Post by anabean on Nov 2, 2007 11:51:01 GMT -5
My wife and I are Mennonites, and are proving members of the Beachy Mennonite Church right now. We have had some thoughts and some very postive reactions here in our part of NC. We had thought about getting with like-minded believers, and starting a new church here centered on the faith of the New Testament. I would not declare myself pastor or anything like that since I do not feel that is right. We would after a while either allow the congregation to select several ministers for the church and then of course deacons and other offices as well; or we would try and invite another person skilled and wise to be one of our ministers from either a good baptist or mennonite church. The Church would be called the Baptist-Mennonite Church to signify our beliefs to others. Baptist meaning we believe in immersion as the most proper mode of baptism and evangelism; and Mennonite adhering to other biblical doctrines like the headcovering, nonresistance, nonswearing, being a disciple, and having a church in unity and of one accord. Some of the ideas get more complicated as we go...and it would take a lot of time. This is only if the it turns out to be the Lord's will. If not, then we will remain members of our Mennonite Church.
Here is something written up as a rough draft for some of the thoughts:
Qualifications of Areas in the Church
Baptism: Must be saved, born again, and producing some fruit of the bible. Must be repentant and a new creature. Must have a desire to continue to learn and reject this world’s gods. Must reject obvious things such as: Wordly Music,dancing, and other sins and devices named so in the Bible.
New Convert Training and Discipleship Training: Must be saved. This also gives the new convert an opportunity to learn more about the church, and to see whether they wish to unite with the local congregation. Teaches submission to God and His Word, and to one another if they are not going against the Word. Also at a certain point, the women will train the ladies and the men will train the new young convert men.
Communion: Must be saved,baptized, and in God’s will.
Congregational Membership: (THIS IS THE AREA THAT NEEDS MOST WORK)
Must be saved, baptized, in Gods will, producing fruit of a Christian, and have a desire to continue in the Faith and serve Jesus with all your heart. Must have been instructed in the faith through Discipleship training. These fruits that must be manifest are those in Galatians Chapter 5, and a following of the Sermon on the Mount, Prayer and Bible Studying, as well as forsaking the god’s and things of this world and old man. Things currently that need to be forsaked to prove you wish to deny this world and it’s god’s and pleasures: Being a part of a worldly sports organization or being in a league, being in a secret society, television itself or ONLY using a television for the Lord’s Work...ONLY...meaning having no antennae or cable connection...only using pre-made videos that are biblical or home videos , radios with connection to the air in home or in vehicle IF possible...CD’s and personal godly media allowed, internet connection in the home UNLESS you can only view certain websites which we consider educational or biblical and family-oriented, video games, ungodly workplaces inclduing those with the union, wordly hairstyles and clothings (no specifics at all...these things to be judged by the individual), and anything else that has the great potential to harm the church and has the apperance of evil. (Of course obvious things need not be mentioned here) Before membership is given, there will be a time of proving for the candidate.
To Be in Unity with the Brethren and Sisters of the Church: This is a voluntary, individual decision. Inspect yourself and make sure you are saved. You can call or ask how to be in unity with the Brethren and Sisters of the Church who are of one mind and accord at any time. The Church will then set an informal gathering to teach the candidate about this and there may be a fellowship meal to show appreciation for the self-denial and the want to be with the Church in unity. If the fellowship meal will offend any not in unity....we will not have one. This will be brought before the entire church before the unity meeting is conducted. There are no qualifications to ask how to be in unity...but we would urge you to make sure you are saved and are 100% sure you have prayed and this is the right direction and God wills for your life. Being in unity with the church is a great step in a believer’s life. God commands us to be in one accord and of one mind. Thus, we try to do so in all areas of life, practice, and doctrine. We believe in liberty of the conscience and believe that members do not have to make this choice and we do not look down on those who do not wish to be in unity nor do we think less of them...but we think of them as brethren and are to love and treat them the exact same. Any notice of someone being treated less will be dealt with immediately. Anyone who chooses to make this decision will be taught how to be in unity with the brethren of the church in the informal meetings. Things to be in unity on will be:
-Clothing, Attire, and Apperance the brethren and sisters have agreed on as to modest and right with God; not being conformed to this world.
-Things we should reject of this world, and places we should not go. (meaning not obvious places)
-Doctrines and Teachings of the Word of God
-Things we consider vain and useless...and things not needed at the home to make sure the home is simple and not over-adorned. Things that would bring pride and envy to be shunned.
Make it clear that these standards we agree on (but are not forced) are not for salvation and in no way merit to it. Our standards are not the Law of God, but are applications to the scriptures where God tells us to be not conformed to this world, to wear modest apparel, to love not the world, to come out and be separate from but in the world, for unity and one accord, and finally for the safety of our families.
Positions and Offices of the Church: Must be saved, baptized, in God’s will and bearing much fruit, meeting all the qualifications found in the scriptures for specific offices, and must also be in one accord and in unity with the church and a person who is not self-willed as said in the scriptures. Any breach of these will cause one to immediately lose position unless they come back to previous understanding.
Excommunication: The Church can only excommunicate for the reasons laid out in the scriptures. If a member decides they do not want to be unity any longer, we cannot excommunicate them for this, nor can we excommunicate a member that never decides to be unity. We cannot excommunicate a member who begins to become more worldly (example:someone decides to wear wordly but not revealing apparel) unless they become sinful again. We can only admonish those who become more worldly and love them. We cannot excommunicate someone for believing heretically unless they are teaching the other members their wrong doctrines. People will be excommunicated according to the rule in the scriptures...and those who are excommunicated will be welcomed back to the church upon repentance and confession.
