Franklin Mennonite Conference (Mennonite Church USA)
On 13 August 1965 the Washington-Franklin Mennonite Conference (Mennonite Church) divided into two separate organizations. Senior Bishop Moses K. Horst stated in a regular conference meeting that Franklin County bishops and supporting ministers were no longer members of conference. It was known that Franklin County ministers were encouraging Washington County members in their efforts to start mission churches in surrounding areas. Two hundred adult members of Washington County congregations appealed to conference for change in methods for outreach and growth in mission work. When agreement could not be reached by the two bishop districts, appeals were made to Lancaster and Virginia conferences (MC).
An attempt by a tri-conference committee to work out solutions was unsuccessful. The Maryland bishops retained the name Washington-Franklin County Mennonite Conference, while the Pennsylvania bishops later chose to name their group Franklin Mennonite Conference. All agreed to disagree peaceably but pulpits are no longer exchanged.
A monthly conference newspaper (Burning Bush, June 1965) was started as a vehicle toward unity among congregations. Sixteen congregations receive the newspaper and report regularly in it. Both conferences have since then added other mission congregations to their membership.
In 2002 the Franklin Mennonite Conference became part of Mennonite Church USA, following the merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church.
Bibliography
Horsch, James E., ed. Mennonite Yearbook and Directory. Scottdale, PA: Mennonite Publishing House,1988-89: 56-57.
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, p. 310. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.
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MLA style: Risser, Barbara. "Franklin Mennonite Conference (Mennonite Church USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1988. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 20 July 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/F67514.html>
APA style: Risser, Barbara. (1988). "Franklin Mennonite Conference (Mennonite Church USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 20 July 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/F67514.html>
