Mennonite

Mennonite refers to members of several Christian groups tracing their origins to the Anabaptist movement in 16th-century Europe. The name derives from Menno Simons, a Dutch priest whose writings helped shape and consolidate Anabaptist beliefs. Core tenets include believer’s baptism upon confession of faith, nonviolence and pacifism, and a practice of church life that often emphasizes simple living and separate spheres from state authority.

Belief and practice vary among Mennonite communities. All typically affirm adult baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and many emphasize communal discipline and mutual aid. Some groups follow the Ordnung, a set of traditional rules that governs dress, technology, and social conduct, particularly in conservative or Old Order branches. Church governance is usually congregational, with elected or ordained ministers and active lay participation.

Historically persecuted in Europe, Mennonites migrated to North America, Central and South America, and other regions from the 18th century onward, establishing farming communities in areas such as Pennsylvania and Ontario. In contemporary times, Mennonites are present worldwide and engage in humanitarian work through organizations like the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and through various church networks and missions.

The broader Mennonite world connects through groups such as the Mennonite World Conference, which brings together Mennonite, Mennonite Brethren, and related churches. The Amish are a related Anabaptist group that split from Mennonite communities in the 17th–18th centuries and now represents a distinct tradition with separate practices and dress.