the book is still the most important book besides the bible for many Mennonites and Amish.
Other disagreements over the years have led to other splits; sometimes the reasons were theological, sometimes practical, sometimes geographical. For instance, near the beginning of the twentieth century, there were some in the Amish church that wanted to begin having Sunday Schools and evangelize. Unable to persuade the rest of the Amish, they separated and formed the
Conservative Mennonite Conference. Mennonites in Canada and other countries typically have independent denominations due to the practical considerations of distance and, in some cases, language.
Some Mennonite communities conscientiously reject the use of modern technology, such as
electricity or motor transport. Such Mennonites are often referred to as
Old Order Mennonites (although the term strictly refers to a particular church within that group) in order to distinguish them from Mennonite denominations that fully accept modern inventions.
Mennonites are prominent among denominations in
disaster relief, often being the first to arrive with aid after hurricanes, floods and other disasters. In the last few decades they have also become more actively involved with
peace and
social justice issues, helping to found Christian Peacemaker Teams and Mennonite Conciliation Service
External Links
\n* MennoLink\n*
Menno Simons Biography\n*
The Schleitheim Confession\n*
The Martyrs Mirror\n*
Mennonite Church USA\n*
Arhives of the Mennonite Church\n*
Third Way Cafe\n*
John H. Yoder - Mennonite Theologian\n*
Neu Samara - A Mennonite settlement in Russia