About Us - Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church

Who Are We?

We are Christians committed to following the Way of Jesus Christ.
We believe that God is at work in the world--saving, transforming and redeeming.
We believe that God calls us to join God's mission, especially through worship, fellowship and service.
We believe that the Holy Spirit helps us discern and empowers us to join God's mission whether across the street or around the World.
We believe in welcoming others into the Body of Christ.
We strive to live what we believe.

Constitution

"Who We Are"

Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church

1987*

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Preamble

The individuals subscribing to this constitution unite to foster the Christian Life, to work together in the bond of love, and to cultivate the unity of the Spirit. They do this in the response to the prayer of their Lord, “that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us . . . .(John 17:21). The history of the Christian church teaches the necessity of such a unity.

To promote such a spirit of unity the following articles form the basis for this organized fellowship.

Article I. Name

The name of this fellowship shall be, “The Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church” located near Inman, Kansas.

Article II. Affiliation

For the purpose of its denominational duties and privileges, this Congregation shall be a member of the “Mennonite Church USA” and of the “Western District Conference,” a member of Mennonite Church USA.

Article III. Relationships

With roots deeply grounded in the Judeo-Christian faith, this congregation finds its particular identity in the Anabaptist-Mennonite witness dating from the 16^th century and carried forward to the present by faithful servants of Christ.

This Congregation shall seek to form a wholesome working relationship with the Mennonite Church USA and the Western District Conference. It shall seek to support the conference programs, to respect its resolutions, to send delegates to its sessions, and to promote the welfare of the Conference as such.

Article IV. Our Common Faith and Purpose

Section A. One Foundation

The Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church acknowledges the Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments, as the only infallible guide in faith and conduct. It builds itself upon the sole foundation and cornerstone, Jesus Christ. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11).” It acknowledges Him as the only Savior and Lord. In matters of faith, the congregation holds to the doctrine of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8,9; Titus 3:5), baptism on confession of faith (Acts 8:12; 2:38), the avoidance of oaths (Matt. 5:34-37; James 5:12), the biblical doctrine of peace and nonresistance (Matt 5:39-48; Rom. 12:9-21), nonconformity to the world (Rom. 12:1,2; Eph. 4:22-24), and the practice of scriptural discipline (Matt. 18:15-17; Eph. 4:15, 16). These tenets of faith call for a separated life.

We believe that the Christian should seriously strive to remain free from evil. As individual members of the body of Christ we are instructed to practice moderation and discipline in our personal lives. Love, patience, self-control, kindness, peace, fidelity, and sobriety are to be indicative of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Section B. Many Ministries

The Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church shall seek to promote and extend the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. More specifically, the congregation will seek to do the following:

1. Worship God as revealed through Jesus Christ.
2. Promote opportunities for persons to have a relationship with Jesus.
3. Encourage each member to understand and participate in the task of personally sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others.
4. Provide opportunities to teach the Christian faith and practice to adults and children.
5. Minister to the spiritual and physical needs of the congregation.
6. Build the Kingdom of God at home and abroad by supporting Mennonite Church USA and the Western District Conference.
7. Promote fellowship, unity and love in the local congregation and among other congregations of Mennonite Church USA.
8. Unite in Christian fellowship and mission with other congregations and institutions in the local community through the ministerial associations.

Section C. Ordinances

Baptism: Baptism shall be administered upon confession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Instruction in preparation for church membership shall precede baptism. The applicant shall have the privilege of making public confession of faith before the Congregation. Upon recommendation of the Board of Deacons the Congregation shall give its approval for baptism. The customary form of baptism is by pouring.

Holy Communion: The Lord’s Supper, as instituted by Christ in Matthew 26: 26-29, shall be observed as planned by the Board of Deacons. All members, after making spiritual preparation, are urged to participate. (1 Cor. 11:23-29). Others who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and are at peace with others are also welcome to participate.

Marriage: Recognizing that marriage is a covenant relationship with God and another individual, the marriage shall be officiated by a Minister of the Gospel. This is ordinarily a public service. Members intending to be married shall have sessions with the pastor and seek the counsel of the pastor. Marriage of believers with unbelievers is not sanctioned (2 Cor 6:14). Approaching marriages of members shall be announced publicly at regular services of the congregation and God’s blessing asked upon the union.

Parent-Child Dedication: Parent-Child dedication is a proper expression of Christian parenthood as illustrated in Scripture. Services for this purpose shall be observed and arranged by the pastor and the parents.

Licensing and Ordination: The licensing and ordination of ministers, missionaries and other church workers shall be carried out in accord with the practices of Mennonite Church USA. Candidates for licensing and ordination shall submit to such procedures and examinations as are required by Mennonite Church USA on the Ministry or the Committee on the Ministry of the Western District Conference.

