History

history

History and Structure

CMCL is a young congregation whose founding group came out of the Akron Mennonite Church (Akron, PA). This group first met to worship in January, 1985, at the Lancaster Opera Workshop. In January, 1986, fifty-nine charter members from Lancaster city and vicinity signed the first church covenant. In 1987, the congregation moved into its present location at 328 West Orange Street, a church building slated for demolition that had served for twenty-five years as the Theobald School of Ballet. Worship attendance presently numbers around 250.

CMCL is a mixture of people of Mennonite and non-Mennonite background who bring their various traditions together for varied experiences. The group enjoys diversity in music, sermons, and other worship activities. The congregation has adopted a structure which supports open interaction on church issues. Through humor and the awareness of God's Spirit, members challenge and support each other.

Structure

Sunday Worship and Education: Nursery and preschool care is provided for both the worship service and education hour. The childrens' education department serves a growing population with around 80 children under the age of thirteen.
Congregational Meetings: The congregation meets quarterly to discuss topics ranging from church business to theology. In decision-making, working toward concensus produces results that everyone can live with.
House Churches: Over twenty groups of about eight to ten people meet weekly or bi-weekly for fellowship, projects, worship, study, and discussion of issues in church life.
Church Council and Pastoral Team: The Church council is a group of representatives from the house churches. The council provides leadership for the congregation, in conversation with the pastoral team. The pastoral team is composed of the pastor and three elders.
Committees: The daily function of the church is carried out by the following committees: Christian Education, Finance and Facility, Hospitality, House Church, Justice and Spirituality (JAS), Music, and Worship. Committee chairs meet monthly as a program commission.