What is a Mennonite?
Brief History of the Mennonites...
Koinonia Mennonite Church is a member of the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. The Mennonite Church was formed during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, after Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli lead a movement separating from the Roman Catholic Church. 
In 1525, in the middle of this religious upheaval, a small group of young adults who had been meeting for Bible study and prayer in Zurich, Switzerland, felt convicted to re-baptize each other...an idea new to that time, that adults should be baptized on confession of faith. Out of this movement sprang the beginnings of many churches that exist today including Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Brethren, Amish and Brethren in Christ. The members of this movement were known as 'Anabaptists' which means 're-baptizers'.
A key belief of some of these early Anabaptists was the idea that matters of faith must be separated from the power structures of the state. One of the leaders in this movement was Menno Simons, a former Catholic priest from Holland. The Mennonite Church of today is founded in the work of Menno Simons and others like him.
Are Mennonites the same as Amish? 
Often, when people think of Mennonites they picture Amish buggies, dark clothing and head coverings.
Although some Mennonites share traditions and styles similar to the Amish, the contempory Mennonite church is large and diversified, encompassing a wide range of traditions and lifestyles.
Find out more... Who are the Mennonites? Mennonite FAQ Mennonite beliefs The Mennonite Church USA website Mennonite Central Committee website Mennonite Doctrine Statements Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference Mennonite musician John David Brunk (1872-1926) by S. Scott Roberts |