What We Believe
A letter was received at the CMC office in late 1996 with an invitation to respond by way of a questionnaire with a statement of our conference's position in nineteen categories of doctrine, ethics, and church life. The purpose of the questionnaire was to collect information for a handbook on denominations. The book has been published and is identified bibliographically thus: Shelly Steig, Finding the Right Church: A Guide to Denominations' Beliefs (Grand Rapids: Word Publishing, Inc., 1997). Used by permission. (As of January, 1999, the publisher has relocated with a mailing address of PO Box 370, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126-4370.)
Because of the time line involved, the CMC general secretary responded to the questionnaire immediately, attempting to represent faithfully the Conference position in the various categories. The material was then shared with the CMC Executive Committee in its next meeting at a point when revision could easily have been submitted to the author. The Executive Committee examined the material in its meeting of February, 1997, and endorsed it as suitable for publication with words of encouragement for its further release as an expression of CMC positions.
The book was published in 1997. CMC is included in the book as one of about 150 denominations. In addition, more than 100 groups are listed as having been contacted without response.
The material as prepared for the book is released (with permission of the publisher) in this article. Since it has not been processed in a CMC business meeting, it is not presented as material authorized by CMC. Rather, it is shared as material which the Executive Committee identified as a good representation of CMC position.
- David I. Miller, General Secretary of Conservative Mennonite Conference, 1990-2003
Abortion
Conception is the beginning of life and taking life through abortion is wrong.
Baptism
Baptism is symbolic of the cleansing of the blood of Christ in regeneration and new birth. Both pouring and immersion are acceptable modes.
Birth Control
Love and acceptance of children is taught and encouraged. The prevention of pregnancy when feasible by birth control with pre-fertilization methods is acceptable.
Capital Punishment
The state is ordained of God to maintain law and order and is expected to use the sword for enforcement. Capital punishment should never be advocated by a Christian, but can be recognized as a legitimate function of government. A distinction is maintained between the function of civil government and the function of the church and the Christian, with the Christian refraining from intentionally taking life whether in civil life, the military, or the government.
Christ's Return
The return of Christ is personal, certain, and imminent. The dead will be resurrected, the just to eternal glory and bliss in heaven and the unjust to everlasting punishment and torment in hell. Satan, death, and hell will be cast into the lake of fire and the glorious reign of the Kingdom of God will be eternally fulfilled.
Creation vs. Evolution
Creation is the explanation of the origin and existence of all things, including the material universe, the spiritual cosmos, and those beings which by freewill rebelled against God and chose an attitude and condition of evil. The origin of the material universe was not a process of natural or theistic evolution.
Communion
Communion is an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ to symbolize the New Covenant. The bread and the cup are symbols which commemorate Christ's broken body and shed blood, our spiritual life in Him, and the spiritual unity and fellowship of the body of Christ.
Deity of Jesus
Jesus Christ is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit in the triune Godhead, the eternal Word and divine Son of God. Before his incarnation, He was eternally with God the Father and was God. This position differs from some christologies which describe Jesus as having grown into divinity. In His incarnation, He was fully God and fully man.
Distinguishing Beliefs/Practices
In theology, CMC can be characterized as evangelical, Anabaptist, and conservative with an Arminian perspective. With the inauguration of the New Covenant prophesied in the Old Testament and realized with the ministry and death of Jesus Christ, the disciple of Jesus is called upon to refrain from violence and participation in those aspects of government functions which require the use of force. Simple affirmation, rather than the oath, is exercised even in legal situations. An interpretation and application of I Corinthians 11:1-16 is exercised in many CMC churches by expecting female members to wear a head dress, especially in times of church gatherings. Simplicity of attire is favored and is exercised in varied degrees in the congregations. Along with the observance of the communion service and baptism as ordinances, feet washing is observed.
Divorce and Remarriage
Marriage is intended for "as long as you both shall live." There is no rightful provision for divorce, although in dire cases separation may be feasible or required. Divorce and remarriage after divorce are regarded as violating God's plan, as forgivable with repentance, but not to be repeated by the believer.
