Mennonites facts for kids
Emblem of the Mennonite World Conference
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| Total population | |
|---|---|
 2.13 million (2018) |
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| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States | 500,481 |
| Ethiopia | 310,912 |
| India | 257,029 |
| Dem. Republic of the Congo | 225,581 |
| Bolivia | 150,000 |
| Canada | 149,422 |
| Mexico | 110,000 |
| Indonesia | 102,761 |
| Tanzania | 66,350 |
| Thailand | 63,718 |
| Zimbabwe | 50,287 |
| Germany | 47,492 |
| Paraguay | 36,009 |
| Kenya | 35,575 |
| Angola | 30,555 |
| Religions | |
| Anabaptist | |
| Scriptures | |
| Bible | |
Mennonites are a group of Christians who are part of the Anabaptist movement. Their history goes back to the Protestant Reformation, a time of big changes in the Christian church. The name Mennonites comes from Menno Simons (1496–1561). He was a Catholic priest from the Netherlands who later became an important leader among the Anabaptists.
Menno Simons helped shape the beliefs of the Mennonites. These beliefs were written down in the Dordrecht Confession of Faith in 1632. Key ideas included:
- Only adults should be baptized, not babies.
- Washing feet as a sign of serving others.
- Church discipline, which means correcting members who do wrong.
- Not swearing oaths (making formal promises).
- Marrying within the church.
- Being peaceful and not fighting in wars.
- Living a "true Christian" life by following Jesus' teachings from the Bible.
Many early Mennonites did not fight back when they were treated unfairly. Instead, they moved to places where leaders were more accepting of their beliefs. Over time, Mennonites became known as one of the historic peace churches because they believe in peace and non-violence.
Today, Mennonites around the world practice their faith in different ways. Some, like the Old Order Mennonites, live without much modern technology. Others, called Conservative Mennonites, keep some old traditions, wear plain dress, but use modern things. Mainline Mennonites look and live much like other people in society. You can find Mennonites in 87 countries. The largest groups live in Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, and the United States.
Contents
Discovering Mennonite History
The story of Mennonites began with the Anabaptists in parts of Germany and the Netherlands. The word Anabaptist means "re-baptizers." These early groups were part of the Protestant Reformation, which was a big movement against some practices of the Roman Catholic Church.
A main belief of Anabaptists was that only adults should be baptized. At that time, almost all babies in Europe were baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. This belief was important both for religion and politics. Anabaptists also thought the church should be separate from the government. They believed people should join the church only when they truly believed in Jesus and wanted to follow his teachings.
On January 21, 1525, a small group in Zurich, including Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, and George Blaurock, baptized each other. This moment is seen as the start of the Anabaptist movement. Other groups also began to preach new ideas about church leadership and how the church should relate to the state. These movements are often called the "Radical Reformation."
Many leaders, both Protestant and Catholic, thought that voluntary church membership was dangerous. They worried about groups like the Münster Rebellion, which was a violent Anabaptist group. Because of these fears, governments and religious leaders worked together to stop the movement, often using force.
Despite these efforts, the Anabaptist movement slowly spread across Europe. Many early Anabaptist leaders were killed for not giving up their beliefs. Many Anabaptists believed that God did not approve of fighting or using force. So, they often found safety by moving to neutral cities or countries. Their safety was often uncertain, and they sometimes had to flee again. This belief in non-violence became a very important part of Mennonite faith.
In the early days of the Anabaptist movement, Menno Simons, who was a Catholic priest, learned about these new ideas. He started to question his Catholic faith. After his brother, an Anabaptist, was killed for refusing to fight, Simons left the Catholic Church in 1536. He became a leader among the non-violent Anabaptists, helping to organize and unite them. His name eventually became linked to these groups.
Changes and Divisions in Mennonite Groups
During the 1500s, Mennonites and other Anabaptists faced constant persecution. This difficult time greatly shaped who Mennonites are. The book Martyrs Mirror, published in 1660, tells many stories of Anabaptists who were punished for their faith. This book is still very important to many Mennonites today, especially for those from Swiss-South German backgrounds.