Of course again this is a rough draft, and only a few of the simple things we would be dealing with that would be different from mainstream churches. We would love people and tell them the reason for all of these things. However, if someone did not agree with our church they can decide not to join us and join one of the many churches of the world that overdo the "liberty of conscience" doctrine....there are MANY churches that already teach that overboard and we are not looking to waste our time in becoming another one of those...there are plenty. Any one have any thoughts, ideas, or rebukes? Need some help.....the Bible says in the multitude of counsellors there is safety....not in one person.
Anabean!
Here is something written up as a rough draft for some of the thoughts:
Qualifications of Areas in the Church
Baptism: Must be saved, born again, and producing some fruit of the bible. Must be repentant and a new creature. Must have a desire to continue to learn and reject this world’s gods. Must reject obvious things such as: Wordly Music,dancing, and other sins and devices named so in the Bible.
New Convert Training and Discipleship Training: Must be saved. This also gives the new convert an opportunity to learn more about the church, and to see whether they wish to unite with the local congregation. Teaches submission to God and His Word, and to one another if they are not going against the Word. Also at a certain point, the women will train the ladies and the men will train the new young convert men.
Communion: Must be saved,baptized, and in God’s will.
Congregational Membership: (THIS IS THE AREA THAT NEEDS MOST WORK)
Must be saved, baptized, in Gods will, producing fruit of a Christian, and have a desire to continue in the Faith and serve Jesus with all your heart. Must have been instructed in the faith through Discipleship training. These fruits that must be manifest are those in Galatians Chapter 5, and a following of the Sermon on the Mount, Prayer and Bible Studying, as well as forsaking the god’s and things of this world and old man. Things currently that need to be forsaked to prove you wish to deny this world and it’s god’s and pleasures: Being a part of a worldly sports organization or being in a league, being in a secret society, television itself or ONLY using a television for the Lord’s Work...ONLY...meaning having no antennae or cable connection...only using pre-made videos that are biblical or home videos , radios with connection to the air in home or in vehicle IF possible...CD’s and personal godly media allowed, internet connection in the home UNLESS you can only view certain websites which we consider educational or biblical and family-oriented, video games, ungodly workplaces inclduing those with the union, wordly hairstyles and clothings (no specifics at all...these things to be judged by the individual), and anything else that has the great potential to harm the church and has the apperance of evil. (Of course obvious things need not be mentioned here) Before membership is given, there will be a time of proving for the candidate.
To Be in Unity with the Brethren and Sisters of the Church: This is a voluntary, individual decision. Inspect yourself and make sure you are saved. You can call or ask how to be in unity with the Brethren and Sisters of the Church who are of one mind and accord at any time. The Church will then set an informal gathering to teach the candidate about this and there may be a fellowship meal to show appreciation for the self-denial and the want to be with the Church in unity. If the fellowship meal will offend any not in unity....we will not have one. This will be brought before the entire church before the unity meeting is conducted. There are no qualifications to ask how to be in unity...but we would urge you to make sure you are saved and are 100% sure you have prayed and this is the right direction and God wills for your life. Being in unity with the church is a great step in a believer’s life. God commands us to be in one accord and of one mind. Thus, we try to do so in all areas of life, practice, and doctrine. We believe in liberty of the conscience and believe that members do not have to make this choice and we do not look down on those who do not wish to be in unity nor do we think less of them...but we think of them as brethren and are to love and treat them the exact same. Any notice of someone being treated less will be dealt with immediately. Anyone who chooses to make this decision will be taught how to be in unity with the brethren of the church in the informal meetings. Things to be in unity on will be:
-Clothing, Attire, and Apperance the brethren and sisters have agreed on as to modest and right with God; not being conformed to this world.
-Things we should reject of this world, and places we should not go. (meaning not obvious places)
-Doctrines and Teachings of the Word of God
-Things we consider vain and useless...and things not needed at the home to make sure the home is simple and not over-adorned. Things that would bring pride and envy to be shunned.
Make it clear that these standards we agree on (but are not forced) are not for salvation and in no way merit to it. Our standards are not the Law of God, but are applications to the scriptures where God tells us to be not conformed to this world, to wear modest apparel, to love not the world, to come out and be separate from but in the world, for unity and one accord, and finally for the safety of our families.
Positions and Offices of the Church: Must be saved, baptized, in God’s will and bearing much fruit, meeting all the qualifications found in the scriptures for specific offices, and must also be in one accord and in unity with the church and a person who is not self-willed as said in the scriptures. Any breach of these will cause one to immediately lose position unless they come back to previous understanding.
Excommunication: The Church can only excommunicate for the reasons laid out in the scriptures. If a member decides they do not want to be unity any longer, we cannot excommunicate them for this, nor can we excommunicate a member that never decides to be unity. We cannot excommunicate a member who begins to become more worldly (example:someone decides to wear wordly but not revealing apparel) unless they become sinful again. We can only admonish those who become more worldly and love them. We cannot excommunicate someone for believing heretically unless they are teaching the other members their wrong doctrines. People will be excommunicated according to the rule in the scriptures...and those who are excommunicated will be welcomed back to the church upon repentance and confession.
Of course again this is a rough draft, and only a few of the simple things we would be dealing with that would be different from mainstream churches. We would love people and tell them the reason for all of these things. However, if someone did not agree with our church they can decide not to join us and join one of the many churches of the world that overdo the "liberty of conscience" doctrine....there are MANY churches that already teach that overboard and we are not looking to waste our time in becoming another one of those...there are plenty. Any one have any thoughts, ideas, or rebukes? Need some help.....the Bible says in the multitude of counsellors there is safety....not in one person.
Anabean!
