Mennonites - First Mennonite Church

We welcome you to contact or visit us anytime!

First Mennonite Church
203 E Lawrence St
PO Box 508
Middlebury, IN 46540

Phone:

(574) 825-5135

Fax: (574) 825-2569
E-mail: fmcoffice@firstmennonite.net
Visit our website: http://www.firstmennonite.
net

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Who are these Mennonites?

First Mennonite Church belongs to Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference, one of the area conferences of Mennonite Church USA. The worldwide fellowship of Mennonites is expressed in Mennonite World Conference.

Where do Mennonites come from?
Mennonites are descendents of the radical wing of the 16th century Reformation in Europe known as Anabaptists. Out of the ferment of this revolutionary time, the various peaceful Anabaptist streams were brought together by a former Dutch priest named Menno Simons. So influential was he in his ministry that not only the Dutch groups but also the Swiss groups adopted his name, hence the term "Mennonites."

An 18th century split in Europe resulted in some Mennonites becoming known as Amish, after their leader, Jacob Amman. Many Amish Mennonites were reincorporated into the Mennonite mainstream in the 19th century in North America. The Old Order Amish are the best known group that has retained their Amish identity and traditional rural community life by shunning many of the common conveniences of modern life.

Menno-Hof in nearby Shipshewana, Indiana is an excellent interpretive center for Mennonites and Amish in our community.

What do Mennonites believe?
Mennonites hold many beliefs in common with other Christians. Beliefs and emphases which are central to Christian faith as understood by most Mennonites include the following:

Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord.
Voluntary entrance into the church via confession of faith and baptism.
The community of faith as the context for living out the Christian life.
The way of peace and justice in all human relationships
Sharing and mutual aid
Extending Christ's rule in the world through both a personal call to faith and selfless service to humanity.

For more discussion about contemporary Mennonite beliefs, see the Third Way Cafe, especially the section "Who are the Mennonites."