The word “Mennonite” comes from the name of one of the early leaders of the Protestant Reformation, a former Roman Catholic priest named Menno Simons. The Mennonites believe in the commonly held doctrines of the Christian faith, such as the deity and the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, that everyone has sinned and is in need of God’s salvation, that a personal faith in Christ’s death on the cross assures salvation, that eternal life is guaranteed through Christ’s physical resurrection and His personal triumphant return. We believe in the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the dead, and a future state determined by Divine Judgment. We believe the Bible to be the divine revelation of God to mankind.

First Mennonite Church is a member of the Lancaster Mennonite Conference.  Lancaster Mennonite Conference is a 300-year old organization of more than 170 congregations with rich diversity, many complexities, and a culture that is ever-changing. This long history has been graced with God’s faithfulness in successes and failures as we attempt to be a faithful community of God’s kingdom. In this respect, we are diverse people of Christ’s peace. The first meetinghouse for Lancaster Mennonites was the 1719 Herr House.

The mission of Lancaster Mennonite Conference is as follows:

• Lancaster Mennonite Conference is committed to the continuing work of Jesus Christ.
• We gather in congregations to worship in Christ's name, to minister the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to one another, and to go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit, to go forth as workers in God's kingdom.
• We partner with a network of organizations to equip people for ministry, to exercise mutual care, and to extend God's salvation, healing, and hope to the world.