94-663: Dunkard may refer to: Dunkards, colloquial name for the Schwarzenau Brethren , a German Anabaptist group founded 1708 Dunkard Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania , administrative territorial subdivision in the United States Dunkard Creek , stream in Greene County, Pennsylvania and Monongalia County, West Virginia See also [ edit ] Dunkard's Bottom (disambiguation) Dunkard Brethren Church ,
188-487: A white kapp —a prayer covering . Today, Brethren garb is still worn in the most conservative congregations, although some men dress in a simple style by wearing a collared shirt in a single color without a tie, while women in these congregations may continue to practice the use of a prayer covering. The traditional Brethren plain dress is very similar to the clothing of the present-day Amish . The Dunkard Brethren Church , formed in 1926 by conservative members of Church of
282-535: A Brethren teaching since their founding reinforced his calls to relax church discipline. These changes led to an exodus of many conservative Brethren in the 1920s, who organized the Dunkard Brethren Church , which continues to uphold the Brethren practices of plain dress and headcovering . During the 1940s and 1950s, acts of global Christian service flourished and energized the denomination. Service work
376-633: A Calvinistic firm affirmation of eternal security became the National Fellowship of Brethren Churches, since renamed Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC). It is commonly called the Grace Brethren Church, and is headquartered in Winona Lake, Indiana . In 1992, because of doctrinal disagreements within the FGBC (primarily related to the connection between water baptism and church membership),
470-573: A church and baptized one another in Schwarzenau, Germany, now part of Bad Berleburg in North Rhine-Westphalia . Five men and three women gathered at the Eder (pronounced ey-duhr), a small river that flows through Schwarzenau, to perform baptism as an outward symbol of their new faith. One of the members of the group first baptized Mack, who then, in turn, baptized the other seven. They believed that
564-569: A denomination of the Schwarzenau Brethren tradition organized in 1926 Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Dunkard . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dunkard&oldid=1181547242 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
658-451: A mechanism for unifying the interpretation and application of Biblical teachings. There are several religious groups named Brethren that are not related to the Schwarzenau Brethren movement. The Moravian Brethren, Hutterian Brethren and Swiss Brethren are not related to the Schwarzenau Brethren, except as inspirational examples. The Plymouth Brethren arose in England and Ireland early in
752-659: A mill and started a textile-manufacturing workshop in an effort to make the community economically self-sufficient. The Eckerlins and Mack left Ephrata in September to establish Mahanaim ( Dunkard's Bottom, Virginia ) on the New River in western Virginia. In 1814 the Society was incorporated as the Seventh Day Baptists or Seventh Day German Baptist Church. Several branches were established, some of which still exist. A group called
846-747: A printer by trade, printed a Bible in German, the first published in a European language in North America. Many members of the Schwarzenau Brethren came from the Southwest of Germany, the same region where the Pennsylvania German dialect originated. Because they settled in Pennsylvania among other Germans, who mainly came from the Palatinate and adjacent regions, they took part in the dialect leveling , that
940-521: A steady decline in membership since the middle of the 20th century. Despite the overall decline, growth has occurred in some areas through church planting, evangelism, and outreach. It has also spread into other countries including the Dominican Republic (where it is called " Iglesia de los Hermanos "), Haiti (as " Eglise des Frères Haitiens "), Brazil, and Spain. In Nigeria , the Church of
1034-492: A system of alternative service, which would allow conscientious objectors to serve their nation and humanity through nonviolent service. Civilian Public Service was a result of the three historic peace churches collaborating with the U.S. government. While the government provided tools and materials and their work was managed by agencies such as the Soil Conservation or Forest Service, "the historic peace churches funded all
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#17330861359821128-511: A variant of universal salvation that foretold that after the judgment and harsh punishment described in the New Testament, God's love would one day restore all souls to God. Brethren typically kept this teaching to themselves, and it was largely abandoned by the late nineteenth century. They were among the first to take Christian universalism to America when they emigrated there. The church leaders are ministers, teachers, and deacons, though
