Sacraments/ordinances
The idea of “sacrament” comes from the doctrinal language of many church traditions–Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian, etc. Mennonites emerged out of that European ecclesiastical scene and never have comfortably used the word “sacrament” perhaps because the term may suggest that it is a purveyor of sacred mystery that only the sacred, qualified person can promote.
Mennonites have sometimes spoken of their own practices as “symbols” or “ordinances”, i.e. those practices which are taught/ordained by Christ and the Apostles, and which also “teach” and “order” their common life of faith. Influential Mennonite Church leaders from 1900 to 1940 used the language of “ordinance” and taught that there were seven “biblical ordinances”: baptism on confession of faith; communion–or the Lord’s Supper; washing of the saints’ feet; the holy kiss; marriage; ordination of elders/bishops, ministers/preachers of the Word, deacons; and anointing with oil for healing.
The current Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective refers to “sacrament”, “symbol”, and “ordinance”, but prefers the language of “sign” for baptism and communion; “act” for ordination; “covenant” for marriage; “parable” for [optional] foot-washing.
Baptism
Communion
Footwashing
Holy Kiss
Marriage (we don’t have one!)
Ordination
Anointing (don’t have that either)
