Different Christian denominations have internal structures for each local congregation and also organizational structures at national or international levels. How are the Mennonite churches organized?
Local Congregation and Larger Organizations
Mennonite church organizations, or denominations, generally have the following characteristics:
- Local Mennonite congregations make many decisions for themselves, such as choosing their own minister(s).
- Local congregations select lay persons to provide significant leadership in setting priorities for their ministry to their own members and for their outreach to their communities.
- The local congregations, or their individual members, are members of a regional or national organization.
- The regional organization provides certain resources and services, such as the training and recognition of credentialed ministers.
- Regional or national organizations co-operate with others in the same denomination.
- Most international relationships are based on co-operation and collaboration rather than on a hierarchy.
Examples of Large Mennonite Church Organizations
Mennonite churches are generally organized at a national level, and then by region. For example, Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada serve their own countries. These national and regional organizations are concerned with the credentials of the pastors, doctrine and policy, among many other responsibilities.
The US Mennonite Brethren and the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches are the corresponding Mennonite Brethren organizations for these countries.
Mennonite World Conference coordinates and facilitates co-operation among the national churches. This site includes far more details than this article could support, such as lists of member churches outside of North America, and also other denominations which share in the Anabaptist heritage.
Mennonite Mission Network is the missions agency for Mennonite Church USA. It functions in many ways: as religious missionary organization; in leadership training; and as a focal point for a variety of Mennonite relief and service agencies.
A Bottom-Up View of Mennonite Church Organizations
It might be useful to consider a single example of Mennonite church relationships, as viewed from a local perspective. The city of Toronto would not be considered a focal point for Mennonites in Ontario or Canada. Yet over a dozen churches exist in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in the Mennonite Church Canada denomination alone.
Most of these congregations are self-supporting, although some are quite young and still “emerging”. Several serve specific language or ethnic backgrounds such as Chinese. Others mix the descendants of ethnic Mennonites with other English-speaking Canadians.
These churches form a loosely affiliated “GTA cluster”, partly to encourage the ministers to maintain contact. Formally, these congregations are part of the Mennonite Church of Eastern Canada which stretches from Ontario through Atlantic Canada. Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite World Conference are their national and international organizations.
Some of the “GTA cluster” congregations also work together or provide board members for joint projects on an ongoing basis. Most are not “religious” services, but include fund-raising events such as an annual relief sale, a summer day camp, and a supportive ministry for homeless and marginalized people. In most cases, these projects are also supported by non-Mennonite churches.
Other Articles about Mennonites
The next article deals with modern Mennonite relief agencies and service organizations. You might return to the general article introducing Mennonite history, beliefs, practices and products.
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Mike DeHaan - Copyright (c) Mike DeHaan, B. Math., of DeHaan Services. Well written and well researched freelance articles; ghost writing for clients.
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