Mennonites remain diversified in their beliefs, but this article deals with some of the more common ones.
Beliefs Common to Basic Christianity
Mennonites continue to accept the basic beliefs found in the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. The Bible is the important revelation from God. Jesus is both human and divine, and is the savior.
Recently-Changed Mennonite Beliefs
Some beliefs or practices have changed over the last fifty years, at least in some Mennonite denominations. Among these are some practices in the communion service, in clothing, and in calling ministers.
It had been the practice that about a week prior to a communion service, the members of a congregation would ensure that no arguments or hard feelings remained unresolved. This met the biblical requirement that “there be no division among you”. Most modern Mennonite congregations no longer remind their members to do this.
Many communion services used to include a “foot washing” ceremony, repeating how Jesus had demonstrated that he was a servant to his disciples. The men and women performed this separately, in a symbolic act that nonetheless involved bare feet, basins of water and towels. Few Mennonite congregations still perform this part of a communion service.
While in the more conservative Mennonite denominations, women continue to wear “head coverings”, this is no longer required by most. The modern belief has changed from following the Apostle Paul’s instructions literally, to an interpretation of dressing in a “modest” manner relative to society’s standards.
For many years, most denominations called untrained laymen as part-time ministers. Most denominations now pay their pastors, who have relevant college or university degrees. As well, many modern Mennonite congregations have hired women for the top leadership positions in church ministry.
Some of the many smaller Mennonite denominations continue to follow patterns of belief and behavior such as foot washing or having women wear head coverings. Similarly, conservative Mennonites vary in their attitude towards automobiles, electricity via public utility lines, and telephones. Some continue to deny themselves these “worldly conveniences”; others place strict limits on their use; and others have begun to accept them. The more mainstream Mennonites, as noted in some other articles, have adopted modern inventions at exactly the same pace as the rest of society.
Modern Echoes of Civil Disobedience by Anabaptists
Two historic Anabaptist practices that conflicted with the state continue to influence modern Mennonite practice: the refusal to bear arms, and the refusal to swear oaths.
Conscientious objection, the refusal to take part in military service because of “conscience”, is now a privilege recognized by many countries. Often a term of alternative service is required for the conscientious objector. For example, Mennonite Church USA provides advice to conscientious objectors.
In court, a witness is asked to take an oath to tell the truth. The Anabaptist refusal to swear an oath is now accommodated in court by the alternative: to simply affirm that the testimony will be true. Many modern Mennonites would follow this practice, which is article 20 of the “Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, 1995”.
Other Articles about Mennonites
This article concludes a pair which started with early Mennonite beliefs. You may want to read the general article introducing Mennonite history, beliefs, practices and products to learn more.
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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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