Mennonite Church USA
Encyclopedia
The Mennonite Church USA, or MCUSA, is an Anabaptist
Christian
denomination in the United States
. Although the organization is a recent 2002 merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church
, the body has roots in the Radical Reformation
of the 16th century. Total 2006 membership in the Mennonite Church USA was 110,696 members in 950 congregations, making it the largest of the Mennonite denominations in the United States. Pennsylvania remains the hub of the denomination, with over 300 congregations and over 40,000 members. There are also large numbers of members in Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, and Illinois.
, settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania
, in 1683. Swiss Mennonites came to North America in the early part of the 18th century. Their first settlements were in Pennsylvania, then in Virginia
and Ohio
. These Swiss immigrants, combined with Dutch and German Mennonites and progressive Amish Mennonite
s who later united with them, until 2002 made up the largest body of Mennonites in North America (in the past often referred to as the "Old Mennonites"). They formed regional conferences in the 18th century, and a North American conference in 1898. The year 1725 is often considered the date of organization in the United States, when a ministers' conference met in Pennsylvania and adopted the Dordrecht Confession of Faith
as their official statement of faith.
The General Conference Mennonite Church was an association of Mennonite congregations based in North America from 1860 to 2002. The conference was formed in 1860 by congregations in Iowa seeking to unite with like-minded Mennonites to pursue common goals such as higher education and mission work. The conference was especially attractive to recent Mennonite and Amish immigrants to North America and expanded considerably when thousands of Russian Mennonites arrived in North America starting in the 1870s. Conference offices were located in Winnipeg, Manitoba and North Newton, Kansas. The conference supported a seminary and several colleges. By the 1980s, there remained little difference between the General Conference Mennonite Church and the "Old" Mennonite church. In the 1990s the conference had 64,431 members in 410 congregations in Canada, the United States and South America.
, in celebration of 300 years of Mennonite witness in the Americas. Beginning in 1989, a series of consultations, discussions, proposals, and sessions (and a vote in 1995 in favor of merger) led to the unification of these two major North American Mennonite bodies into one denomination organized on two fronts - the Mennonite Church USA and the Mennonite Church Canada
. The merger was "finalized" at a joint session in St. Louis, Missouri
in 1999, and the Canadian branch moved quickly ahead. The United States branch did not complete their organization until the meeting in Nashville, Tennessee
in 2001, which became effective February 1, 2002.
The merger of 1999-2002 at least partially fulfilled the desire of the founders of the General Conference Mennonite Church to create an organization under which all Mennonites could unite. Yet not all Mennonites favored the merger. The Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations
represents one expression of the disappointment with the merger and the events that led up to it.
, Charlotte, North Carolina
, Columbus, Ohio
and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
All congregations in the denomination belong to an area conference, and it is the area conference that is the component part of Mennonite Church USA. There are currently 21 area conferences with many of them overlapping geographically due to conference structures prior to the merger.
Mennonite Church USA provides denominational oversight through Mennonite Education Agency to five colleges and universities and two seminaries in the United States. These are:
. It contains 24 articles ranging from the more general Christian theologies of God
, Jesus
Christ
, and the Holy Spirit
to the more distinct Foot Washing
, Truth and the Avoidance of Oaths, Peace, Justice, and Nonresistance, and The Church's Relation to Government and Society.
, gay
, bisexual, and transgender
persons in the church. While as early as 1987, the constituent parts of MCUSA had issued the Purdue Statement, establishing heterosexuality as the only legitimate form of sexual expression. This position has resulted in many congregations and pastors being disciplined over the years for their inclusive membership practices. At the 2009 Convention in Columbus, Ohio, the Pink Menno Campaign witness brought the issue back into the open . With hundreds of youth convention participants and delegates wearing pink, MCUSA has been forced to reopen its discussions on human sexuality.
They also oppose euthanasia and the capital punishment.
Anabaptist
Anabaptists are Protestant Christians of the Radical Reformation of 16th-century Europe, and their direct descendants, particularly the Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites....
Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
denomination in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Although the organization is a recent 2002 merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church
General Conference Mennonite Church
The General Conference Mennonite Church was an association of Mennonite congregations based in North America from 1860 to 2002. The conference was formed in 1860 when congregations in Iowa invited North American Mennonites to join together in order to pursue common goals such as higher education...
, the body has roots in the Radical Reformation
Radical Reformation
The Radical Reformation was a 16th century response to what was believed to be both the corruption in the Roman Catholic Church and the expanding Magisterial Protestant movement led by Martin Luther and many others. Beginning in Germany and Switzerland, the Radical Reformation birthed many radical...
of the 16th century. Total 2006 membership in the Mennonite Church USA was 110,696 members in 950 congregations, making it the largest of the Mennonite denominations in the United States. Pennsylvania remains the hub of the denomination, with over 300 congregations and over 40,000 members. There are also large numbers of members in Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, and Illinois.
