Mennonite Brethren Church

The Mennonite Brethren Churches (English Mennonite Brethren ) are pietistic affected communities and local authorities within the Mennonite confessional family.

History

The first Mennonite Brethren originated in 1860 as a reform movement among the settled in the Ukraine and Russia, Russian-German Mennonites. A major role was played by a native of Württemberg Pietist Eduard Wüst. The Moravians have influenced the development of the Mennonite Brethren churches theologically.

Crucial for the formation of the Mennonite Brethren Churches was the criticism of the rigid formalized community life of the German-Russian Mennonites. Already in December 1859, a group of Mennonites together to celebrate the Lord's Supper without the presence of a parish council. As a result, declared in January 1860 in Elisabethtal in the colony of Molotschna Mennonites eighteen their withdrawal from the church and founded an independent municipality. Later planted churches in other places. They talked among themselves with brother and sister and chose its own head. The Mennonite Brethren understood the break with the other Mennonite communities themselves as a return to the principles of the Reformation Baptist. In their preaching repentance and conversion of the individual played a key role. Accordingly, the church discipline was emphasized. The superintendent of the Mennonite churches practicing rings reacted to start with exclusions to the new church movement. But in 1864 the Mennonite Brethren churches were finally recognized by the Russian government formally as a second Mennonite church movement. In May 1872 the first time a national federal conference was held, which was held every year from then until the First World War. The first creed of the Mennonite Brethren Churches was decided in 1873, but was present only in 1876 in printed form. After the Mennonite emigration to North America larger municipalities and municipal associations also emerged there.

Dissemination and organization

Meanwhile, found in approximately 20 countries Mennonite Brethren Churches. Worldwide, their number is estimated at about 300,000. Many of them are in the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren ( ICOMB ), in 1990 on the edge of the Mennonite World Conference in Winnipeg, Canada established itself, networked.

In Germany, the communities, among others, in the Association of Mennonite Brethren Churches in Germany ( AMBD ) and the Association of Mennonite Brethren Churches in Bavaria ( VMBB ) have joined forces. Russia German dominated communities can be found in the covenant Taufgesinnter communities ( BTG ). In Austria, the Mennonites Austria ( MFÖ ) is attributable to the Mennonite Brethren Churches. The AMBD, BTG and the MFÖ at the international level, according to a member of the ICOMB. Also, about one third of the municipalities of the Brotherhood of Christian communities in Germany (BCD ) see themselves as Mennonite Brethren Churches. There are also autonomous communities outside of churches / community associations.

Principle

Mennonite Brethren Churches share with other Mennonite faith principles as the believer's baptism, the rejection of the oath, the violence, the autonomy of the church ( = local church understanding ) and the priesthood of all believers. Decisive for the faith of the individual is the Bible, and especially the Sermon on the Mount. Mennonite Brethren Churches emphasize how other pietists but more the individual or subjective approach to faith and the role of the laity. An important role in private devotions or home groups. As a form of baptism Mennonite Brethren churches practicing almost exclusively baptism by immersion (immersion).

Relation to ecclesiastical Mennonites

As part of the anniversary celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Mennonite Brethren Churches on May 26, 2010, there were by some in associations federated Mennonite Brethren Churches a "Statement of Reconciliation " to the church Mennonites. It is asked for " spiritual arrogance " for forgiveness and " pride and lovelessness " regrets " were expressed in unbrüderlichem Decline of siblings, hurtful refusal of the Community and in contemptuous attitude towards other Mennonite churches ." Together they want to " be open for clarifying discussions and possible cooperation ." The statement was read out on behalf of the AMBD, the BTG and the VMBB.