Metamora Mennonite Church

Does the church arrogantly think all other religions are wrong?

2009-07-17T11:04:15-05:00

There was a time in American life when people would ask, "What denomination are you?", assuming that you were Christian. Today people ask, "What religion are you?". Things have changed. We live in a pluralistic culture where people of many varying faiths, or none at all, live side by side in community.

How do we relate to people of other faiths and beliefs as followers of Jesus? The perception of many outside the church is that Christians respond by making arrogant judgments on all others religions, declaring them wrong. In the process of defending Christianity as "right" have Christians engaged in some very unJesus-like behavior, not valuing or respecting other people?

That is what we will explore this Sunday in worship at Metamora Mennonite.

Worship begins at 9 am. Nursery and Kid's church is available for infants through 5th grade students.

If you have any questions, please contact the church office!

Next Sunday: Is the church homophobic?

2009-07-10T12:44:16-05:00

This Sunday, July 12, we will continue our series They Like Jesus But Not the Church with a message on homosexuality.

There is a perception by many (actually most) outside of the church that the church is homophobic and does not demonstrate the love of Jesus towards the homosexual community. Is there truth in that perception? Have Christians in subtle and not so subtle ways treated homosexual persons with an irrational fear that leads to anger and hatred? How do we embody the love of Jesus in the midst of this hotly debated and tension filled topic?

Worship is at 9 am! Nursery care and children's church are available during the service for birth through 5th grade.

Sunday, July 5: Nate Rauh speaking @ MMC

2009-06-30T07:43:42-05:00

This Sunday, July 5, 2009, we welcome Nate Rauh to MMC. Nate is a Metamora Native who is connected to MMC. He recently finished his undergraduate degree at Wheaton College and is heading to Duke Divinity School to begin graduate school this Fall.

Nate brings a love for Jesus and His church, as well as a sharp mind and a unique perspective as a young adult! He has also spent significant time doing ministry in Ethiopia in the context of HIV/Aids and how the church responds. As we consider what it looks like to be the church in our current place and time, Nate has much to offer!

Worship begins @ 9 am! Kid's church and nursery are available during worship!

If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

Is the church male-dominated? Does it oppress women?

2009-06-22T17:24:12-05:00

There is a perception by many outside of the church that the church is male-dominated and restricts the role of women. The perception is partially correct because, in reality, some local churches are male-dominated and do restrict the role of women. While this is not true of every local church, it's true in enough local churches to cause women to ask, 'Are women valued in the church?" and "How do women's gifts take expression in the church?: These are ironic questions given the radical inclusion of women demonstrated by Jesus. Yet, they remain.

What do the scriptures say about the role of women in Jesus' church? How do we understand them and apply them in our context today? That is what we are exploring in week 3 of our series, "They Like Jesus but Not the Church."

Come ready to explore what it means to follow Jesus in the complex and rapidly changing environment of American culture!

Worship begins at 9 am! Nursery and Kid's Celebration are available from birth through 5th grade!

Contact the church office with questions! 309.367.4892 or metmenno@mtco.com

Moving Forward...

2009-06-21T11:58:07-05:00

This morning we came to the end of one process and the beginning of another. We came to the end of our discernment process with a congregational vote following this morning's worship service. There were two questions on the ballot:

Will we, the faith community of Metamora Mennonite Church, accept the primary leadership role and responsibility for the Metamora Area Food Pantry? The vote passed with a 97% majority (71 yes votes, 2 not votes)
Will we, the faith community of Metamora Mennonite Church, purchase the property at 1200 W. Mount Vernon Street, Metamora, IL from the Metro Peoria Baptist Association for the amount of $1. The vote on this question passed with a 94% majority (67 yes, 4 no, 2 abstained)

With both resolutions passing, that means we are on a new journey! Setting up the ministry, transitioning leadership, and all the final details (legal stuff).

This journey would not be possible if not for the generosity and self-less vision of the Peoria Metro Baptist Association. Thank you on behalf of the congregation.

It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Is the church judgmental, negative and political?

2009-06-17T10:39:55-05:00

What are Christians primarily known for today? Are we known as people who love God and love their neighbors? Or are we known as people who are judgmental, negative and political?

That is what we are exploring in week 2 of our series, "They Like Jesus but Not the Church". The series is based on the work of Pastor/teacher Dan Kimball and explores emerging generations and their perceptions of the church and Christians.

Come ready to explore what it means to follow Jesus in the complex and rapidly changing environment of American culture!

Worship begins at 9 am! Nursery and Kid's Celebration are available from birth through 5th grade!

Contact the church office with questions! 309.367.4892 or metmenno@mtco.com

A community of men and women, forgiven!

2009-06-10T10:15:58-05:00

Last Sunday (June 7) Gamaliel Falla spoke to the gathered community at MMC. He brought a word to us that was life-giving and challenging based on Acts 2. Here were Gamaliel's 4 main points about the church.