Government (Church)
A combination of the congregational and the presbyterial forms of governance prevails in the congregations, with emphasis on the congregational. Major decisions are subject to congregational approval. Ordination is seen as a commissioning to the ministry of the Word, including preaching, teaching, counselling, and the general scope of pastoral work. Ordination is restricted to men. Most congregations include a church council or board of elders consisting of laymen and clergy (ordained.) Other committees and offices are constituted by local congregational decision and provision.
Heaven/Hell
Heaven is the place of everlasting glory and bliss to which the regenerated and cleansed children of God are ushered. The unjust are cast into everlasting punishment and torment in hell. Satan, death, and hell will be cast into the lake of fire and the glorious reign of the Kingdom of God will be eternally fulfilled.
History of Denomination
The first meeting and the origin of Conservative Mennonite Conference occurred near Pigeon, Michigan, on November 24, 25, 1910, at the site of the present Pigeon River Mennonite Church. Five ministers were in attendance, representing Amish Mennonite churches which were reluctant to adopt the Old Order Amish Mennonite approach of maintaining the status quo in cultural expressions while also tending to a greater conservatism than the prevailing Amish Mennonite and Mennonite approach of that time. Earlier backgrounds include the Anabaptist movement which begin to crystallize in 1525 in Switzerland and, in later decades, was influenced significantly by the writings of the Dutch Anabaptist minister, former Catholic priest, Menno Simons. A movement of spiritual fervor and concern about practical applications in the church in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, and in Alsace, France, in the last half of the 18th century, to which the name of Jacob Ammon was attached, also forms a part of the CMC historical background along with migration from Europe to America, especially in the early 18th and early 19th centuries. The stated purpose of the meeting in 1910: "That we stand more closely together in the work of the Lord, to maintain peace and unity in the so called Conservative Amish Mennonite churches."
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is a condition outside God's creational intent. Homosexual behavior is regarded as sinful. Response to homosexual orientation should seek transformation through prayer, God's grace, therapy, and the love and support of Christian believers.
Inspiration of Scriptures
The Scriptures, both Old Testament and New Testament, are the Word of God, a supernatural revelation from God to mankind, verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit through human instrumentality, without error in the original writings in all that they affirm. The Scriptures are the final authority for faith and practice, with the New Testament being the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the perfected rule for the Christian church.
Miracles
Miracles are works of God in which He intervenes in the natural and usual order of His creation. Accounts of miracles in the Scriptures are to be accepted as miraculous. God does miracles today as He chooses. The occurrence of a miracle is not necessarily a test of faith, since God may choose to do or not to do a miracle in the presence of faith.
Restrictions (any required by Constitution)
The CMC Constitution does not specify restrictions to be kept by members of congregations, since restrictions, expectations, and discipline of members are local congregational responsibility. Expectations include refraining from gambling, alcoholic drinking, smoking or chewing tobacco, immodest attire, the oath, and premarital and extra-marital sexual activity.
Security of Salvation
The believer is secure in an ongoing faith expressed and fostered by obedience to Christ. The believer's security is conditional rather than unconditional. The condition for ongoing salvation is an ongoing, trusting, living faith in Christ, John 3:36 can be translated: "He that is believing on the Son is having everlasting life."
Speaking in Tongues and other Gifts of the Spirit
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are meant for the church of Jesus Christ from Pentecost till His return. The gifts are distributed as the Holy Spirit wills in various times and places. Spirituality is indicated by an abundance of the fruit of the Spirit rather than by an abundance of the gifts. Speaking in tongues is recognized and permitted today, but is not required.
Trinity
God Is Three Divine Persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit who are distinct in function, but equal in power and glory. The triune nature of God is both ontological and expressive. The more definite New Testament teaching on divine trinity, in comparison to the less definite teaching of the Old Testament, is not a matter of development of human thought or of God rearranging Himself in order to reveal Himself, but of progression of revelation. The perfect God is triune.
Women in Ministry
It is appropriate for women to be engaged in a large range of ministries. In terms of leadership and governance, the function of authority in administration, teaching, and discernment of the prophetic word is assigned to men. Ordination is restricted to men.