1222-544: A vegetarian diet, and recognition of Saturday as the Sabbath. After the Beissel split, the Brethren split several times because of doctrinal differences. The most traditionalist members emphasized consistency, obedience, and the order of the Brethren. They opposed the use of musical instruments, Sunday schools , revival meetings, and worldly amusements. They promoted plain dress, plain living, and church discipline. The progressives in
1316-644: Is a group within the Latter Day Saint movement and is not related to the Schwarzenau Brethren. Schwarzenau Brethren (German Baptists), an Anabaptist tradition, are not to be confused with non-Anabaptist groups such as Primitive , Separate , Southern , Particular , who are categorized as Baptists . Although both Anabaptists and Baptists agree on rudimentary doctrines such as believer's baptism and separation of church and state, they would have conflicting views in other areas, such as non-resistance , separation from worldly entertainment, literal interpretation of
1410-669: Is able to understand and accept the message of the gospel, typically at about age 13. In the early years of the denomination, the age at baptism was generally older. The mode of baptism is trine (three times) immersion in a forward direction in the Name of the Father, and in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit. This is followed by laying on of hands for the impartation of the Holy Spirit . In
1504-405: Is because two of the Brethren's fundamental beliefs are nonviolent resolution of conflict and nonresistance to evil, which they combine with antiwar and peace efforts around the world. The church's commitment to love the enemy and use nonviolence is summarized in its phrase, "all war is sin" (Annual Conference, 1935), and the fact that many Brethren have refused to engage in military service. During
1598-545: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Schwarzenau Brethren Defunct groups The Schwarzenau Brethren , the German Baptist Brethren , Dunkers , Dunkard Brethren , Tunkers , or sometimes simply called the German Baptists , are an Anabaptist group that dissented from Roman Catholic , Lutheran and Reformed European state churches during
1692-414: Is heard within their doors. The law of kindness is in their mouths; no sourness or moroseness, disgraces their religion; and whatsoever they believe their Savior commands, they practice without requiring or regarding what others do. The beliefs of the Schwarzenau Brethren include triple or trine immersion baptism , which provides that the candidate kneel in water and be immersed, face first, three times in
1786-473: Is now Lancaster County, Pennsylvania . While celibate, the community also welcomed believing families; they lived nearby and participated in joint worship. The monastic features and celibacy were gradually abandoned after the American Revolution. In 1745, brothers Samuel, Israel and Gabriel Eckerlin protested against Beissel's leadership after Beissel condemned them for having planted an orchard, built
1880-519: Is placed on exegesis of the Bible. Several of the groups maintain a larger "Doctrinal Statement" or treatise, but only for the purpose of clarifying their Biblical position. Most Brethren groups maintain that the Bible is the sole authority and will revise their statement of faith if they perceive any difference between it and sound Biblical doctrine. Some of the Old Order groups incorporate church authority as
1974-422: Is prayed for and expected. Healing is explicitly stated to include emotional and spiritual healing, as well as physical healing. Anointing and laying on of hands have also been used for other purposes, such as consecrating someone for missions or other special service. The Brethren believe that believer's baptism is an outward sign of an inward experience of salvation. Hence, baptism is not performed until one
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#17330861359822068-518: Is still somewhat limited, with the laity still taking a very active role in ministerial work. Brethren have been urged (and in earlier times compelled) to live a relatively simple lifestyle. At various points in their history, Brethren have been prohibited or discouraged from attending fairs and carnivals, swearing oaths, driving motorized vehicles, attending secular colleges, joining secret societies , filing lawsuits, gambling, and using tobacco or alcoholic beverages. Simplicity, or nonconformity as it
2162-597: The American Revolution and the American Civil War , Brethren required their members to abstain from military service, believing that obedience to Christ precluded such involvements. Until the early 20th century, Brethren baptismal applicants were required to promise that they would uphold the church's teaching about "being defenseless". During the Second World War, Brethren worked with the government to create
