In a contemporary society filled with conflict and stress, many persons are drawn to the straightforward lifestyles of the Mennonites and the Amish. Because of the similarities, the 2 groups are sometimes confused or considered the identical group, yet there are some distinct differences that set the 2 apart.
Who Are the Mennonites and Amish?
It’s easy to see why someone could confuse these two groups since each the Mennonites and the Amish have their roots within the Anabaptist tradition. During the Protestant Reformation, the Anabaptists were a radical reform movement who didn’t consider in infant baptism amongst other issues. Menno Simons became a priest in 1524 and sought to reconcile the Roman Catholic Church with the reform movements, but after a violent massacre between Anabaptists and a combined Catholic-Protestant Army, Simons converted. He consolidated and institutionalized the Anabaptist beliefs, especially the tradition of pacifism.
Persecution scattered groups of Anabaptists all around the world, including the United States. In 1693-97, Jakob Amann left the movement to form the Amish church to preserve biblical discipline that he saw as lacking inside the Anabaptist tradition. Amann and his followers formed semi-closed rural communities with easy agrarian economics that became often called the Amish.
In 1663, many Mennonites emigrated to North America, living in farming communities that were insulated to preserve their German language and maintain their pacifist tradition. While the Amish were centered on being separate from the world, the Mennonites developed a way of interacting with the world while maintaining their beliefs and culture.
What Are the Key Beliefs of the Mennonites?
The Mennonite Church USA lists 4 fundamental statements of their confession of religion:
- Follow Jesus in each day life
- Follow Jesus as Lord above nationalism, racism, or materialism
- Follow Jesus as a peacemaker
- Live simply in service to others and a witness of God’s love
The church’s focus is faith in Jesus Christ, with an emphasis on community and reconciliation. Over the years, the have to be separated from the world and follow a distinction in dress has been replaced by a desire to make a difference on the planet while maintaining their beliefs in peace and repair. Most Mennonites dress like other conservative Christians; nonetheless, some groups still have rules on dress.
The Mennonites are also strong believers in higher education. Some groups use technology. Groups differ, so some may not have televisions of their house or attend movies. Overall, using technology depends upon the person group/church. They also may abstain from alcohol, gambling, and smoking. Each group follows their very own conscience in these areas.
What Are the Key Beliefs of the Amish?
According to Britannica, the Amish beliefs are centered around family, community, humility, and separation from the world. Their customs are governed by the Ordnung, their unwritten code of behavior, which incorporates shunning as a way of church discipline.Â
Amish beliefs regarding technology and education could be summed up as follows:
- No telephones, but will use a communal one for emergencies
- No automobiles (bicycle or buggy) but will accept rides for certain occasions and emergencies
- Avoid electricity as a chief connection to the world
- Refuse newest farming equipment (unless run by alternative power source)
- Think photographs of themselves is a violation of graven images
- No musical instruments (some play in private but never in public)
- Singing is in unison only
- School only goes through 8th grade
There is a few variation, depending on the person churches, but these are generally accepted beliefs.
How Do Mennonite and Amish Lifestyles Differ?
The Mennonite lifestyle still emphasizes simplicity and faith, but their outward appearance is hardly distinguishable from every other conservative church. They use technology, but some avoid television and flicks due to their content. They maintain their beliefs while still being a component of the communities wherein they live. Mennonites hold their allegiance to God above nationalism, but voting has turn out to be more widespread because national policies impact the vulnerable in society.
The Amish still live in a semi-closed community that resembles the life-style of their forefathers. They wear plain clothes, drive horse-drawn buggies, and use horse-drawn implements for farming. There could also be some differences from community to community regarding farm equipment, but modern equipment must use alternative energy sources. Education is restricted to the fundamentals with virtually no reference to electricity or technology. The Amish will not be involved in politics, the military, social security, or insurance. They consider in taking good care of the people of their community without help from the surface world.
How Do Worship Practices Differ Between the Mennonites and Amish?
The basic religious doctrines are the identical:
- Holy Communion is widely known twice a 12 months
- Foot washing is practiced by each groups
- Adult baptism as admission to church
Worship services, then again, are different. The Mennonite church service looks very similar to average churches with praise and worship music in a church constructing. Mennonites are known for his or her four-part harmony and acapella singing, but musical instruments have turn out to be more common. They have Sunday school classes. Worship services are much like Protestant churches, but personal testimonies are sometimes a part of their services.
The Amish hold services in family homes on a rotating basis, using a big wagon to maneuver benches for service and dishes for the meal following the service. The service is in High German with singing in unison. The sermon is followed by a community meal.Â
Overall, the Mennonites and Amish still hold the identical basic beliefs, but they differ in how they live them out in each day life. The Amish still hold to the separation from the world and hold to a strict and disciplined lifestyle. They are on the planet, but not a part of the world. The Mennonites try to affect the world around them for Christ through love and repair. They are more concerned with the spiritual than the outward appearance. Still, they’re conservative in dress and behavior in comparison with the remaining of recent culture.
What Can We Learn from the Mennonites and the Amish?
Many Christians are in search of a less complicated, more meaningful life. The Mennonites and Amish each are examples of easy methods to live on the planet but not be of the world.Â
The Amish are particularly strong in the neighborhood aspect. They handle their people, ensuring everyone has what they need from barn raisings to quilting bees. They share out of their abundance with those in need.Â
The Mennonites are great examples of serving Christ by serving the communities around them. They also work to support the vulnerable through mission work while maintaining a conservative example to society.
We all could learn to simplify our lives somewhat and to achieve out to the community around us. In a society that promotes the person, allow us to follow the instance of Christ and show our love through missions and outreach to those in our communities. Sometimes God just calls us to walk across the road to assist our neighbor, perhaps just be a listening ear to someone who’s hurting. We may also be energetic in helping support the vulnerable in our community through food banks, shelters, and healthcare clinics.
We are called to be on the planet but not of the world, but we’re also called to be a lightweight within the darkness and His witnesses wherever we’re planted, irrespective of what church we attend.
Further Reading
10 Things Everyone Should Know about Mennonites and Their Beliefs
10 Things to Know about Mennonite Women
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Thinkstock/Elysiumm
Linda Lyle is a author, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, in addition to multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is ready to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.Â