(General Assembly) Mennonite Church (MC)
Dutch and German immigrants from Krefeld, GermanyKrefeld
Krefeld , also known as Crefeld until 1929, is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located northwest of Düsseldorf, its centre lying just a few kilometres to the west of the River Rhine; the borough of Uerdingen is situated directly on the Rhine...
, settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Germantown is a neighborhood in the northwest section of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, about 7–8 miles northwest from the center of the city...
, in 1683. Swiss Mennonites came to North America in the early part of the 18th century. Their first settlements were in Pennsylvania, then in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. These Swiss immigrants, combined with Dutch and German Mennonites and progressive Amish Mennonite
Amish Mennonite
Amish Mennonites are a Christian church or constituency of Anabaptist heritage, that came into existence as a result of a division which took place in the Mennonite churches of Southern Germany, Eastern France and Switzerland in the late 17th century....
s who later united with them, until 2002 made up the largest body of Mennonites in North America (in the past often referred to as the "Old Mennonites"). They formed regional conferences in the 18th century, and a North American conference in 1898. The year 1725 is often considered the date of organization in the United States, when a ministers' conference met in Pennsylvania and adopted the Dordrecht Confession of Faith
Dordrecht Confession of Faith
The Dordrecht Confession of Faith is a statement of religious beliefs adopted by Dutch Mennonite leaders at a meeting in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, on April 21, 1632...
as their official statement of faith.
General Conference Mennonite Church (GCMC)
Merger
In 1983 the General Assembly of the Mennonite Church met jointly with the General Conference Mennonite Church in Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaBethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,...
, in celebration of 300 years of Mennonite witness in the Americas. Beginning in 1989, a series of consultations, discussions, proposals, and sessions (and a vote in 1995 in favor of merger) led to the unification of these two major North American Mennonite bodies into one denomination organized on two fronts - the Mennonite Church USA and the Mennonite Church Canada
Mennonite Church Canada
Mennonite Church Canada is the conference of Mennonites in Canada, with head offices in Winnipeg, Manitoba.The first Mennonites in Canada arrived from Pennsylvania in 1786. The majority of the Mennonites that migrated to Canada over the next 150 years came directly from Europe...
. The merger was "finalized" at a joint session in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
in 1999, and the Canadian branch moved quickly ahead. The United States branch did not complete their organization until the meeting in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
in 2001, which became effective February 1, 2002.
The merger of 1999-2002 at least partially fulfilled the desire of the founders of the General Conference Mennonite Church to create an organization under which all Mennonites could unite. Yet not all Mennonites favored the merger. The Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations
Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations
The Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations is an association of conservative evangelical Mennonite churches.-Background:The founding of the AMEC was the culmination of a movement to renew the 16th century Anabaptist emphasis on evangelism, coupled with concerns over doctrinal compromise...
represents one expression of the disappointment with the merger and the events that led up to it.
Convention and delegate assembly
Every other year, Mennonite Church USA holds a week-long, church-wide convention. The next convention will be Phoenix 2013, held July 1-6, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. Everyone within Mennonite Church USA is invited to attend the convention, and there are gatherings for adults, youth, junior youth and children (K-5, Preschool and Infants/Toddlers). During the convention, there are worship sessions, seminars, alumni gatherings, special dinners and many fun activities. Also, taking place during the convention is the Delegate Assembly. Delegates from local congregations, regional area conferences and constituency groups gather to develop vision and direction for the national denomination. Previous conventions have been held in Nashville, TennesseeNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Area conferences
|
New York Mennonite Conference New York Mennonite Conference is a regional conference of Mennonite Church USA comprising 16 churches scattered across upstate New York. Officially founded in 1973 as the NYS Mennonite Fellowship, its primary goal was to facilitate fellowship amongst congregations, while leaving most conference...
