What we believe

The international Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith was written by an international committee representing a variety of cultural perspectives. The first part is narrative. The second part says as much about who we are as whatwe believe.

PEOPLE OF THE COVENANT COMMUNITY

In the church, the covenant community, believers commit themselves to worship together, pray as Christ taught us, to fellowship, and to care for one another.

Believer's Baptism

People from all cultures, nations, and languages who are willing to follow Jesus as obedient disciples confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and are baptized by water into the fellowship of the church. The Mennonite Brethren church baptizes by immersion.

Lord's Supper

In the Supper the church identifies with the life of Christ given for the redemption of humanity and proclaims the Lord's death and resurrection until he comes. This Supper of remembrance expresses reconciliation, fellowship, peace, and unity of all believers with Christ.

Accountability

The church interprets God's will, discerning what is right and what is wrong. AII believers hold each other accountable for a Christ­like walk of faith. The purpose of accountability is to heal and restare through repentance and not punish or condemn. The church excludes those who consistently disregard discipline.In the Supper the church identifies with the life of Christ given for the redemption of humanity and proclaims the Lord's death and resurrection until he comes. This Supper of remembrance expresses reconciliation, fellowship, peace, and unity of all believers with Christ.

Priesthood of all believers

The Spirit of God gives all believers gifts for service to build up the body of Christ. The church discerns the call of God and confirms servant leaders who equip people for ministry.

Scripture re/erences: Matt. 16, 13-20; 18, 15-20; 28, 18-20; Acts 2,37-47; Rom 6,3-4; 1 Cor. 11,23-32; 12-14; Eph. 4,11-16; Col. 2,12-13; Hebr. 10,24-25; 1 Petr. 2,9-10;4, 10-11

PEOPLE OF RECONCILIATION

Jesus carne announcing the Kingdom of God. The mission of Jesus was to reconcile humans with God, each other and the world. The church is called to participate in God's mission.

Mission:

Christ has commissioned the church to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all his commandments. Jesus teaches that disciples are to love God and neighbor by telling the good news and by doing acts of !ove and compassion. Since Jesus is the only way of salvation, the evangelistic imperative is given to all believers.

Peace witness:

Peace and reconciliation are at the heart of the Christian gospel. Jesus calls the community of faith to be peacemakers in all situations. We believe that peace with God includes a commitment to the way reconciliation was modeled by the Prince of Peace. As Christians we are called to turn from lifestyle choices that harm us, to choices that nurture wholeness, healing, joy and peace and from hating enemies and ignoring neighbors to showing love and justice to ali.

Family:

God blesses singleness, marriage and family. God calls all people to live a sexually pure life. Marriage is a life-long covenant commitment of one man and one woman. Godly parents instruct their children in the faith. The church nurtures family life and makes every effort to bring reconciliation to troubled relationships.

State:

God has given the state the responsibility to promote the well-being of all people. Followers of Christ respect and pray for government authorities but resist the temptation to give the state the devotion that is owed to God. The primary allegiance of all Christians is to Christ's kingdom and his global church. In each state and society Christians cooperate with others to defend the weak, reduce strife, care for the poor, and pro mote justice, peace and truth.

Scripture re/erences: Matt. 5-7; 22,34-40; 28, 18-20; Luke 4, 18-19; 10,25-37; Rom. 12, 17-13, 10; 2 Cor. 5, 17-6,2; Eph. 2; 5,21-6,4; 1 T1m 2, 1-6;Jam. 2; 1 Petr. 2,21-25

PEOPLE OF HOPE

The Church belongs to the in-breaking Kingdom of God. The citizens of the Kingdom model an alternative community, challenging godless values of this world’s cultures. The people of God join in the struggle for justice, yet are prepared to suffer persecution knowing that sin, guilt and death will not prevail. Confident in this hope the church engages in mission until the Lord returns, empowered by the certainty that God will create a new heaven and a new earth. ​

Scripture references: Matt. 5, 10-12; 10, 7; 13, 24-25; Mark 1, 15; 13; Luke 17,20-37; 21,5- 36; Tít. 2, 11-14; Rev. 21-22

PART 1

HOW DOES GOD WORK
IN THE WORLD

PART 2

HOW DO MENNONITE BRETHREN RESPOND TO GOD'S PURPOSE?