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Post by Josh on Jan 23, 2011 9:13:40 GMT -8
stevekimes,
So, I have some question about Mennonites. I know a bit about Menno Simons, and I know a fair amount about the general anabaptist movement, but I don't really know anything about how modern Mennonites organize themselves?
I'm going to guess that it's more of a way of life than an organization? Is that true. How does one become a "Mennonite" pastor. Is it just a decision to live a certain way or does some other Mennonite sanction it?
Also, are your congregations "Mennonite" or is it just something you personally claim?
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Post by stevekimes on Jan 24, 2011 1:15:32 GMT -8
I'll answer this tomorrow as it's past one in the morning and I should get at least a little sleep.
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Post by stevekimes on Jan 25, 2011 9:04:15 GMT -8
For those who don't know much about Mennonites or Anabaptism, here's a couple articles: Mennonites: nowheretolayhishead.org/whataremennonites.htmlAnabaptists:26anabaptistdistinctives.blogspot.com/2010/09/what-does-it-mean-to-be-anabaptist.htmlMennonites are organized communities that usually, but not always, revolve around denominations. The largest denomination is Mennonite Church, which is what I belong to and have my pastoral credentials with. There are many other denominations, including Mennonite Brethren, many conservative Mennonites (where women usually wear head coverings) and Amish. I became a Mennonite pastor by doing work in a Mennonite congregation. In this case, I planted my congregation, Anawim, they were accepted as a member congregation of the Mennonite church and then the congregation requested that I have credentials. The movement side is called Anabaptism, which is the old name for Mennonites. A person can be an anabaptist without any formal association with the Mennonites, and many Mennonites make bad anabaptists. The Mennonite "lifestyle" is usually seen as the conservative Mennonite groups. Most Mennonites aren't culturally restrictive, except in the way all Christians are a little. Many anabaptists do encourage simplicity, but how that is lived out is up to the person. Our way is to live in community with the poor. Obviously. But this is rare among both anabaptists and Mennonites.
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