The Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations (AMEC) is an association of conservative evangelical Mennonite churches. The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after and influenced by the teachings and tradition of Menno Simons. ...

Background

The founding of the AMEC was the culmination of a movement to renew the 16th century Anabaptist 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 of 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. (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... Anabaptists (Greek ana+baptizo re-baptizers, German: Wiedertäufer) are Christians of the so-called radical wing of the Protestant Reformation. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... Berne is a city located in Adams County, Indiana, settled in 1852 by seventy devout Mennonite immigrants who came direct from Switzerland, and named for the capital of Switzerland. ... 1981 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1992 was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...

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. February 12 is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... September 30 is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 92 days remaining. ... Location in the state of Pennsylvania Formed May 10, 1729 Seat Lancaster Area  - Total  - Water 2,548 km² (984 mi²) 90 km² (35 mi²) 3. ... June 19 is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 195 days remaining. ... 2002(MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 28 is the 271st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (272nd in leap years). ...

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 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. 2003(MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... State nickname: The Keystone State Other U.S. States Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Governor Ed Rendell (D) Senators Arlen Specter (R) Rick Santorum (R) Official languages None Area 119,283 km² (33rd)  - Land 116,074 km²  - Water 3,208 km² (2. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki Official languages None Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... The Mennonite Church USA represents the largest group of Mennonite Christians in the United States. ... Paradise is a census-designated place located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. ... World map showing location of North America A satellite composite image of North America North America is a continent in the northern hemisphere, bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west...

Faith and Practice

Beliefs of the Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations 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 Jesus; 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..." Jesus (Greek: Ιησους Iēsoûs), also known as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ, is Christianitys central figure, both as Messiah and, for most Christians, as God incarnate. ... Anointing with oil is a practice of some Protestant bodies for members who are ill. ... Feet washing is a religious rite observed as an ordinance by several Christian denominations. ... Believers baptism (also called credobaptism) is the Christian ritual of baptism as given only to adults and children who have made a declaration of faith in Jesus as their personal savior, because he died for their sins, and was resurrected by the power of God the Father. ... The Lords Supper is a variation of the name and the service of The Last Supper or Eucharist. ...

External link

• Alliance Web Site