Menoities? (spelling not sure)

[Guest hubertdorm]

Thanks salt and light, and thank you Chief

[papasangel]

Other books you may enjoy are Old Order mennonites by Daniel Lee, Introductionn to Mennonite Doctrine and Practice by Null and Glimpses of mennonite History and Doctrine by Wenger.

Also there is a place called Christian light publications in Harrisonburg VA that have a lot of books and is where I get my school curriculum at.

[miyako_1984]

Hi there...

Our church building is plain, with no pictures, crosses, etc..

I have purposely omitted mention of speaking in tongues and other gifts of the Spirit, not through forgetfulness but in the spirit of not desiring to be contentious. Other churches may accept such, and for that church, this would be acceptable.

Hope I answered a few questions...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Chief!

Think I've just discovered what church one of my friends is part of! But if you are still around to answer questions (and I don't mean it as an open season on Mennonites)- why no crosses? And do you mean by not wanting to be contentious- although I realise you don't want to go too deeply into this- you do believe in the gifts of the spirit (like tongues) or you don't?

thanks a million

miyako

PS: i'm from the UK and a very simple church- what's an 'altar call'?

[papasangel]

I will try to answer the question miyako.

The Mennonites believe that salvation for all mankind through God's merciful plan of redemption. The Christian life is built upon the foundation of faith in the provisions of the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the power of His ressurection. We do not use the cross as a symbol to represent Christ. We do acknowledge that He did die on the cross for us.

We believe in Baptism by pouring of water over our heads yes but that does not reflect the only meaning of baptism for us. We also believe in the Holy Ghost baptism. Water baptism is reserved for those who confess their faith and upon evidence of genuine repentence and conversion. (The vivible church is composed of a local body of believers and the invisible church is composed of all true saints thoughout the ages.

We practice communion and feetwashing, greet one another with the Holy kiss. We also believe in marriage between one man and one woman is a lifelong committment dissolvable only by death of a spouse. We do not practice polygamy as it is not not part of Gods plan for harmony in the marriage.

Women wear the headship covering aka known as the prayer vieling. This signifys our obedience to God under the headship of our husband whose headship is Christ who is the Son of God.

We believe in annointing with oil for illness in conjunction with medical help. The oilk itself we do not believe heals but is symbolic of our faith that God is all powerful and has the ability to provide healing if its His will.

We practce nn resistance which is not to be confused with pacificism which has political tones to it. Turn the other cheek is literally a way of life in which we forgive those who persecute us.

Each congregation is to help others in need either in our own congregation or other congregations. WE are our brothers keeper so to speak and when someone has a need the church membership as a whole try to meet the needs of those in difficulty. This has happened with us and our church. When they saw we had a need they helped provide for those needs until we could get back on our feet.

I do hope this has helped answer your question. As to speaking in tongues, if there is someone who God provides to interpet as per biblical guidelines then yes we do acknowledge it. But we do not believe that tongues are to be a part of our worship to the Lord.

[Can Do (Phil 4:13)]

The women are seated to the left as you walk in, and the men to the right.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How come this is so Chief or Papas? Aren't we all one family in Christ? I don't understand the importance of men and women sitting seperatly. The only conclusion that I can arrive at, is that it would bring the women closer together as sisters and the men together as brothers. Is this correct?

With much agape love,

Faithie

[Guest The Chief]

Can Do,

In the sanctuary, the ladies Sunday School classrooms are to the left as you enter (as is the nursery) and the mens classrooms are to the right. When the bell for the main service is rung, the congregants can move directly to their pews with a minimum of fuss. Also, we have found that by doing so, the members are more inclined to listen to the message than to each other while in church.

Miyako,

I personally do not ascribe to the present-day use of the gifts of the Spirit (such as speaking in tongues.) This does in no means mean that I would wish to come into conflict with those whom do ascribe to the gifts. Different denominations have (sometimes) different interpretations of Scripture; I would rather concentrate on those things in which we agree than those in which we disagree.

An "Altar Call" is an invitation to those lost individuals whom the Holy Spirit had convicted during the service to come forward to the altar and personally hear how to become a Christian, and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ...

[Can Do (Phil 4:13)]

Can Do,

In the sanctuary, the ladies Sunday School classrooms are to the left as you enter (as is the nursery) and the mens classrooms are to the right. When the bell for the main service is rung, the congregants can move directly to their pews with a minimum of fuss. Also, we have found that by doing so, the members are more inclined to listen to the message than to each other while in church.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok Chiefy, be patient with me (as you always are)... WHY do the men and women separate? Is it, as you say..that the members are more inclined to LISTEN to the message? What about the children? What age to they attend Sunday School? Do the mothers to leave the congregation and go to a special creche? Thanks Chief, you are a rockin brother and I appreciate your love and patience with me about this.

With much agape love

Faithie

[Guest The Chief]

To my knowledge, Can Do, that is the reasoning behind the separation (and it seems to work quite well in general). Children begin Sunday School based on their ages and understanding (I believe our youngest kids are around 5, but I haven't asked). Younger than that, they are either in the Nursery (directly behind the ladies seating area) or are seated with one of the parents. Those seated in the sanctuary who become distracting (crying, talking, etc) are quickly but quietly removed from the sanctuary and are taken to the Nursery until they quiet down, so as not to interfere with the message.

I have no idea what a "creche" is...if by this do you mean a group of believers of the same sex, I believe this may be true. After services, you may notice, for the most part, men will visit with men, and women with women. Part of the culture, I guess, although there are several sisters that I will have a few words with after services while still in the church...

[Guest hubertdorm]

I personally enjoy holding my luv's hand during the service, but I can understand how this would be frowned upon by some. Affection between spouses isn't much of a distraction to me, but you'll never see kissing inside the building unless it's a wedding lol.

[Can Do (Phil 4:13)]

Thanks Chiefy, and please call me Faithie. A creche is where the mothers and babies go during the worship service. Thanks for being so patient and answering all my questions. What a great brother you are

Faithie