Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn in 1681 as
a land of religious liberty. By the time Penn died in 1711, Pennsylvania was the most religiously diverse land on earth. Our
early history continues to shape the diverse landscape of beliefs found in our area today. We are members of the Mennonite
faith - an Anabaptist Christian sect that originated in sixteenth century Holland and Switzerland. Anabaptism,
meaning re-baptism, is a branch of Christianity which adheres to the Believer's Baptism rather than the baptism of infants
as is commonly practised in the Catholic and Protestant denominations. Although our sect originated during the same
time period as Lutheranism, it's tenents stretch back to the very beginnings of Christianity and its ideas have influenced America's
founding fathers. Among these are the beliefs that:
Christians are called to a spiritual rebirth into the character of Christ.
Believers are baptized upon repentance symbolizing our new spiritual life - we are to
live a holy life, separated off from the ways of this world.
Having begun to take on the character of Christ, Christians are called to non-violence and pacificism.
No physical power can kill evil - the heart of man must be changed from the inside out - and given time to change. The
sword, including war and capital punishment, are beneath the dignity of Christ.
Spiritual powers are what changes man - they are of God not government.
The Business of the Church has nothing to do with the business
of the civil government and visa versa.
There
can be no forced faith - only by freewill can man choose to love God.
All who love God are priests by His Holy Spirit received upon Believer's Baptism.
Christians do not belong swearing oaths of loyalty - our first
allegiance should be to the Kingdom of God.
Congregations
choose their own leaders - there need not be any man-made hierarchical control.
Of course this list is not all-inclusive, but it hits many of the important points.
Rather than to list beliefs, however, it might be better to say this about us: We are all sincerely working to further
God's reach in this world through Christ-like love. The change, we believe, that is required to change the world has
nothing to do with other people - it is the voluntary and Spirit-assisted change of ourselves into new people. Come,
meet us and our Church, let's exchange ideas and change the world by growth in faith.
