What is a Mennonite?

Th e Mennonite Church has been in existence for more than 450 years, with now over 1 million members in 62 countries. Although they live, work and worship differently, the thousands of congregations count themselves as one family of faith -- one of many faith families in the Christian church.

Like Lutherans who were named after Martin Luther, Mennonites were nicknamed after an early Dutch leader, Menno Simons. But just as Menno Simons was a follower of Christ, so Mennonites today are followers of Christ, not of Menno.

The basic beliefs of Mennonites start with the need to believe in Jesus Christ as the model for life. We believe that the church is made of people whose sins have been forgiven through Christ, and who choose to follow Christ's teachings. Here are the ABC's of Mennonite beliefs.

Authority of Scripture. The community of believers is helped by God's Spirit to understand God's Word, and to live in obedience to that Word.

Believers Baptism. Water baptism is a sign of one's decision to make a public commitment to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Centrality of Christ. "No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Cor.3:11, NIV). Jesus is key to our understanding of God and Scripture, and it is to Jesus that we give full allegiance and obedience.

Discipleship as a way of Life. To claim salvation in Jesus is to become a follower of Jesus, living as Jesus taught. An early Mennonite saying was, "No one can truly know Christ except one follow him in life."

Evangelism of the whole Person. God's concern for humankind includes wholeness -- spiritual, physical, social, and emotional. So the Good News brings hope and healing in all areas of human life, and for all people.

Fellowship of Believers. We need each other for encouragement and growth, for teaching and counsel, and for help in time of crisis. The church grows in faith, unity, service and witness when it is a caring and loving community.

Good toward Enemies. Those who are followers of Christ are to extend love to all, including even enemies, just as God has done to us. Led by the Spirit of Christ, we follow in the way of peace, mercy, and justice.

For more information about Mennonites visit www.MennoniteUSA.org, the Mennonite information Center or take a look through the Confession of Faith from a Mennonite Perspective.