About US

Our Identity

We are a Neo-monastic Anabaptist Mennonite Community situated in the heart of Wichita, Kansas (see the map). As of July 1, 2011, we have 30 covenanted members, 18 friends, 3 teenagers, and 6 children.

Anabaptist Mennonite

We are dedicated to following Christ in the radical tradition of Anabaptist-Mennonites. We are members of the Mennonite Church U.S.A.

Mennonites trace their lineage back to Menno Simons, a leader of the Anabaptist movement during the 16th century Reformation. As followers of Christ, the Anabaptists embraced nonviolence, loved neighbor and enemy, built a community of equals, and shared materially. We try to bring that commitment and spirit to the city of Wichita in the 21st century.

Neo-Monastic

We also identify with the "New Monastic Movement." This movement is characterized by twelve marks.

These marks include, practicing spiritual disciplines as the way of Christ, sharing economic resources with community members, practicing hospitality to the stranger, humble submission to Christ's body (the church), nurturing the common life,  and keeping the Rule of Christ (Matt. 18:15-20).

Our "monastic" character is summarized by our three identity statements:

Committing ourselves to radical and biblical spirituality

Living in relational and accountable community

Seeking Christ's peace within and in the world

Our Covenant

Every year during Easter week, we gather to renew our membership or become a member by signing the following covenant.

Our Understandings

To supplement Our Covenant, we have written Our Understandings, which function like "by-laws" for the church. It clarifies the meaning of the covenant, the process we call covenanting, church life, and leadership. The current Understandings were affirmed on June 21, 2009.

Our Confession of Faith

We affirm A Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective (Scottdale, Pennsylvania, Herald, 1996). Here is an official summary.

Our Sharing Fund

We maintain a small Sharing Fund in an account separate from our general fund for the specific purpose of aiding members and participants who have financial needs. Such money can be considered a loan or a gift. These funds are made available by the treasurer after approval by at least two members of the Church Council (excepting the pastor and the treasurer). The current Sharing Fund Policy (July 24, 2011) gives details for administration of this fund.

Our Mission

Our mission is to build "a community covenanted to follow the way of Jesus Christ through practicing peace and reconciliation, sharing our lives in love and accountability, and bringing the good news of the Reign of God to the world."