In 1693, Jakob Ammann tried to make changes in the Mennonite church in Switzerland and South Germany. He wanted to include "shunning" (avoiding members who were excommunicated) and have communion more often. When these ideas caused disagreements, Ammann and his followers separated. His followers became known as the Amish. Over time, the Amish also had their own splits, leading to groups like the Old Order Amish and Conservative Mennonite Conference. For example, in the early 1900s, some Amish wanted to start Sunday schools and do more outreach. When they couldn't convince others, they formed new groups.
Leaders in different countries often welcomed Mennonites because they were known to be honest, hardworking, and peaceful. However, if their practices bothered powerful state churches, or if a new ruler came to power, Mennonites might lose their freedoms and be forced to move again. They often had to leave everything behind except their families.
Because they often had to give up their belongings, Mennonites learned to live very simply. This was seen in their homes, churches, and even their clothing, which was often plain. Their church music was usually simple German songs sung without instruments. This simple style of music reminds many Mennonites of their history and simple way of life. Some Mennonite groups still live this "plain" lifestyle today.
How Many Mennonites Are There?
The Mennonite World Conference was started in 1925. In 2022, this organization had 109 member groups in 59 countries, with about 1.47 million baptized members in 10,300 churches.
What Mennonites Believe and Practice
The beliefs of Mennonites are based on the idea of the Believers' Church, meaning that faith is a personal choice.
One of the earliest statements of Mennonite faith was the Schleitheim Confession, written in 1527. It had seven main points:
- The Ban (meaning excommunication from the church).
- Communion (sharing bread and wine).
- Staying separate from "worldly" groups and practices.
- Believer's baptism (only adults who choose to be baptized).
- Having pastors in the church.
- Not using weapons or fighting (Christian pacifism).
- Not swearing oaths (formal promises).
The Dordrecht Confession of Faith, adopted in 1632, is another important statement of beliefs. It has been followed by many Mennonite groups for centuries. Mennonites believe that when people hear about God's love, the Holy Spirit helps them accept salvation. This means trusting God, turning away from sin, joining the church, and living according to Christ's teachings. Baptism is a public way to show this commitment.
Traditionally, Mennonites tried to follow the practices of early Christianity. These included:
- The lovefeast (which can involve footwashing, the holy kiss, and communion).
- Headcovering for women.
- Nonresistance (not fighting back).
- Sharing what they own.
- Not conforming to the ways of the world.
These practices are still very important in Old Order Mennonite and Conservative Mennonite churches. Many traditional Mennonite churches teach seven special practices: "baptism, communion, footwashing, marriage, anointing with oil, the holy kiss, and the prayer covering."
Today, there is a wide range of worship styles and traditions among Mennonites.
Different Kinds of Mennonites
There are many types of Mennonites, especially in North America.
- Moderate Mennonites include the largest groups, like the Mennonite Brethren and the Mennonite Church. They are often similar to other Protestant churches. They don't have special dress codes or limits on technology. Their worship services usually involve singing, reading the Bible, prayer, and a sermon. These churches focus on peace, community, and service. They don't live in separate communities but try to be a good influence in the wider world.
- The Reformed Mennonite Church started in the early 1800s. They see themselves as truly following Menno Simons' teachings and the New Testament. They use the Bible as their only guide and try to stay separate from other worship styles. They wear plain, old-fashioned clothes. However, they allow their children to go to public schools and use cars.
- The Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (also called Holdeman Mennonites) started in 1859. They focus on personal conversion and strict church rules. They avoid too much use of the internet and don't use television, cameras, or radio.
- Old Order Mennonites include several groups. Some use horses and buggies for travel and speak German, while others drive cars and speak English. Most Old Order groups share conservative beliefs, dress, and traditions. They usually don't get involved in politics and send their children to Mennonite schools.
