Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations
Encyclopedia
The Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations (AMEC) is an association of conservative evangelical Mennonite
churches.
emphasis on evangelism, coupled with concerns over doctrinal compromise and the upcoming merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church
. A consultation of evangelical Mennonite leaders was held at Smoketown, Pennsylvania
, in July 1979. Out of this meeting came a declaration called the "Smoketown Statement". It called for "a reaffirmation of the authority of Scripture, a reexamination of priorities with emphasis on the saving power of the Gospel, and a clear call for renewed emphasis on evangelism." This was followed by another consultation held in Berne, Indiana
in March 1981. In 1992 this evangelical group organized the Evangelical Anabaptist Fellowship, and began publishing an EAF Newsletter.
As the merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church developed, they jointly adopted a new Confession of Faith as the basis of the merger. Members of the EAF believed that portions of the confession were left deliberately ambiguous, especially concerning the infallibility of the Scriptures. Other controversial issues included whether the new confession was merely a guideline or a definitive statement to which leadership would be expected to adhere in guiding the new denomination, and whether certain behaviors were to be prohibited to those who are members of the church. Some evangelical Mennonites felt that discussion of doctrinal issues was downplayed in order to promote unity and merger.
A meeting representing 24 churches from four states was convened on February 12, 2000, at Smoketown, Pennsylvania. Representatives concluded that "in light of the formation of the new Mennonite Church USA and its departure from Biblical orthodoxy, we believe God is calling us to form a new affiliation of evangelical Anabaptist congregations." The EAF Board of Directors appointed a committee to make recommendations on how to proceed. Early in 2000, Association of Evangelical Mennonite Congregations was adopted as the tentative name of the organization, and the move toward organization was affirmed. On September 30, 2000, at a meeting in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
, the first congregation committed to affiliate with the proposed organization. Soon after this, seven other congregations also committed to affiliate with the association. On June 19, 2002 bylaws were drafted. They were adopted on September 28, 2002. The name was changed to Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations.
At the end of 2003, 16 congregations in Pennsylvania
and New York were part of the Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations, representing possibly 2000 individual believers. Some of the congregations are dually aligned with the AMEC and the Mennonite Church USA
. In the fall of 2003, they launched a quarterly publication, InterLink, which is available on their website or by mail. Currently offices are in Paradise, Pennsylvania
. The Alliance conference and general assembly is held biennially. The body is committed to providing fellowship for evangelical Mennonites throughout North America
.
; mankind's fall and the need of salvation; the sanctity of human life; marriage between one man and one woman; the doctrine of non-resistance; and the resurrection of all people to either eternal happiness or eternal separation from God. While anointing with oil, prayer for the sick, feet washing
, and the devotional head covering are affirmed by most churches, the AMEC recognizes two ordinances - believers baptism and the Lord's supper — as distinct from these other practices. Local congregations are independent and autonomous, but the AMEC believes this does not "…imply autonomy from the Authority of Scripture and its clear teachings…"
Mennonite
The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after the Frisian Menno Simons , who, through his writings, articulated and thereby formalized the teachings of earlier Swiss founders...
churches.
Background
The founding of the AMEC was the culmination of a movement to renew the 16th century AnabaptistAnabaptist
Anabaptists are Protestant Christians of the Radical Reformation of 16th-century Europe, and their direct descendants, particularly the Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites....
emphasis on evangelism, coupled with concerns over doctrinal compromise and the upcoming merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church
General Conference Mennonite Church
The General Conference Mennonite Church was an association of Mennonite congregations based in North America from 1860 to 2002. The conference was formed in 1860 when congregations in Iowa invited North American Mennonites to join together in order to pursue common goals such as higher education...
. A consultation of evangelical Mennonite leaders was held at Smoketown, Pennsylvania
Smoketown, Pennsylvania
Smoketown is a small farming village in East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, west of Bird-in-Hand at the intersection of Pennsylvania Route 340 and Pennsylvania Route 896 . Also known as Smoke Town, it is served by the Smoketown Airport...