Virginia Mennonite Conference Virginia Mennonite Conference is a body of 65 Mennonite churches in the south-Atlantic region of the United States, consisting of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and the city of Washington D.C. There are also a few Conference churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. It is one of the regional...
|
Agencies
Mennonite Church USA maintains four church-wide ministry agencies: Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Education Agency, Mennonite Publishing Network, and Everence (formerly Mennonite Mutual Aid).Mennonite Education Agency
The mission of Mennonite Education Agency (MEA) is to strengthen the life, witness and identity of Mennonite Church USA through education. MEA helps provide leadership to Mennonite Schools Council, elementary and secondary schools throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. MEA also helps bring support and leadership to Mennonite colleges, universities, and seminaries located throughout the United States. MEA also works with various people and groups within Mennonite Church USA to help involve them and show the unique qualities of Mennonite education. MEA works with Mennonite Church USA to provide leadership to church educational programs.Colleges and seminaries
- Goshen CollegeGoshen CollegeGoshen College, is a private Mennonite liberal arts college in Goshen, Indiana, USA with an enrollment of around 1,000 students. The college is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities...
in Goshen, IndianaGoshen, IndianaGoshen is a city in and the county seat of Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. It is the smaller of the two principal cities of the Elkhart-Goshen Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn is part of the South Bend-Elkhart-Mishawaka Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the northern... - Bluffton UniversityBluffton UniversityBluffton University, located in Bluffton, Ohio, United States, is a Christian liberal arts college affiliated with Mennonite Church USA.It was founded in 1899 as Central Mennonite College and became Bluffton College in 1913...
in Bluffton, OhioBluffton, OhioBluffton is a village in Allen and Hancock counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. It had a population of 3,896 at the 2000 census. Bluffton is home to Bluffton University, a four-year educational institution affiliated with Mennonite Church USA. Bluffton is served by the Bluffton general aviation... - Bethel CollegeBethel CollegeBethel College can refer to:* Bethel College * Bethel College * Bethel College * Bethel University , called Bethel College until 2004* Bethel University , called Bethel College until 2009...
in North Newton, KansasNorth Newton, KansasNorth Newton is a city in Harvey County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,759. The city of Newton is located next to the city, but it not part of North Newton. North Newton is home of Bethel College, which has approximately 500 students.-Geography:North... - Eastern Mennonite UniversityEastern Mennonite UniversityEastern Mennonite University is a private liberal arts university in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, affiliated with one of the historic peace churches, the Mennonite Church USA. Its main campus is on the edge of the small city of Harrisonburg, Virginia, about three miles from state-owned...
in Harrisonburg, VirginiaHarrisonburg, VirginiaHarrisonburg is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia in the United States. Its population as of 2010 is 48,914, and at the 2000 census, 40,468. Harrisonburg is the county seat of Rockingham County and the core city of the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical... - Hesston CollegeHesston CollegeHesston College, a two-year college founded in 1909, is located in Hesston, Kansas, United States, north of Wichita. The college has an enrollment of about 450 students who typically come from about 30 states and 30 other countries...
in Hesston, KansasHesston, KansasHesston is a city in Harvey County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,709. Hesston is home of Hesston College, which has approximately 450 students.-19th century:... - Associated Mennonite Biblical SeminaryAssociated Mennonite Biblical SeminaryAssociated Mennonite Biblical Seminary is an accredited Christian seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, affiliated with Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA....
in Elkhart, IndianaElkhart, IndianaElkhart is a city in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The city is located east of South Bend, northwest of Fort Wayne, east of Chicago, and north of Indianapolis... - Eastern Mennonite SeminaryEastern Mennonite SeminaryEastern Mennonite Seminary is the graduate theological division of Eastern Mennonite University , which is an accredited Christian liberal arts university in Harrisonburg, Virginia. EMU was initially established as Eastern Mennonite College in 1917...
on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia
Secondary schools
- Bethany Christian High School
- Central Christian SchoolCentral Christian High School (Kidron, Ohio)Central Christian School is a private high school, middle school, and elementary school in Kidron, Ohio. It is a coed school, and they serve 232 students in grades 5 through 12. It is the first Mennonite high school in Ohio...
- Christopher Dock Mennonite High SchoolChristopher Dock Mennonite High School]Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, also known as Christopher Dock High School, is a private high school in Towamencin Township, Pennsylvania that is affiliated with the Franconia Mennonite Conference of the Mennonite Church USA. The school was named after schoolmaster Christopher Dock of...
- Eastern Mennonite High SchoolEastern Mennonite SchoolEastern Mennonite School is a K-12 private school in Harrisonburg, Virginia which is affiliated with the Mennonite Church USA.Eastern Mennonite School began in 1917 as a high school and Bible school, adding college classes as the institution grew...
- Freeman AcademyFreeman AcademyFreeman Academy is a private, Christian middle school and high school in Freeman, South Dakota, that serves students in grades 5-12. Founded in 1901, the school is affiliated with Mennonite Church, but welcomes students of all denominations. It serves the greater Freeman community primarily, but...
