Is this the right place to ask about Mennonites?

[TriniBlue]

I am unsure if I have the correct forum. I am considering trying a mennonite church. I am not interested in the shouter baptists and I am wondering if the mennonites are similar.

 

[WayneinMaine]

I am unsure if I have the correct forum. I am considering trying a mennonite church. I am not interested in the shouter baptists and I am wondering if the mennonites are similar.

This is the right forum. Menno Simons was an early Anabaptist leader. There's a whole variety of different Mennonites out there, there may be some that are like the "shouter baptists" but there's a lot of quiet ones too.

 

[somasoul]

The Mennonite Church I am a part of is part of a larger denomination "Mennonite Church USA".

MennoniteUSA.com

 

[Adonaijah]

I would like to visit a mennonite church sometime and see what I can learn from them, When I go how must I dress? do I have to wear a bonnet?And is there any particular way they treat an outsider?

 

[somasoul]

I would like to visit a mennonite church sometime and see what I can learn from them, When I go how must I dress? do I have to wear a bonnet?And is there any particular way they treat an outsider?

I had the same questions when I started going to my Mennonite Church. I was really nervous about how I look. I wear rock shirts, I'm tattooed all over, sneakers, jeans........would the Mennonites accept that???

I showed up and found all sorts of people dressed all sorts of ways. Suits and Ties, traditional "amish" type garb, other T-Shirt clad people, little girls on floral dresses, little girls in muddy pants.

Also, I was scared we might be seen as "tourists" or people "pretending to be amish" or something. We weren't. The Mennonites are pretty cool, their beliefs are different than most protestant churches. They are not nearly as political (They'll even accept DEMOCRATS!!!!). Whatever. Just go. See what it's like.

 

[progressivegal]

I had the same questions when I started going to my Mennonite Church. I was really nervous about how I look. I wear rock shirts, I'm tattooed all over, sneakers, jeans........would the Mennonites accept that???

I showed up and found all sorts of people dressed all sorts of ways. Suits and Ties, traditional "amish" type garb, other T-Shirt clad people, little girls on floral dresses, little girls in muddy pants.

Also, I was scared we might be seen as "tourists" or people "pretending to be amish" or something. We weren't. The Mennonites are pretty cool, their beliefs are different than most protestant churches. They are not nearly as political (They'll even accept DEMOCRATS!!!!). Whatever. Just go. See what it's like.

I felt the same way when I first started going to Quaker meetings, too. I found people all dressed pretty causally for the mos t part. I felt very comfortable.

 

[david_x]

I would like to visit a mennonite church sometime and see what I can learn from them, When I go how must I dress? do I have to wear a bonnet?And is there any particular way they treat an outsider?

It depends very much on the church. They range anywhere from undetectible from mainstream america to almost amish. You would have to go to the church first to find out.

 

[FAITHFILLED]

Great Cause I Was Wondering If I Should Try The Mennonite Church Here. Thank You For Putting Me At Ease About This.

 

[Mountainbiken4JC]

Definatly try it out. I live in PA, amish and mennonite capitol of the world practically. To say they are all good people would be a stretch, but I live not five minutes from where the amish shooting happened and the outpouring of love was unreal. I am of a more conservative , countrified attitude so I would blend in pretty well with most of the churches around here. My husband grew up mennonite and his mom and dad and youngest bro still are. They accept you as you are, but be careful about walking into an amish church as they have church in their homes...so that could be akward Seriously though, if you believe that the bible is it. period. and that living a life that reflects stewardship and love for others, go for it. (not that you won't find that in any other church, just sayin) A lot of the women here DO wear bonnets or coverings but they can come in all shapes and sizes (I have a friend who wears a bandana as hers) and they certainly don't expect you to dress like themselves unless you are a member. As a matter of respect I'd lay off the miniskirts in leiu of a more conservative manner of dress (but I'd say that in general) I can't speak for what a shouter baptist is, though the churches around here are mostly quiet...There are ones that sing almost exclusively out of hymn books, but some do a mix of praise and worship songs and hymns or just praise and worship.
Um...that's all I can think of. If you have any spacific questions, just ask.