Center Amish Mennonite Church Church Discipline Introduction It is our prayer and desire to be a church that is in complete harmony with the Scriptures: a church that is composed of members that have been born anew through faith in Christ Jesus, with their sins wahed in the blood of the Lamb, and having the witness of God's Spirit to their spirits that they are the children of God. We recognize that the Bible is clear on it's teaching of principles, for example: nonresistance and nonconformity. We also realize that God has left the matter of interpretation and application of such principles to His people. However, we believe that God expects us to express Biblical principles with reasonable degree of uniformity in any climate or circumstance. Observation teaches us that where there is no uniformity the principle is often lost. In order to preserve these principles it is important that every member assumes personal reponsibility. Our Ministry and Witness We should maintain a relationship with out Lord so that our lives will be a witness to Christ to our fellow man, not hesitating to share the Good News wherever we go. Let us not forget to do good unto those of the household of faith, bearing each other's burdens, in sorrow, in sickness, in trials and temptations, in material hardships, giving attention to the widows and fatherless. Hospitality should be shown to one another. Members who are phisically able are expected to support worship services and service opportunities sponsored by the church We should give tithes and offerings cheerfully and systematically as the Lord prospers. We believe that our schedule and activities should be planned with respect to the importance of the Christian home. We should regard out children as our foremost missionary charge. Family heads should take their responsibility in maintaining meaningful daily family worship. Homes should be built and furnished in keeping with standards of Christian stewardship and simplicity. Dating and courtship standards must be rooted in Biblical principles of purity and holiness. This means a hands off policy. Let it be a time of sharing and discovery on the spiritual, mental, and social levels. (Well-lighted living rooms are considered suitable locations, parked cars are not.) We would encourage openness between parents and young people concerning these matters. We believe that entertainment and amusement do not offer sufficient justification for a Christian to give his time to such: carnivals, circuses, fair entertainment, movie houses, rodeos, skating rinks, dance halls, bowling alleys, races, and college, high school, and professional sports events. Face card and rook games are forbidden. Mixed swiming and public places of bathing are considered offensive to Christian values of modesty and propriety. The use of tobacco and alcoholic beverages, together with radios and television sets are not permitted. These are a test of membership. When cameras are used, we should be careful not to offend the conciences of those who might consider them unscriptural. Care should be exercised in the purchase of CD's, tapes, and records; recognizing the negative influence of wrong music. Musical instruments should be avoided for public worship and personal use (except in classroom situations). Our driving habits should exemplify Christian courtesy and consideration for our fellow men. Reckless driving is a logical expression of careless living and obviously out of harmony with the Christian's view of the sanctity of human life. Cars should be modest in appearance, not loud colored nor two-toned (exception for two-toned vehicles is allowed when purchasing vehicles that are about 2/3 depreciated), and without vain interior or exterior decorations and loud mufflers. We should avoid needless Sunday driving and purchasing gasoline on Sunday. Christian stewardship, simplicity, and utility should be chief guiding principles in selecting and buying automobiles. Men's Appearance Married men should wear beards that are not so short that they convey an apologetic message. They should be kept neat and clean. We continue to encourage a full beard. Men's haircuts and grooming shall be after an established pattern. Such passing styles as crew cuts, extended sideburns, or excessively long hair are not permitted. A pattern of making frequent changes indicates a restlessness to please men and has it's origin in the flesh and the world. Hair parting shall be in the middle, and the hair kept off the forehead. When choosing headgear, we avoid bill caps. Trousers shall not be extremely tight, avoiding stylish and impractical patterns. Belts should be black or matching the trousers' color and buckles shll be without ornamentation. Plain brown work belts are approved. Socks should be dark and solid colored. Dress shoes should be black. The plain coat with hooks and eyes is our established pattern. It's wearing should not be merely for worship services. Loud and gaudy colors, sporty patterns from shoes to hats are a hindrance to the Christian witness. Abbreviated clothing is considered immodest. No short-sleeved shirts should be worn in worship service. Sister's Appearance Sister's clothing should be modest. Skirt length should be at least midway between knees and ankles. Capes or plain bib aprons should be worn in public places. Capes should be a uniform pattern. Dresses should be uniform in design with pleats or gathers to obscure body contours. Front or back zippers or snap fasteners may be used. At least three-quarter length sleeves should be worn in worship services. Short sleeves (just above the elbow) are approved for social activities and work. Dress hose are to be black, with brown hose approved for casual wear. Dress shoes should be black and modest, avoiding extreme styles of high heels, low cuts, and cut-outs. The use of make-up is contrary to Bible teaching. Bonnets, hoods, or black or white scarves should be worn if a weather garmet is needed. Sweaters should not be loud-colored. We recognize the Christian woman's head-covering (I Corinthians 11:1-16) as an unchanging Biblical symbol of headship, rooted in creation. The hair should be put up to conveniently accommodate a covering (white veilings are approved for nightwear and travel). Scriptural teaching requires that we give prominence to the covering rather than the hair in appearance. The covering should be worn at least as far forward as the ears. Covering material should be at least equal in weight to that which is presently approved. Costume jewelry or the wearing of gold for adornment is contrary to the letter and spirit of New Testament teaching (I Peter 3:3). If young girls do not wear their braids up, they should be braided sufficiently so that they could be put up. In general, parents should provide clothing for their children that is consistent with those required of church members. Conclusion The foregoing statement has been formulated to give guidance in the expression of certain Christian principles. It is necessary that we see both the value and the limitations of such a statement. It's value will be realixed to the extent that we maintain Scriptural balance in this area. First of all, this is not an exhaustive statement. Our response to items encountered that are not specifically mentioned should be consistent with the general intent of this statement. Secondly, we should consider the observence of this statement as one result of our conversion to Christ. Let us never substitute obedience to church rules for yieldedness to God and His Word. They need to go together.