Mennonite

The Mennonites aregroupChristian Anabaptist denominations based onteachingstraditionMenno Simons. Theyone ofpeace churches, which hold todoctrinenon-violencepacifism. They aremodern denominations which present many Anabaptist views.

Their core beliefs, deriving from Anabaptist traditions are:

1. Baptismbelievers understood as threefold: Baptism byspirit (internal changeheart), Baptism by water (public demonstrationwitness),baptism by blood (martyrdomasceticism).
2. Church discipline understood as threefold : ConfessionSins, AbsolutionSin,Re-admissionSinner inchurch.
3. The Lord's Supper as Memorial, shared by baptised believers withindiscipline ofchurch.

One ofearliest expressionstheir faith wasSchleitheim Confession, adoptedFebruary 24, 1527. Its seven articles covered:

• Baptism
• The Ban (Excommunication)
• BreakingBread (Communion)
• Separation fromAbomination
• Pastorss inChurch
• The Sword
• The Oath

Duringsixteenth century,Mennonitesother Anabaptists were relentlessly persecuted. Byseventeenth century, somethem joinedstate church inNetherlands,persuadedauthoritiesrelenttheir attacks. The Mennonites outsidestate church were divided on whetherremaincommuniontheir brothers withinstate church,this led tosplit. Those against remainingcommunionthem became known asAmish, after their founder Jacob Amman. Those who remainedcommunionthem retainedname Mennonite.

Other disagreements overyears have ledother splits; sometimesreasons were theological, sometimes practical, sometimes geographical. For instance, nearbeginning oftwentieth century, there were some inAmish church that wantedbegin having Sunday Schoolsevangelize. Unablepersuaderest ofAmish,separatedformedConservative Mennonite Conference. MennonitesCanadaother countries typically have independent denominations due topractical considerationsdistance and,some cases, language.

Some Mennonite communities conscientiously rejectusemodern technology, such as electricity or motor transport. Such Mennonitesoften referredas Old Order Mennonites (althoughterm strictly refers toparticular church within that group)orderdistinguish them from Mennonite denominations that fully accept modern inventions.

Mennonitesprominent among denominationsdisaster relief, often beingfirstarriveaid after hurricanes, floodsother disasters.

External Links

• MennoLink
• Menno Simons Biography
• The Schleitheim Confession
• The Martyrs Mirror
• Mennonite Church USA
• Third Way Cafe
• John H. Yoder - Mennonite Theologian