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The International Sovereign Church (ISC), a worldwide ministry of Anabaptist churches, of the Amish Mennonite faith shares God’s love and compassion for all in the name of Christ by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice. ISC envisions communities worldwide in right relationship with God, one another and creation.
Christ-centered faith
We seek to follow Jesus who through grace reconciles us to God and calls us to the ministry of reconciliation. We celebrate God’s work among us, confessing our sins and patterning our lives after the example of Jesus.
Mutual relationships
We are committed to creating mutually transforming relationships that are open and respectful, in diverse communities and among our partners. We seek to model trust and accountability in these relationships through consensus-driven decision-making processes.
Genuine diversity
We are committed to being inclusive of all persons regardless of culture, race, class, gender and age. We seek to dismantle racism and oppression, and to encourage the work of liberation in marginalized communities and provoke change in privileged communities. We value the theological differences among us, and desire to promote understanding and respect.
Active peace building
We value the biblical concept of shalom modeled by Christ, and are committed to allow this value to change us as we intentionally pursue peace, justice and reconciliation with one another and all creation.
Just communities
We desire to bring people of all nations, tribes and languages together to promote dignity and mutual understanding through dialogue, trust-building, listening and learning. Our goal is Christ-centered communities that speak prophetically, resist conformity and model the coming kingdom of God.
Dynamic service
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we seek to listen to and learn from each other, including people who are marginalized by the unjust systems of our society, and to serve in ways that build on the strengths of each community.
Responsible stewardship
We seek to share God’s resources and gifts in a just and accountable manner, and to care for the earth, its people and resources.
Flexible structure
We value an organizational structure that enables flexible and creative responses to emerging needs and includes people who have been marginalized by age, gender, race, ethnicity and social status in decision-making processes.
Priorities
ISC’s priorities in carrying out its purpose are sustainable community development , disaster relief, and peace building.
Approaches
ISC approaches its mission by addressing poverty, oppression and injustice – and their systemic causes; accompanying partners and the church in a process of mutual transformation, accountability and capacity building; building bridges to connect people and ideas across cultural, political and economic divides; and caring for creation.
Values
ISC values peace and justice. ISC seeks to live and serve nonviolently in response to the biblical call to peace and justice.
ISC values just relationships. ISC seeks to live and serve justly and peacefully in each relationship, incorporating listening and learning, accountability and mutuality, transparency and integrity.
Convictions
ISC is part of the larger mission of the church and embraces the “Shared Convictions” of global Anabaptists,* inspired by Anabaptists of the 16th century who modeled radical discipleship to Jesus Christ.
*As adopted by Mennonite World Conference General Council, March 2006.
Shared Convictions, Mennonite World Conference:
By the grace of God, we seek to live and proclaim the good news of reconciliation in Jesus Christ. As part of the one body of Christ at all times and places, we hold the following to be central to our belief and practice:
1. God is known to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Creator who seeks to restore fallen humanity by calling a people to be faithful in fellowship, worship, service and witness.
2. Jesus is the Son of God. Through his life and teachings, his cross and resurrection, he showed us how to be faithful disciples, redeemed the world, and offers eternal life.
3. As a church, we are a community of those whom God´s Spirit calls to turn from sin, acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, receive baptism upon confession of faith, and follow Christ in life.
4. As a faith community, we accept the Bible as our authority for faith and life, interpreting it together under Holy Spirit guidance, in the light of Jesus Christ to discern God´s will for our obedience.
5. The Spirit of Jesus empowers us to trust God in all areas of life so we become peacemakers who renounce violence, love our enemies, seek justice, and share our possessions with those in need.
6. We gather regularly to worship, to celebrate the Lord´s Supper, and to hear the Word of God in a spirit of mutual accountability.
7. As a world‐wide community of faith and life we transcend boundaries of nationality, race, class, gender and language. We seek to live in the world without conforming to the powers of evil, witnessing to God´s grace by serving others, caring for creation, and inviting all people to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
In these convictions we draw inspiration from Anabaptist forebears of the 16th century, who modeled radical discipleship to Jesus Christ. We seek to walk in his name by the power of the Holy Spirit, as we confidently await Christ´s return and the final fulfillment of God´s kingdom.
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