CHRISTENDOM Series: Anabaptist / Mennonite

MENNONITE (ANABAPTIST)

(Mainline Protestant)

Buried with him in baptism,

Mennos Simon

wherein also ye are risen with him..
Colossians 2:12

Anabaptists were originally part of the "radical reformation" wing of the Reformation. Their main focus was originally baptism at the age of consent. Of the 3 big reformers (Luther, Calvin & Zwingli) they were most heavily influenced by Zwingli through the Swiss Brethren.
Groups of Anabaptists include Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites, Brethren & the Christian Apostolic Church.
The name Anabaptist, means "one who baptizes again", was given to them by others in reference to the practice of re-baptizing converts. As for the "radical reformation", the Anabaptists of the time who were caught up in it included dancing and speaking in tongues as well as dabbling in mysticism. The Anabaptists developed into a pacifist religion. Heavy focus is on the New Testament.

3 Types of Mennonites -
1- Old Order (similar living standards as Amish)
2- Conservative (use electricity, phones, some have computers, but shun worldly entertainment & strictly follow Mennonite faith)
3- Progressive (can't tell them from the world around them)

---Main Church---

 Mennonite Church USA -  2002,

Consists of a merger of several Mennonite denominations. (Mostly made up of Dutch, Swiss & German Mennonites who came to colonial America.) Some of the Mennonite conferences are in rebellion over gay marriage & allow clergy to perform them. They no longer live in communities with strict dress codes, but live among the general populace around them. About 97,000 members.

 
---Others---
Franconia Mennonite Conference - 1683, organized in Pennsylvania & claim to be able to trace their line of bishops back to 1527. Has become a very liberal branch of the Mennonites, having gay & transgender laity & gay clergy. About 7,000 members.

Lancaster Mennonite Conference - 1711, by Swiss immigrants to Pennsylvania. Allows women ordination today.
River Brethren - 1770, Swiss settlers along the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. About 11,000 members.
Old Order River Brethren - 1778, in Pennsylvania, with only about 300 members left.
Reformed Mennonite Church - 1812, they use cars & send their children to public schools but still dress as they did in the 1800's. Started by Francis Herr who was kicked out of the

Mennonites larger body because of his preaching against their straying away from pure Mennonite teachings. Less than 300 members left.
Virginia Mennonite Conference - 1835, Mennonite organization for the southeast & border states.
United Zion Church - 1855, followers of a bishop who was kicked out of the River Brethren. About 1,000 members.
Bible Fellowship Church - 1858, Started as a revival for evangelizing, which was frowned on by the bishops. About 7,000 members.
The Church of God in Christ, Mennonite - 1859, started as a revivalist

movement for more focus on church discipline & child training. Also, men wear beards & women head coverings. They also consider themselves to not only be closer followers of Mennos Simon (founder of the Mennonite faith) but also spiritually tied to the Waldenses. Their education stresses Creation science. About 22,000 members.
 US Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (USMB) - 1860, by Ukrainian & Russian Mennonites who were influenced by Lutherans & Hussites before coming to America. About 2,000 members.
Mennonite Brethren Church - 1860, broke away from main Mennonite bodies over the Lord's Supper with some of the not-fully sanctified members. Made up of German speaking

Mennonites in Russia who then came to America. About 26,000 members.
Fellowship of Evangelical Churches (FEC) - 1866, withdrew from the Amish to join the Mennonites. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Strong ties to Berne, Indiana. About 5,000 members.
Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches - 1889, organized in U.S. by Russian Mennonites. About 4,000 members.
Groffdale Conference (Wenger) Mennonite Church - 1927, Mennonites who use electricity, but shun modern standards of living & use horse & buggies. About 1,200 members.
Horning Church (or Black-bumper Mennonites) - 1927, called "Black Bumper" for being the first Mennonites to openly use cars, but they hold to their old ways on other living standards.
Weaverland Old Order Mennonite Conference - 1927, use of cars, but hold to traditional living standards. About 4,000 members.
Bible Mennonite Fellowship (BMF) - 1958, tiny group started in Oregon.

Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference (EMMC) - 1959, only 2 congregations in U.S.
Illinois Mennonite Conference - 1st Mennonite group to ordain women, considers itself to be multi-cultural with various racial backgrounds in denomination. About 6,000 members.
New York Mennonite Conference - 1973, a loose confederation of NY Mennonites with independent organized congregations.
Hopewell Network of Churches - 1970's, known as Mennonite "holy rollers", charismatic Mennonites (speak in tongues). About 2,000 members.
Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations (AMEC) - 2002, a more conservative group of Mennonites who resisted the merger that led to the Mennonite Church USA, because they felt they were watering down the authority of Scripture.

CHRISTENDOM Series Outline Link:
http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2015/06/christendom-series-outline.html