, in July 1979. Out of this meeting came a declaration called the "Smoketown Statement". It called for "a reaffirmation of the authority of Scripture, a reexamination of priorities with emphasis on the saving power of the Gospel, and a clear call for renewed emphasis on evangelism." This was followed by another consultation held in Berne, Indiana
Berne, Indiana
Berne is a city in Monroe and Wabash townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States, 35 miles south of Fort Wayne. The population was 4,150 at the 2000 census...
in March 1981. In 1992 this evangelical group organized the Evangelical Anabaptist Fellowship, and began publishing an EAF Newsletter.
As the merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church developed, they jointly adopted a new Confession of Faith as the basis of the merger. Members of the EAF believed that portions of the confession were left deliberately ambiguous, especially concerning the infallibility of the Scriptures. Other controversial issues included whether the new confession was merely a guideline or a definitive statement to which leadership would be expected to adhere in guiding the new denomination, and whether certain behaviors were to be prohibited to those who are members of the church. Some evangelical Mennonites felt that discussion of doctrinal issues was downplayed in order to promote unity and merger.
A meeting representing 24 churches from four states was convened on February 12, 2000, at Smoketown, Pennsylvania. Representatives concluded that "in light of the formation of the new Mennonite Church USA and its departure from Biblical orthodoxy, we believe God is calling us to form a new affiliation of evangelical Anabaptist congregations." The EAF Board of Directors appointed a committee to make recommendations on how to proceed. Early in 2000, Association of Evangelical Mennonite Congregations was adopted as the tentative name of the organization, and the move toward organization was affirmed. On September 30, 2000, at a meeting in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the...
, the first congregation committed to affiliate with the proposed organization. Soon after this, seven other congregations also committed to affiliate with the association. On June 19, 2002 bylaws were drafted. They were adopted on September 28, 2002. The name was changed to Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations.
Status
Membership in this new body, according to the bylaws, is open to any congregation that "endorses the Purposes and Principles", and "affirms the Statement of Doctrine". Individuals whose local congregation is not affiliated with the AMEC can apply for "Associate Membership" under the same conditions.At the end of 2003, 16 congregations in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and New York were part of the Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations, representing possibly 2000 individual believers. Some of the congregations are dually aligned with the AMEC and the Mennonite Church USA
Mennonite Church USA
The Mennonite Church USA, or MCUSA, is an Anabaptist Christian denomination in the United States. Although the organization is a recent 2002 merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church, the body has roots in the Radical Reformation of the 16th century...
. In the fall of 2003, they launched a quarterly publication, InterLink, which is available on their website or by mail. Currently offices are in Paradise, Pennsylvania
Paradise, Pennsylvania
Paradise is a census-designated place in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States with a zip code of 17562. The population was 1,028 at the 2000 census....
. The Alliance conference and general assembly is held biennially. The body is committed to providing fellowship for evangelical Mennonites throughout North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
Faith and practice
Beliefs include: the Bible as the inspired infallible word of God; the eternal existence of God in three persons; the virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, vicarious atonement, bodily resurrection, ascension, present intercession, and personal return of JesusJesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
; mankind's fall and the need of salvation; the sanctity of human life; marriage between one man and one woman; the doctrine of non-resistance; and the resurrection of all people to either eternal happiness or eternal separation from God. While anointing with oil, prayer for the sick, feet washing
Feet washing
Foot washing or washing of feet is a religious rite observed as an ordinance by several Christian denominations. The name, and even the spelling, of this practice is not consistently established, being variously known as foot washing, washing the saints' feet, pedilavium, and mandatum.For some...
, and the devotional head covering are affirmed by most churches, the AMEC recognizes two ordinances - believers baptism and the Lord's supper — as distinct from these other practices. Local congregations are independent and autonomous, but the AMEC believes this does not "…imply autonomy from the Authority of Scripture and its clear teachings…"