Who are the Mennonites?

Frequently Asked Questions
About Mennonites

What is worship like in a Mennonite church?

Go to the Mennonites at Worship Photo Gallery for photos and comments about worship in a Mennonite church.

Experience a live worship service on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:45 AM (EST) from College Mennonite Church, Goshen Ind. at    http://www.collegemennonite.org/  Archived videos of past services are also available.  Co llege Mennonite Church  is one of the larger Mennonite churches with more than 1,000 members and is located on the campus of Goshen College.  

 

In North American Mennonite churches, styles of worship vary, but the emphasis is on God as the "audience" rather than the congregation as an audience. The congregation offers their worship to God. Some Mennonite churches follow the liturgical calendar; others do not. Worship services are very similar to other evangelical services, with a worship leader and minister providing the framework for the worship. As a result of the emphasis on the importance of the community of believers, times for people to share experiences from their lives and stories for children are often incorporated into the worship service.

Four-part singing has been a long-standing tradition in the Mennonite church, and for many years this was only a cappella singing. Now more congregations use organ, piano, or other instruments as accompaniment. With congregational singing playing such an important part in worship, most Mennonite churches use a song leader to lead the singing, which is different from churches where the congregation follows the lead of an organ or piano.

Most Mennonite churches have Sunday school classes for both children and adults either before or after the morning worship.

Visitors will find most Mennonite churches to be friendly, welcoming places.

While specific worship services in Mennonite churches vary greatly, here are some common themes and components:

Worship as an alternative community

• Everyone welcome
• Each person's gifts valued
• Titles not used
• Wide participation of the non-clergy

Christ's kingdom extends beyond national borders

• Hymns and resources reflect the wider nature of the church, using hymns and music from around the world, in whatever style and format the congregation enjoys

People of the Bible

• Great emphasis on reading and knowing the Bible
• Readings from both the Old Testament and New Testament in most services
• Space and time allowed in most services for silence and reflection (God still speaks in worship today)

Engaged with the world

• Prayers for the needs of others (both within the congregation and beyond)
• One segment of worship given to helping people think about how they carry out their worship through the week: "moments for mission," announcements of service or advocacy opportunities, benedictions that send persons out to be God's people in the world

Prayerbook

Some Mennonites enjoy using a prayer book, with special prayers for morning and evening, for private or gathered worship times. A book of prayers for personal or corporate worship is Take Our Moments and Our Days: An Anabaptist Prayer Book, available onlin

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*** Select an FAQ *** How did the Mennonite Church begin? What is the relationship between the terms "Anabaptist" and "Mennonite?" What's the difference between Mennonites and Amish? Do all Mennonites live on farms? What are the basic Mennonite beliefs? What do Mennonites believe about the Bible? What do Mennonites believe about death and dying? What do Mennonites believe about participating in war? Could you tell me a little about Mennonite culture? What are the origins/history of African-American Mennonites? What is worship like in a Mennonite church? Are all Mennonites good singers? What is the role of women in leadership in the Mennonite church? What do Mennonites mean by "community"? Why are Mennonites frequently involved in service? Where is the closest Mennonite church? Which states and provinces have the most Mennonites? Do Mennonites have their own schools? Can you help me trace my family tree? What about Old Orders, Hutterites, Conservatives, River Brethren and Others? What are the origins of Hispanic Mennonites in North America? What do Mennonites believe about speaking to government and involvement in politics? Where are Mennonites located throughout the world? Why are Mennonites and Anabaptists neither Catholic nor Protestant?

If your question has not been answered go to our Mennonite Glossary, or Information Request Form to send your question or comment.