2256-467: The American Revolution , as different groups sought their own ways. The first separatists became the Seventh Day Dunkers, whose distinctive principle was that they believed that Saturday was true Sabbath . They were founded by German immigrant Johann Conrad Beissel (1690–1768). In 1732, Beissel led establishment of a semi-monastic community with a convent and a monastery at Ephrata in what
2350-603: The Brethren Church . The remaining middle group—called "conservatives"—retained the name German Baptist Brethren. At the Annual Conference of 1908 at Des Moines, Iowa , the name was officially changed to the Church of the Brethren. The Annual Conference justified the name change by citing the predominant use of English in the church, the fact that the name "German Baptist" frustrated mission work, and that it would disassociate
2444-549: The Church of God or "New Dunkers" withdrew in 1848. They disbanded in August 1962. The Old Order Schwarzenau Brethren opposed 19th-century Brethren adoption of innovations in the United States such as revival meetings, Sunday Schools, and foreign missionary work. Stressing church discipline, Annual Meeting authority, and the preservation of the "ancient order" of church ordinances, worship, and simple unfashionable dress, they formed
2538-482: The Conservative Grace Brethren Churches, International (CGBCI) was formed. It has no centralized headquarters at this time. The paradigmatic conservative Schwarzenau Brethren denomination remains the Dunkard Brethren Church , in that they have preserved the distinctives of plain dress and headcovering while widely using modern conveniences. The Dunkard Brethren Church withdrew from the Church of
2632-484: The Dunkard Brethren Church and the Old Brethren Church ) who preserve traditional theological distinctives while allowing for the usage of modern conveniences, and mainline groups (such as the Church of the Brethren and the Brethren Church ) who are assimilated into popular culture and society. In German-speaking Europe , the Brethren became known as Neue Täufer ( New Baptists ) , in distinction from
2726-614: The Mennonites and Quakers . Distinctive practices include believer's baptism by forward trine immersion; a threefold love feast consisting of feet washing , a fellowship meal, and communion ; anointing for healing; and the holy kiss . Its headquarters are in Elgin, Illinois , United States . The first Brethren congregation was established in the United States in 1723. These church bodies became commonly known as "Dunkards" or "Dunkers", and more formally as German Baptist Brethren. The Church of
2820-583: The Old German Baptist Brethren (OGBB) in 1881. In 1882 the Progressives, who stressed outreach evangelism and objected to plain, distinctive dress and strong Annual Meeting authority, formed The Brethren Church , at the time of H. R. Holsinger. The largest body continued as German Baptist Brethren until 1908, when they adopted the title Church of the Brethren . Both the Brethren Church and
2914-678: The Roman Catholic , Lutheran and Reformed churches were taking extreme liberties with the true, pure message of Christianity as revealed in the New Testament. As they began to have the New Testament available in German and read it for themselves, they rejected the established state church liturgies and sacraments, including infant baptism and Eucharistic practices in favor of following plain New Testament practices. The founding Brethren were broadly influenced by Radical Pietism understandings of an invisible church of awakened Christians who would fellowship together in purity and love, reaching out to
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3008-599: The Schwarzenau Brethren tradition (German: Schwarzenauer Neutäufer "Schwarzenau New Baptists") that was organized in 1708 by Alexander Mack in Schwarzenau , Germany during the Radical Pietist revival. The denomination holds the New Testament as its only creed . Historically, the church has taken a strong stance for nonresistance or Christian pacifism —it is one of the three historic peace churches , alongside
3102-841: The United Andean Indian Mission , to form the United Evangelical Church, now United Evangelical Methodist Church of Ecuador. In a similar way, in 1970, the mission in India merged with the Anglicans, Baptists, Disciples of Christ and Presbyterians to form the Church of North India , though some congregations have seceded since the merger. As of 2019 it was reported on the church's yearbook that US membership had dropped below 100,000 and as of 2020 membership dropped around 91,000. As of year 2021 down trend continued to around 87,000 members. The Brethren have "no creed ", but embrace