- Lancaster Mennonite High SchoolLancaster Mennonite SchoolLancaster Mennonite School is a private Christian school with four campuses in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Lancaster Campus, east of the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, serves students in grades six through twelve. The high school on the Lancaster Campus is known as Lancaster Mennonite...
- Philadelphia Mennonite High SchoolPhiladelphia Mennonite High SchoolPhiladelphia Mennonite High School is a private Mennonite high school in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has approximately 100 students in 9th through 12th grades, and focuses on college preparation.-History:...
- Iowa Mennonite SchoolIowa Mennonite SchoolIowa Mennonite School is a private Mennonite high school near Kalona, Iowa, established in 1945.- Student body :Between 75% and 80% of the students are Mennonite, although students from any religious background are welcome...
Vision statement
God calls us to be followers of Jesus Christ and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to grow as communities of grace, joy, and peace, so that God's healing and hope flow through us to the world.Purpose
Joining in God’s activity in the world, WE develop and nurture missional Mennonite congregations of many cultures. (Ephesians 3:1-13, Article 9, Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective)Priorities
All parts of Mennonite Church USA, united in vision and purpose, are committed to the following priorities between 2006 and then 2020.- Witness: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is practiced and proclaimed through a seamless web of evangelism, justice and peace across the street and around the world. (Luke 4:18-21; Matthew 12:15-21; Articles 10, 22, Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective)
- Anti-racism: We will honor the dignity and value of all Racial/Ethnic people in Mennonite Church USA, ensuring just and equitable access to church resources, positions and information as manifestations of the one new humanity in Christ. (Acts 10: Galatians 3:25-29, Ephesians 2:15; Article 9, Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective)
- Leadership Development: Church members with leadership gifts are called, trained and nurtured in Anabaptist theology and practice in order to fulfill the church’s missional vocation. (Exodus 18:13-23; Ephesians 4:7-16; Article 15, Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective)
- Global Connections: Mennonite Church USA fosters fellowship and develops partnerships with Anabaptists and the broader body of Christ around the world. (Revelation 5:9-10; Article 9, Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective)
Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective
A Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. provides a guide to the beliefs and practices of Mennonite Church USA. This confession was adopted in 1995 at a joint session of the Mennonite Church and General Conference Mennonite Church in Wichita, KansasWichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
. It contains 24 articles ranging from the more general Christian theologies of God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
, and the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
to the more distinct Foot Washing
Feet washing
Foot washing or washing of feet is a religious rite observed as an ordinance by several Christian denominations. The name, and even the spelling, of this practice is not consistently established, being variously known as foot washing, washing the saints' feet, pedilavium, and mandatum.For some...
, Truth and the Avoidance of Oaths, Peace, Justice, and Nonresistance, and The Church's Relation to Government and Society.
Sexuality discussions
As with many Christian denominations in the United States, Mennonite Church USA is no stranger to controversies regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. The Brethren Mennonite Council has been active since 1976 to encourage full inclusion for lesbianLesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
, gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
, bisexual, and transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
persons in the church. While as early as 1987, the constituent parts of MCUSA had issued the Purdue Statement, establishing heterosexuality as the only legitimate form of sexual expression. This position has resulted in many congregations and pastors being disciplined over the years for their inclusive membership practices. At the 2009 Convention in Columbus, Ohio, the Pink Menno Campaign witness brought the issue back into the open . With hundreds of youth convention participants and delegates wearing pink, MCUSA has been forced to reopen its discussions on human sexuality.
Life issues
The Mennonite Church USA takes a pro-life stance on abortion.They also oppose euthanasia and the capital punishment.
See also
- Christian Peacemaker TeamsChristian Peacemaker TeamsChristian Peacemaker Teams is an international organization set up to support teams of peace workers in conflict areas around the world. These teams believe that they can lower the levels of violence through nonviolent direct action, human rights documentation, and nonviolence training. CPT sums...
- Mennonite Central CommitteeMennonite Central CommitteeThe Mennonite Central Committee is a relief, service, and peace agency representing 15 Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and Amish bodies in North America. The U.S. headquarters are in Akron, Pennsylvania, the Canadian in Winnipeg, Manitoba.-History:...
- Mennonite Church USA ArchivesMennonite Church USA ArchivesThe Mennonite Church USA Archives was founded in 2001 under the denominational merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church...
- Mennonite Disaster ServiceMennonite Disaster ServiceThe Mennonite Disaster Service is a volunteer network through which various groups within the Anabaptist tradition assist people affected by disasters in North America...
- Schowalter FoundationSchowalter FoundationThe Schowalter Foundation is a Kansas-based Mennonite philanthropic foundation formed in 1954 from the estate of Jacob A. Schowalter of Newton, Kansas....