The church is...

A community of men and women, forgiven!
- That means we are willing to forgive and able to forgive easily.
- This ability comes from the Holy Spirit who changes us.
A growing community to fulfill the mission of Jesus.
- We exist to be salt and light in the world, calling people to new life.
A community that believes in the supernatural power of God.
- It isn't about us and what we can do, it is about God and what God can and is doing.
A community of service and fellowship.
- We serve others the way Jesus served others.
- We live in harmony (learning how to tolerate one another) through the power of the Holy Spirit.

How do you experience life as a part of Jesus' body, the church? How do Gamaliel's words challenge you and push you towards growth? How are Gamaliel's words a cause for growth, joy, hope and celebration?

Summer Sabbatical for Student Ministries!

2009-06-09T19:02:45-05:00

During June, July and August, our midweek ministries for elementary through High school go on Sabbatical (we don't meet)! Enjoy time with your friends, family and neighbors. We will let you know when these ministries start up in the Fall!

Sunday, June 7: Gamaliel and Amanda Falla

2009-06-04T10:52:55-05:00

Sunday, June 7, Amanda and Gamaliel Falla, and some of their family, will join us in worship. Gamaliel will speak during morning worship. We will also have a potluck following Sunday school.

Gamaliel and Amanda are currently serving in Barranquilla, Colombia. They work to equip missional church leaders in the Barranquilla region. Come hear their stories about how God is working in Colombia!

Worship begins at 9 am.

Update on Local Food Pantry Process

2009-05-29T17:11:21-05:00

Thank you for your continued prayers as we process decisions related to the local food pantry in Metamora. Our key decision at this point concerns the property at 1200 W. Mount Vernon St, Metamora, IL. Key dates for members and friends interested in the food pantry.

Sunday, May 31 - Congregational Meeting to discuss date about the property

Sunday, June 7 - Two week notice for official congregational vote concerning the property. There will also be an open house to see the property. There will be an open house for 1 hour directly following 9 am worship and following the potluck after Sunday school.

To read the updated decision making process, please continue reading...

Food Pantry Decision Making Process Update

On Thursday, May 14, Jim Hauter, representing the Metro Peoria Baptist Association, met with Pastor Michael. In the meeting Jim offered to gift the property at 1200 W. Mount Vernon, Metamora, IL to Metamora Mennonite Church for the purpose of ongoing ministry to the community. That offer changed our decision making process. Because of that change the Agreement on Procedure, dated Thursday, March 26, is no longer in effect. Specifically, step 5 has been abandoned and additional steps have been added.

A Brief History of the Process thus far

On Sunday, April 19, the congregation met following a potluck. During that gathering, those present unanimously affirmed that we should move forward, taking leadership in the local food pantry.

On Sunday, May 3, the congregation gathered following Sunday school to discuss the options concerning the location of the food pantry. We considered the option of purchasing the current facility at 1200 N. Mt. Vernon, leasing space or running the pantry out of Metamora Mennonite Church. At the end of that meeting, the strong consensus (38 to 2) was that we run the pantry out of our property.

On Thursday, May 14, Jim Hauter extended an offer to gift Metamora Mennonite Church the property at 1200 W. Mt. Vernon. The Leadership Team determined that this offer fundamentally changed the decision making process. Therefore, they shifted the planned emphasis of the May 17 meeting to focus on this question: Should we pursue accepting the property and running the food pantry from that location.

On Sunday, May 17, the congregation gathered to discuss accepting the gift of property and how to process that decision. The consensus (39 to 1) of the group was that we should pursue accepting the property. The group wished to have information about the condition of the property, the value of the property, and the cost of ownership.

Next Steps

On Sunday, May 24, it was announced in worship that there will be a congregational meeting on Sunday, May 31, following Sunday school, contingent upon getting useful data from a building inspection and appraisal. That data is secure and the meeting will go forward.

On Sunday, May 31 we will gather to share information about the property, and answer further questions.

On Sunday, June 7 there will be an open house at the property [1200 W. Mt. Vernon, Metamora, IL – It is on the South side of Route 116, West of The Flame] People can visit the property for 1 hour following the 9 am worship service. Additionally, people can visit the property following the potluck. If people cannot make either time, they can contact Pastor Michael to arrange to see the property.

On Sunday, June 7 an announcement will be made in worship concerning the congregational vote to be taken on Sunday, June 21.

On Sunday, June 21, we will have a congregational vote. The focus of the vote will be whether or not to accept the property offered to us as a gift from the Metro Peoria Baptist Association for the purpose of running the local food pantry.

Open Process

Once again, this is an open process. Please feel free to contact the Leadership Team, Pastors or Missions Team members with any questions or comments along the way. Thank you for bearing with us through a confusing change in process.