- Horse and Buggy Old Order Mennonites use horses and buggies. Many allow tractors for farming, but some use special steel-wheeled tractors to keep them from being used on roads. They emphasize separating from the world, excommunication, and wearing plain clothes.
- Automobile Old Order Mennonites started using cars in 1927, but the cars had to be plain and black. Some are still called "Black Bumper" Mennonites because they paint their car bumpers black.
- Stauffer Mennonites are one of the most conservative Horse and Buggy Mennonite groups in North America. They started in 1845. They strongly believe in separating from the world, avoiding excommunicated members, and limiting cars and technology. They also wear plain clothing.
- Conservative Mennonites generally wear somewhat conservative clothing but accept other technology. They are not one single group but many independent conferences. They have Sunday school, revival meetings, and their own Christian schools. Many of these groups grew after World War II as a reaction to other Mennonite churches becoming less traditional.
- Progressive Mennonite Churches often focus strongly on pacifism and non-violence. Some allow LGBTQ+ members to be part of their church.
Russian Mennonites: A Journey
The "Russian Mennonites" are descendants of Dutch Anabaptists who settled near Danzig (now Poland) and in West Prussia around the 1530s. They lived there for about 250 years. Starting in 1791, they began to create new communities in the southern part of the Russian Empire (now Ukraine). Their special language is Plautdietsch, a German dialect. Today, many traditional Russian Mennonites use Standard German in church.
In the 1770s, Catherine the Great of the Russian Empire gained a lot of land north of the Black Sea. She invited Mennonites from Prussia to farm this land, which had been emptied by raids. In return, they were promised religious freedom and freedom from military service. Over time, Mennonite farmers and businesses became very successful.
Between 1874 and 1880, about 16,000 Mennonites left Russia. About 9,000 went to the United States, and 7,000 went to Canada. In the 1920s, Russian Mennonites from Canada started moving to Latin America (Mexico and Paraguay). Later, Mennonite refugees from the Soviet Union also moved there. These migrations led to settlements in Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Belize, Bolivia, and Argentina.
After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Soviet government took over all the large farms and businesses owned by Mennonites. Mennonites faced severe difficulties during this time. Many were forced to move or sent to camps. This led to another wave of Mennonite emigration to the Americas.
When the German army invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 during World War II, many Mennonites saw them as helpers. Some Russian Mennonites helped the Nazis, while others resisted them. After the war, the Soviet government believed that Mennonites had "worked together" with the Germans. Many Mennonites in the Soviet Union were forced to move to Siberia and Kazakhstan. Many were sent to labor camps. In the 1990s, the governments of Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine allowed these people to leave, and most moved to Germany.
Today, most Russian Mennonites and their descendants live in Latin America, Germany, and Canada. The most traditional Mennonites in terms of culture and technology are found in Belize, in places like the Lower and Upper Barton Creek Colonies.
Mennonites in North America
Because of difficulties and the search for work, Mennonites moved from the Netherlands to Germany in the 1600s. William Penn invited these groups to settle in his new colony in America. The first lasting settlement of Mennonites in America was in 1683 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Among these early settlers was William Rittenhouse, who owned the first paper mill in America. Four members of this group signed the first formal protest against slavery in the United States in 1688.
In the early 1700s, many Germans, including about 2,500 Mennonites and 500 Amish, moved to Pennsylvania. They settled in the Lancaster area. The oldest Mennonite meetinghouse in the United States is the Hans Herr House.
During Colonial America, Mennonites were different from other German settlers in three ways:
- They were against the American Revolutionary War.
- They were against public education.
- They did not approve of religious revivals.
Mennonites helped introduce ideas like the separation of church and state and were against slavery.
From 1812 to 1860, more Mennonite immigrants settled further west in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.
