Dayton Mennonite Church

Guidelines for Congregational Organization

Standards of Practice

1. Doctrine

We are committed to an evangelical interpretation of the Bible from an Anabaptist-Mennonite point of view. We oppose any voice of influence that weakens the authority of the inspired Scripture.

2. Brotherhood

We aim to achieve unity of faith and practice through group studies for nurture, through the brotherly address and by formal restoration of erring members.

3. Nonresistance

We promote peaceful living and stand opposed to participation in any form of violence, including war.

4. Litigation - lawsuit

We disapprove the spirit of retaliation for evil and refrain from the use of the law to force an opponent into agreement.

5. Church and State

We give respect to civil government and elected officials; but in any case of conflict between the civil law and the teachings of the New Testament we obey God as a matter of conscience.

6. Oath

We apply Jesus' teaching to "swear not at all" such as in court or in legal documents where we use a simple affirmation. We refrain from the use of profanity and oppose membership in oath-bound societies.

7. Unequal Yoke

We refrain from binding obligations that compromise our faith in business, vocational, or social relations. This includes opposition to marriage of a believer to a non-Christian.

8. Culture

We use the Bible to judge secular patterns of living and reject popular trends that threaten our primary loyalty to Jesus Christ.

9. Nonconformed Living

We apply the principle of separation unto God and nonconformity to the world in the manner of our daily walk with God and in renouncing the sinful ways of the unbelieving world.

10. Occupation

We encourage choice of occupations that offer opportunity to express a Christian witness and which avoids business transactions and/or social activities that damage or restrict that witness

11. Stewardship

We urge careful management of money with a view to giving generously to charitable causes with at least a tithe for the congregation and the programs it supports. We caution against heavy expenditures for unnecessary consumer items and against questionable investments.

12. Mission

We believe that personal evangelism is an obligation for each member and that we should hold ourselves in readiness to engage in congregational outreach and church planting.

13. Worship and Nurture

We urge regular participation in all scheduled meetings of the congregation and promote daily private and family devotions.

14. Lord’s Day Observance (Sunday)

We consider Sunday as a day for rest and worship in which secular business matters are excluded and in which recreational activities are chosen carefully.

15. Recreation

We recognize the need for change from daily routine and occupational duties but caution against sensual and expensive entertainments that detract from spirituality, especially time-consuming events.

16. Temperance

We respect the human body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and teach against the use of alcohol, narcotics, tobacco, and all other forms of addiction.

17. Sexuality

We hold that differences between male and female serve divine purposes in social, spiritual and procreative functions; sexual intercourse is to be limited to husband and wife, "the bed undefiled."

18. Homosexuality

We oppose the practice of sexual intimacy between persons of the same sex because we believe it is a violation of God's law.

19. Courtship

We encourage activities that provide opportunities for developing dating friendships among Christians and, in the interest of purity, we urge observing dating practices that minimize sexual stimulation.

20. Marriage

We hold the view of permanence as it pertains to the marriage bond and oppose divorce. Remarriage after divorce while the first partner is living forfeits church membership.

21. Weddings

We encourage having wedding ceremonies in the context of church administration, but discourage elaborate and expensive arrangements.

22. Sex Distinctions

We apply biblical teachings of distinctive functions of men and women in the church upholding masculine exercise of ministerial leadership.

23. Divine Order of Headship

We accept the New Testament teaching on the divine order of headship; it is symbolized by men's short hair and uncovered head while praying and prophesying and by a veiling and long hair for women.

24. Dress

We endorse the qualities of simplicity, modesty and economy in dress and that it be free from the influence of popular styles including the use of ornamental jewelry.

25. Insurance

We urge membership in Mennonite Mutual Aid unless provision is made by an employer's fringe benefits through some other agency.

26. Funerals

We encourage consultation with the ministerial leadership while planning the service and we caution against expensive arrangements.