The Conservative Mennonite Conference came out of the Old Order Amish. The latter half of the 19th century was a time of division for some Amish communities, as issues in one Amish community quickly spread to another. The Amish Mennonites had congregations from Pennsylvania to Iowa, as well as in Ontario, Canada. Amish ministers’ conferences were organized in order to serve these churches. After the 1878 conference, there were three district conferences: Eastern, Indiana-Michigan, and Western. Some Amish congregation did not participate in these conferences, and became the forerunners of the Old Order Amish and the Conservative Mennonite Conference. Most of the churches involved in the conference movement eventually merged with other Mennonite groups. While the Old Order Amish continue to worship in private homes, and in the German language, rejecting innovations, others were theologically in between the Old Order and the more progressive conference groups, wanting a reform of Old Order life and thought, but not in the way that the more progressive conference groups were going. These churches didn’t join the conferences, but were open to the use of meeting houses, Sunday Schools, and missionary groups. Their leaders met in conference in Pigeon, Michigan in 1910, and became the Conservative Amish Mennonite Conference. In 1957, they dropped “Amish” from their name. Members of the Conservative Mennonite Conference confirm the full humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ, the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible, believer’s baptism, and non-resistance. Members refrain from gambling, alcohol, tobacco, immodest attire, swearing oaths, and sexual activity outside of marriage. In the Conservative Mennonite Conference, women may be involved in ministry, but leadership and ordination is restricted to men. They are loosely affiliated with the Mennonite Church, support an active educational program, including Rosedale Bible Institute, and an active mission program.
Recommended Resources
Situated on Bethel Church Road near Clayhole, Kentucky, the Conservative Mennonite Board of Missions purchased a former children’s home in 1957, and many of the original buildings are still in use. Its history and an overview of the facilities are put forth, along with photographs, schedules, and a camp newsletter. Registration forms may be downloaded from the site, and contacts are posted.
http://www.bethelcamp.org/
Conservative Mennonite Conference
The Conservative Mennonites have their roots in the Amish Mennonites, from which they broke away in 1910. The denomination’s history, organizational structure, and beliefs are outlined, along with a variety of administrative and ministry resources, including information about ministerial credentialing, pastoral evaluation and salary guidelines for pastors, as well as a directory of overseers, ministers, congregations, and affiliations.
http://cmcrosedale.org/
Equipper is a ministry of the Conservative Mennonite Conference, offering sermon aids, such as sample study notes, lesson plans and video, as well as teaching aids, counseling lesson plans, and leadership information, lessons on note-taking, church structure, pastoral accountability, and a discussion of denominational differences. Helps for discipleship, and conducting a worship service are also featured, with information on youth ministries, and other topics.
http://www.equipper.tv/
Located on 250 acres in southwest Florida, and affiliated with the Conservative Mennonite Conference, the camp is a year-round camping program designed for adolescent boys from the age of ten to fifteen. Its mission, activities and educational programs are discussed, parent testimonies are posted, and a schedule of upcoming programs and events are included, with staff contacts.
http://www.gatorwildernesscamp.com/
In 1914, the Conservative Mennonite Conference began a children’s orphanage in Maryland, which closed in 1938. Twenty years later, the CMC donated the land and building to establish Mennonite nursing home, which later expanded to include assisted living apartments and a retirement village. Its retirement village, assisted living program, and skilled nursing facilities are featured.
http://www.goodwillhome.org/
Affiliated with the Conservative Mennonite Conference, the Christian college offers an Associate degree in Biblical Studies, offering eight concentrations. Its accreditation status, a catalog of courses, course schedules, and an academic calendar is published, along with its admissions policies, campus life programs, financial aid options, alumni programs and internship opportunities.
http://www.rosedale.edu/
RMM is a mission agency of the Conservative Mennonite Conference, created to establish locally led fellowships that will spread the word of Jesus to their communities, giving priority to communities that have not been reached. Its history, boards, staff, and contacts are posted to the site, with an overview of its strategies and projects, locations, and publications. Short-term and long-term mission opportunities are highlighted.
http://www.rmmweb.org/