Article V. Membership

Section A. General Statement

Membership in the Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, as understood in the Anabaptist-Mennonite Tradition, is both voluntary and intentional. Christians are admonished not only to have concern for individuals who are non-Christian, but also to have concern for those individuals who have committed themselves through baptism to the Body of Christ which is the Church.

The Christian community is admonished to live in accordance with scripture. Humankind, by our very nature, falls short of God’s perfection and is therefore always in need of God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul reminds us to “… encourage one another and build one another up . . ..”

It was Jesus who stated the great and first commandment, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind . . ..” The second commandment is, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself . . . (Matt. 22:37-40).” These commandments are lifetime tasks. Christian freedom and liberty in daily living are the focus of Galatians 5:13-21. The gifts of the Spirit follow in Galatians 5:22-23. As we strive to practice the fruits of the Spirit, mutual encouragement and discipline are needed among the members.

It is the responsibility of each member of the congregation to seek measures to restore such in the spirit of redemptive love (Gal. 6:1). Where difficulties occur, members are urged to follow the procedures which Jesus outlines in Matthew 18:15-20.

Section B. Qualifications and Requirements

This congregation welcomes into its fellowship individuals who:

1. have been baptized upon confession of their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, or are Christians who hold membership in other congregations and who wish to unite with this congregation.
2. have evidence of Christian character,
3. have accepted the common faith and purposes of the congregation as stated in Article IV of this constitution,
4. shall assume the rights and responsibilities of congregational membership.

Section C. Requests and Reception

Requests for all persons desiring membership shall be made to the Pastor and the Board of Deacons. Recommendations for all memberships are made by the Board of Deacons to the Church Council for their approval.
Requests of individuals holding membership in other congregations who desire affiliation with the Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church shall request that a letter of transfer by sent from that congregation to the Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church.
The names of all individuals recommended by the Board of Deacons and approved by the Church Council, shall be printed in the worship bulletin at least one week prior to their reception into membership.
Reception of individuals who meet the qualifications and requirements for membership in Section B shall be received into membership during a regularly scheduled worship service.

Section D. Responsibilities and Privileges of Membership

Each member shall:

1. Examine her/himself and exercise self-discipline in regard to offenses which bring disgrace to her/himself and the Church (1Co. 11:31; 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 6:4),
2. Continue to subscribe to the common faith and purposes as stated in Article IV,
3. Participate in the decision-making process of the congregation as able to do so,
4. Share their spiritual gifts with the congregation and financial gifts with the congregation as able to do so.
5. Share leadership responsibilities as able to do so.

Section E. Associate Membership

Individuals who are residents of our community and who are affiliated with a congregation too far distant to attend or personally support that congregation, may become associate members. They shall have all the privileges of regular membership except those of voting and holding any office of the Church Council, or being a member of the Board of Deacons, Board of Education or the Board of Trustees. Associate membership may be requested to be granted for a period of two years and may be requested to be extended by making application to the Board of Deacons and the Pastor. After the recommendation of the Board of Deacons and the approval of the Church Councill, associate members shall be received into the fellowship as in Section C. 2., as associate members. Subsequent applications and continuation of associate membership status will require only the approval of the Board of Deacons.

Whenever possible, associate members shall be encouraged to consider full membership status.

The termination of associate members is the same as that of full members.

Section F. Termination

Termination of membership may occur by:

1. Request of Member: Members who wish to withdraw their membership from this congregation shall upon their written request to the Pastor have a letter of transfer sent directly to the congregation in which they seek membership. With the approval of the Board of Deacons the Pastor, or a person designated by the Board of Deacons, shall send a letter of transfer to the congregation in which they seek membership. Ordinarily such a letter shall be forwarded to the receiving congregation with in four weeks after receiving the member’s written request. The names of persons transferring membership to another congregation shall be printed in the regular worship bulletin.
2. Unchristian Conduct of Member: Individuals who bring reproach upon the name of Christ, the Church, and themselves shall be the concern of the congregation. Christian love and concern shall be shown to members in the hope that reconciliation will occur. Unchristian conduct may warrant action recommended by the Board of Deacons, the Pastor, and the approval of the Church Council for a decision by the congregation. The consideration of termination of membership by dismissal of members shall always be made with the hope and expectancy that individuals will want to be restored to membership.
3. Requests of membership who wish to terminate membership without transferring membership to another congregation shall be considered by the Board of Deacons and the Pastor.

Section G. Restoration and Reinstatement

Since termination of membership by dismissal of members shall always be made with the expectancy that the individual may, upon written request, be restored to membership, it then follows that members may be reinstated into the fellowship by the recommendation of the Board of Deacons and the Pastor and the approval of the Church Council for a decision by the congregation.

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* All references to the “General Conference Mennonite Church” have been changed to “Mennonite Church USA” because Hoffnungsau voted to join MC USA, which is the merger of the Mennonite Church General Conference (MC) and the General Conference Mennonite Church (GC)

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