Mennonites also settled in Canada, mainly from the United States, in places like the Niagara region and Kitchener. Today, there are two main types of Mennonites in Canada: those from Swiss-South German backgrounds (who came via Pennsylvania) and those from Dutch-North German backgrounds (who came via Russia/Ukraine).
Different Mennonite Groups in North America
- "Old" Mennonite Church (MC): This group came from the Swiss-German Mennonites who settled in Pennsylvania and then the Midwest. It was the largest progressive Mennonite group before it joined with the General Conference Mennonite Church in 2002.
- Mennonite Brethren Church: This church started among Russian Mennonites in 1860. It now has churches in over 20 countries with about 500,000 members.
- Mennonite Church USA: This group was formed in 2002 when the "Old" Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church merged. Its membership has decreased over the years.
- Mennonite Church Canada: This is the Canadian part of the merger that happened in 2000. It has about 35,000 members.
- Conservative Mennonites: These groups keep some traditional elements, like conservative dress, but use modern technology. They often have their own Christian schools.
- Old Colony Mennonites: These are conservative German-speaking Russian Mennonites, mostly found in Latin America and Canada. They are different from Old Order Mennonites.
- Old Order Mennonites: These groups live a lifestyle similar to or slightly more modern than the Old Order Amish. Many use horses and buggies. In 2008/9, there were roughly 60,000 to 80,000 Old Order Mennonites in North America and Belize.
Alternative Service During War
During World War II, Mennonites who were conscientious objectors (meaning they refused to fight in wars due to their beliefs) were given other options. They could serve in medical roles or work in parks and on roads under civilian control. Most chose the latter and worked in "Alternative Service" camps. They helped with road building, forestry, and fighting fires. Later, they also worked in farming and industry. These men served without pay, and their churches and families covered their living costs. This program made important contributions to fire prevention, flood control, and medical science.
Splits Among Mennonite Groups
Before moving to America, Anabaptists in Europe were already divided into Dutch/North German and Swiss/South German groups. The Amish are an early split from the Swiss/South German group that happened in 1693. Over the centuries, many Amish individuals and churches rejoined Mennonite groups.
After coming to America, many Mennonites formed new, separate churches. These splits often happened because of disagreements about beliefs, rules, and church practices. Many modern Mennonite churches today come from groups that changed or left traditional Mennonite ways.
Mennonite Schools
Many Mennonite groups have started their own schools, colleges, and seminaries. More traditional groups, like the Holdeman Mennonites, even have their own school curriculum and teachers.
Who Are "Ethnic Mennonites"?
Some Mennonite communities, especially those whose families came from Switzerland and Russia, are sometimes called "ethnic Mennonites." This means they are seen as both a religious group and a cultural group with shared family backgrounds.
There's a discussion among Mennonites about this. Some believe they are simply a religious group open to everyone, while others feel they are also a distinct ethnic group. Historians and sociologists are increasingly looking at Mennonites as an ethno-religious group. Groups that speak languages like Pennsylvania Dutch, Plautdietsch (Low German), or Bernese German often fit the idea of an ethnic group more closely.
Environmental Concerns
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In Latin America, Mennonite communities have sometimes been linked to environmental damage, especially deforestation. This happens when land is cleared for farming in countries like Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, and Peru. Since the early to mid-1900s, Mennonite farmers have cleared large areas of natural land for growing crops like soybeans and for raising cattle. This has sometimes harmed valuable natural habitats and led to disagreements with indigenous peoples.
For example, in Peru, over 7,000 hectares (about 27 square miles) of rainforest were lost between 2017 and 2023 after Mennonite settlers arrived. In Mexico, on the Yucatán Peninsula, Mennonite farming has contributed to the loss of tropical rainforest. In 2018, Mexican Mennonites were fined for cutting down trees without permission on shared lands in Quintana Roo.
Mennonite Service Projects
Mennonites are known for their service work.
- The Mennonite Disaster Service is a group of volunteers from Anabaptist churches in North America. They help people after hurricanes, floods, and other disasters in the U.S. and Canada.
