HumbleDan wrote: ↑Tue Jul 18, 2023 2:45 pm
Hello,
I am looking for an anabaptist church for myself, my wife, and 3.5 year old daughter to visit in the Ephrata, PA area that has experience welcoming seekers with no anabaptist background.
Intermediate-conservative or something similar would be best as my wife is still studying scripture and may need time before being ready to meeting more conservative expectations.
A place where we would both be comfortable although we are at different places in our faith.
I am looking for a community that aligns with biblical principles, has a great mens Bible study group, and an overall strong community that takes care of one another.
Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you.
Hi HumbleDan.
My wife and I are seekers too, in a similar position, except very far from any anabaptist churches.
Our entry into the mennonite word has been to visit moderate-conservative churches; they tend to be light on any applications or strict practices or rules that cannot be easily understood or explained biblically, but they are insistent on holding the line on any "clear biblical commands."
The Biblical Mennonite Alliance (BMA) was where we introduced ourselves into this tradition, along with a conservative-leaning congregation of the Rosedale Network of Churches (formerly Conservative Mennonite Conference, CMC). The BMA came out of the CMA (Rosedale) when the latter decided that the headship order (1 Corinthians 11) was not necessary for Christian expression. Those who would form the BMA felt that the passage is a clear command for followers of Christ. Conservative churches in the CMC/Rosedale still practice the headcovering, but the majority do not.
There are many applications in each BMA church and some across the whole alliance that would still be confusing or difficult for an outsider to conform to or understand. Their application of modesty is different at each church, but I think they are insistent that male members don't where shorts, for example. But most people in other Mennonite circles (and on this forum) usually bemoan the BMA not for its strict rules, but rather for its leniency. They don't have any strict regulations against TV/movies/radio for example (although individual churches might), and this makes them too "worldly" in the eyes of some.
The best way to get to know a church is to visit. I met the pastor of Cornerstone Mennonite Church in Ephrata and his wife, Nelson and Dorita Gehman. They are terrific people and you'd enjoy visiting with them.
https://cmfchurch.org/
I think, from what you mention, that a BMA church would be a good place for you to start your journey since they hold strongly to biblical principles and yet are very easy for seekers to come into... but you usually find "an overall strong community that takes care of one another" in more traditional/conservative groups. So be honest about your desires and what you're looking for. The pastors and laymen at these churches will probably help you discern and will be happy to help shepherd you even if you're going to be learning from them for a time before you find a long-term home in a better community.
My wife and I may not end up at a BMA church, or even a church associated with a big conference or denominational structure. But it has been very helpful entering in with a big, far-reaching, and diverse group such as the BMA. They are having their big convention meeting this coming weekend and we are going (we were invited to attend by all 5+ BMA churches we've visited, so why not?):
https://biblicalmennonite.com/convention/
It might be overwhelming to attend a convention so early on in your search, but I think it would be fruitful to at least pop in, since it's not far from you. My wife and I will actually be staying with a family from Cornerstone in Ephrata! PM me if you will be around this weekend, in Lancaster or in Ephrata.
God bless your journey. I'd love to meet and visit in person a fellow seeker. Maybe we'll be blessed to cross paths this weekend, who knows? If not, maybe in God's plan further down the road.