Affliations?

[ZiSunka]

How are you affiliated with anabaptism?

 

[CelticRose]

I need an - other.

I have read widely, have a number of mennonite friends, am loosely affiliated with the anabaptist church in this country but not a member; doctrinal clashes. When I lived in a major centre I attended a Quaker meeting but am no longer affiliated with any particular denomination.

 

[Danfrey]

I am a Christian who uses the title Anabaptist because I agree with the Schleitheim confession of faith. I have been a member of the Holdeman Church, A Mennonite USA church, and prefer the home fellowship setting. I currently attend any one of the three Mennonite churches in our area. Two are Conservative Mennonite Church Conference and one is Biblical Mennonite Alliance. I don't put the emphasis on Church membership than many would in our circles.

I am a relative newcomer to the Anabaptist faith. I have been following Christ in the Anabaptist tradition for about 6 years now. I am the typical seeker in that I like to ask "Why". Also, I put more emphasis on a literal interpretation of scripture than on a progressive revelation or cultural adjustment of theology.

 

[Adara]

Good idea for a poll, AE&D.

I also need an "other" category -- I'm a Quaker who has a strong affinity for Anabaptists, particularly Mennonites. Like Danfrey, I agree with the Schleitheim confession of faith, and if I were not already in a community of believers, I'd probably seek membership with a Mennonite church.

 

[catlover]

I am curious. I should get around to getting in touch with some in the area. There is one lady in the area, who is a physician's assistant, and they do home meetings. She is a Quaker.

There is a group down the road who appear pretty strict, the ladies wear the little hat and home made dresses, but they drive cars etc. That is a little too conservative for my liking but I would like to see one of their church services.

What appeals to me about The Anabaptists, their respect for life, pacifism,the belief of seperation of Church and State, and their appeal to a simpler non materialistic life.

 

[oliveplants]

I voted "have read some about..."

I was interested in the Quakers as a youth, have "always" liked the old-fashioned way of doing things, but my intrests now go deeper than that. I think the A/Bs have it right about a whole lot of stuff, and believe I can learn a lot from them.

My daughter uses a Mennonite curriculam (Rod and Staff) for homeschool, DH and I listen to preaching tapes from Charity, and we have done a couple of the studies from Lamp and Light.

We do dissagree with the A/Bs on a few key items, and there are no A/B meetings in our part of the country so we can't attend if we wanted to (if they would let us).

(That's why I try not to debate in here, I know I'm not official.)

 

[Joykins]

I was a member at one time, but I left...because my parents moved and being a teenager I moved with them. After that my family attended a nondenomination church but I did not join.

 

[ZiSunka]

Good idea for a poll, AE&D.

I just thought it would help me to know where everyone is coming from.

When this forum started, I thought it would have more anabaptists in it, but over time I realized that it may be populated mostly with people who haven't practiced the anabaptist traditions themselves, but are curious about anabaptism.

 

[3kidsmom]

I still belong to the Mennonite church of my youth. I have since moved and there are no Mennonite churches in my area, but I attend my home congregation whenever I am visiting family.

In response to the comment regarding this list being populated mainly by those who are curious and or learning; I must be the exception! I am Mennonite both by birth and my choice. I attended Mennonite High School and College and am raising my family in tradition and faith.

 

[ZiSunka]

It's great to have you hear 3kidsmom!

I also am a member of an anabaptist congregation, and an affiliate (more than a visitor, less than a member) of several other congregations of varying degrees of plainess.

 

[Danfrey]

I am Mennonite both by birth and my choice.

When I was born, I didn't understand my name let alone the Mennonite confession of faith.

 

[ACADEMIC]

I hated my real name until I discovered its meaning, which has connotations that made me have a hallelujah time right then and there.

 

[CelticRose]

(Cool Pic, Academic.)

 

[ZiSunka]

I posted the text of the Schleitheim confession in the Wiki for anyone who is interested in reading it.

The Mennonite USA confession of faith is also posted there.

 

[CelticRose]

Thank you AE&D.

 

[MrJim]

I voted "was a member/left over doctrinal issues"...I had become calvinist, which wasn't very compatible with the local mennonite congregation. I've since ditched the reformed theology but haven't moved into an anabaptist congregation, staying for now with an American Baptist Church--not a member, but more than a visitor...