Missionary Church

Missionary Church
Orientation Evangelical, Anabaptists
Associations National Association of Evangelicals
Headquarters Fort Wayne, Indiana
Origin 1969[1]
Detroit, Michigan
Merger of United Missionary Church and the Missionary Church Association
Congregations 1,800[2]
Members 206,000[3]
Official website www.mcusa.org

The Missionary Church is an evangelical Christian denomination of Anabaptist origins. They are committed to Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the Great Commission.

Faith and practice

The Missionary Church recognizes Jesus Christ as the ultimate authority.

The Missionary Church, in obedience to Jesus Christ her Lord, is committed to being holy people of God in the world and to building His Church by worldwide evangelism, discipleship and multiplication of growing churches, all to the glory of God.

They are committed to the Great Commission: multiplying disciples who multiply disciples who multiply disciples. That is the command that Jesus gave us, and Missionary Church will not be distracted by buildings, programs, or anything else.

Core Values

Biblically Grounded: Missionary Church is fiercely faithful to core biblical doctrines, to ensure that they stay theologically sound. Some leaders and members, however, are becoming increasingly dogmatically exclusive on several doctrines (particularly the belief in a literal Adam and Eve and Young Earth Creationism).

Relationally Connected: They encourages, facilitates and resources churches, rather than direct them. The goal is to inspire and partner with one another to increase ministry effectiveness.

Creativity Embracing: They are unique in the fact that they allow local churches freedom to minister effectively in their contexts. This is because they are a permission-giving culture, not a restricting one.

Leadership Empowering: They identify, develop, and release leaders. They do not limit God in who He calls to leadership.

Kingdom Minded: They focus more on the mission than the institution. They share best practices with like-minded organizations and partner with them. And They also encourage and support Kingdom endeavors.

Beliefs

Scripture is our authority. The Missionary Church is committed to this basic statement of faith.

GOD. There is only one eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing and everywhere-present Triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit— who is the creator and sustainer of all things (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 1 Timothy 2:5).

JESUS CHRIST. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human. He lived a sinless life, died to make atonement for the sins of all mankind, was resurrected and is now mediator at the right hand of the Father. He is coming again in power and glory for His believing followers, and is the only Savior of mankind (John 1:1, 14; Titus 2:11-14).

HOLY SPIRIT. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, regenerating all who repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. He sanctifies, empowers, teaches, guides and comforts the believers (John 16:7, 8, 12-15).

BIBLE. The Bible is the inerrant, divinely inspired Word of God and authoritative in all matters it addresses (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

SALVATION. Salvation is the result of genuine repentance of sin and faith in the atoning work of Christ. It brings forgiveness to the repentant, makes him a participant of the divine nature and gives peace with God. We call this new birth (Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

CHURCH. Missionary Church believes in the invisible and universal Church as the living Body of Christ. It is composed of all believers in the Lord Jesus who have been vitally united by faith to Christ, its living Head and sovereign Lord (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 12:22-24).

ORDINANCES. Missionary Church believes there are two Christian ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They believe they are outward rites appointed by Christ to be administered in each church, not as a means of salvation, but as a visible sign and seal of its reality (Acts 8:36; 1 Corinthians 11:24-34).

Roots

The Missionary Church has a rich theological heritage that serves as a launching pad for aggressive outreach. While our message from the Bible is unchangeable, our methods of communication must change to reach every culture for Christ.

Early leaders had a commitment to the position that the Scriptures were to be the source of doctrine and life. In addition to this commitment to be a biblical church, the theological perspective of the Missionary Church recognizes the contribution of John Wesley’s emphasis on “the warmed heart;” A.B. Simpson’s fourfold emphasis on Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King; the Anabaptist concepts of community and brotherhood; and the evangelical emphases of the lost estate of mankind and redemption through Jesus Christ.

The Missionary Church is a unique blend of the thought and life of a people who have sought to build their church according to the Scriptures with an appreciation for their historical roots.

History

The Missionary Church was the name selected following the merger of the Missionary Church Association and the United Missionary Church in 1969. This was possible because both denominations were committed to preaching only what was in the Bible and to evangelizing the world.

The United Missionary Church, known until 1947 as the Mennonite Brethren in Christ, was formed at a meeting near Dayton, Ohio, in 1883. It began, however, in the 1850s when a number of Mennonite ministers were dismissed from their former churches for having prayer meetings, holding revival services, and giving public testimonies. It was largely through the leadership of Daniel Brenneman and Solomon Eby that the denomination was organized.

Joseph Ramseyer founded the Missionary Church Association after he was dismissed from his former denomination for wanting to be baptized by immersion as a born-again believer in Christ. Ramseyer continued to preach the message of God’s love through Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. In 1898, those who shared his convictions adopted the name “Missionary Church Association” because of their desire to evangelize the world.

Relationships

The Missionary Church has productive relationships with a number of other churches, mission agencies and ministry organizations committed to Scripture and to the cause of Christ in the world.

As a member of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), the Missionary Church responds generously to appeals from World Relief Corporation (the international assistance arm of NAE) for funds to meet disaster and poverty needs around the world.

References

  1. ↑ "History of the Missionary Church". Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  2. ↑ "Missionary Church - Who We are". Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  3. ↑ "mcusawho".
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