- The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), started in 1920, provides help around the world after disasters. They also run long-term development programs. MCC Thrift Shops, which sell donated items, help fund this work.
- Some Mennonite groups have become more involved in peace and social justice issues. They helped start groups like Christian Peacemaker Teams, which work to reduce violence in conflict areas.
How Many Mennonites Are There?
According to a 2018 count by the Mennonite World Conference, there are about 1.47 million baptized Mennonite members in 107 groups across 58 countries.
Africa has the fastest growth in Mennonite membership, with a 10% to 12% increase each year, especially in Ethiopia. African Mennonite churches grew by a lot in the 1980s and 1990s, with thousands of new members in Tanzania, Kenya, and the Congo.
In Latin America, membership is also growing steadily due to the high birth rates of traditional Mennonites of German background. Membership growth in North America, Asia/Pacific, and the Caribbean has also been steady. Europe has seen a slow decrease in Mennonite membership since about 1980.
How Mennonites Are Organized Worldwide
The most basic unit for Mennonites is the local church. There are many independent Mennonite churches and groups. Some churches belong to regional groups, and some regional groups are part of larger national or international organizations. There isn't one single leader or authority for all Mennonites worldwide. However, the Mennonite World Conference helps coordinate efforts and shared beliefs.
There are many different types of Mennonite churches, from very small to very large. They have different ways of worship, church rules, and lifestyles. There is no central group that speaks for all Mennonites.
The twelve largest Mennonite/Anabaptist groups include:
- Mennonite Brethren (over 426,000 members worldwide)
- Old Order Amish (over 383,000 members worldwide)
- Meserete Kristos Church in Ethiopia (over 120,000 members)
- Old Colony Mennonite Church (over 120,000 members in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bolivia, Paraguay, Belize, and Argentina)
- Communauté Mennonite au Congo (87,000 members)
- Old Order Mennonites (60,000 to 80,000 members in the U.S., Canada, and Belize)
- Mennonite Church USA (about 62,000 members)
- Kanisa La Mennonite Tanzania (50,000 members)
- Conservative Mennonites (30,000 members)
- Mennonite Church Canada (26,000 members)
- Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (24,400 members)
Organization in North America
In 2015, the United States had over 538,000 baptized Mennonite members in 41 groups. The largest of these is the Old Order Amish. The U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches has about 34,500 members. The Mennonite Church USA has seen its membership decrease over time.
Canada had over 143,000 Mennonites in 16 groups in 2015. The Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches had over 37,500 members, and the Mennonite Church Canada had 31,000 members.
In Mexico, there were an estimated 100,000 Old Colony Mennonites in 2012. These Mennonites came from Canada in the 1920s. The Mexican government promised them many freedoms, which led to their settlements.
Organization in Europe
Germany has the largest number of Mennonites in Europe, with over 47,000 baptized members in 2015. Many of these are "Russian-German Mennonites" who moved from Russia to Germany starting in the 1970s.
The Mennonite presence in the Netherlands, called Algemene Doopsgezinde Societeit, runs a seminary and does relief, peace, and mission work. Switzerland has about 2,350 Mennonites. France has over 2,000 Mennonites in 32 independent churches.
Ukraine, which once had many Mennonites, now has only a few hundred. The United Kingdom has a smaller number of Mennonites, with about 326 members.
See also
In Spanish: Menonita para niños
- Bible Mennonite Fellowship
- Bruderhof Communities
- Church of God in Christ, Mennonite
- Eastern Mennonite Missions
- List of Mennonites
- Mennonite cuisine
- Mennonite denominations
- Mennonites in Argentina
- Mennonites in Belize
- Mennonites in Bolivia
- Mennonites in Mexico
- Mennonites in Paraguay
- Mennonites in Russia
- Mennonites in Uruguay
- Mennonite literature
- More-with-Less Cookbook
- Simple living
- Virginia Mennonite Missions
