Reformed Mennonite
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The Reformed Mennonite Church, with under 300 members in the United States and Canada, represents the first split from the main North American Mennonite body. Reformed Mennonites see themselves as true followers of Menno Simons' teachings and of the teachings of the New Testament. They have no church rules, but they rely solely on the Bible as their guide. The Reformed Mennonites practise nonresistance and therefore do not go to war, practise self-defence, or sue at the law. Also, they practise the Lord's Supper and adult baptism on confession of faith. Upon meeting, members greet with a kiss of charity as taught in 1 Peter 5. They practise feet washing as taught by Christ in John 13. They insist on strict separation from other denominations, and they use excommunication and shunning of former members. Members dress in conservative plain garb that preserves 18th century Mennonite details. However, they refrain from forcing the Mennonite faith on their children, allow their children to attend public schools, and have always permitted the use of automobiles. They are notable for being the church of Milton S. Hershey's mother and famous for the long and bitter ban of Robert Bear, a Pennsylvania farmer who rebelled against what he saw as dishonesty and disunity in the leadership.
[edit] References
- Scott, Stephen (1996), An Introduction to Old Order and Conservative Mennonite Groups, Intercourse, Pennsylvania : Good Books, ISBN 1-56148-101-7
[edit] External links
- Reformed Mennonite Church in Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online
