Mennonite Origins: 6 Things That Led to Development of Christian Denomination

Mennonites believe in the literal readings of the Bible, a faith that involves spiritual responsibility. This leads to an emphasis on community service, justice and peace. Christians in this religion number nearly a million in the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Here are the six things that led to the development of Mennonites:

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1. Mennonites came out of the Anabaptist movement, which believed in baptism for adults or being baptized again because only adults could determine their faith. The movement began in the 1500s around Zurich, Switzerland. They were often at odds with state-linked churches.

2. Their beliefs were so strong they shunned other congregations. Mennonites worshiped the Last Supper as a memorial and not as a sacrament as practiced in other Christian faiths. They adhered to traditions of the Scriptures and salvation through the Holy Spirit and God.

3. In the 1500s, debate emerged among members of the Swiss Brethren. Some members did not approve of the Catholic mass being practiced within the church. They desired a faith that included voluntary believers who would promote pacifism. In 1525, the debate resulted in some members leaving with a goal of forming a new church.

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4. Those who rebelled from traditional Christian teachings in Switzerland left for other areas in Europe. When they journeyed to the Netherlands, they met a man who would become their leader, Menno Simons, a Catholic priest.

5. Although Menno favored the views of the Anabaptist doctrine, he was reluctant at first to join the movement. However, he joined the Anabaptists in 1536 following the deaths of his brother and a man who died for having been baptized again as an adult.

6. Menno quickly became a natural leader, traveling through the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany to promote the ideas of Bible faithfulness, non-violence and adult baptism. He continued for 25 years through persecution before his death in 1561. The church honored him by taking the name of Mennonites.

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