3196-508: The "primitive" apostolic faith. On both occasions, a more moderate petition was submitted to the delegates. Both times, the Miami Valley group found the rewording unacceptable. In 1881, they resubmitted their petition to Annual Conference, and it was rejected for violating technical procedure. In November 1881, traditionalist Brethren led by the Miami Valley group met and formally split from
3290-521: The 17th and 18th centuries. German Baptist Brethren emerged in some German-speaking states in western and southwestern parts of the Holy Roman Empire as a result of the Radical Pietist revival movement of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, where people began to read and study their Bibles on their own- rather than just being told what to believe and do. Hopeful of the imminent return of Christ and desiring to follow Jesus in their daily life,
3384-664: The 1923 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. Variations on the Card were used by both the Old German Baptist Brethren and the Church of the Brethren. This is an early version that was widely circulated: Be it known unto all men, The 1923 version, influenced by both increasing formalism and by the Fundamentalist-modernist controversy of the 1910s differed in both tone and content: This version
3478-644: The 19th century. The United Brethren originated in 18th-century Pennsylvania with William Otterbein and Martin Boehm. The River Brethren movement adopted the view of trine immersion and most other Anabaptist beliefs and practices from the Schwarzenau Brethren. Today, the Old Order River Brethren are very similar to the Old Brethren —both being part of the Anabaptist tradition. The Apostolic United Brethren
3572-609: The Annual Conference in Ocean Grove, New Jersey , the next year, a group of conservative Brethren responded by forming the Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF). The BRF describes itself as "a loyal concern movement within the Church of the Brethren." The BRF advocates simple dress, Biblical inerrancy , church discipline, and an evangelical understanding of faith. It has been critical of the denomination's involvement in political and social causes, as well as its association with
3666-506: The Annual Conference voted to reject the ordination of openly gay and lesbian pastors. Since then, however, several congregations within the denomination have publicly announced their support for same-sex marriage and openly LGBT clergy. In 2012, the Church of the Brethren adopted a resolution opposing same-sex marriage, but some congregations protested the resolution and some voted to begin performing same-gender marriages. Some congregations also publicly welcome transgender members. In 2018,
3760-641: The Association of Brethren Churches, since renamed the Covenant Brethren Church (CBC), organized as a movement to explore separation from the Church of the Brethren. The CBC began with a vision cast in July 2019, as Church of the Brethren leaders from thirteen districts gathered in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, to pray, discern, and discuss a new vision for Brethren in the 21st Century. A temporary executive board
3854-647: The Atlantic Northeast District rejected a proposal to terminate the credentials of clergy who perform a same-sex marriage because the vote did not receive the necessary two-thirds majority. The Northern Ohio District did approve a policy to terminate the clergy credentials of those pastors who perform same-sex marriage. Virginia's Shenandoah District has similarly withdrawn ordination from ministers who would perform same-sex marriages. Official church statements oppose abortion while committing to "develop constructive, creative alternatives". The Brethren avoid
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3948-521: The Bible and their faith. In keeping with egalitarianism and respect for the individual, evangelism in the Church of the Brethren is practiced by personal demonstration of faith via good works in the world community, and by nonconfrontational witnessing. Brethren espouse the basic beliefs of Christianity, such as the divinity of Christ. They emphasize peace , simplicity , the equality of believers, and consistent obedience to Christ, and community discernment of scripture. Community, both within and without
4042-680: The Brethren is literally known as "Church of the Children of the Same Mother" ( Hausa : Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria , or EYN). Mission work began in Nigeria in 1923. The membership of EYN, which must be renewed annually, reached 148,000 members in 2002, surpassing the membership of the US-based church. In 1965, the Brethren missionaries working in Ecuador since 1945, merged the churches they planted with those of
4136-838: The Brethren World Assembly: Church of the Brethren , Conservative Grace Brethren Churches, International , Dunkard Brethren Church , Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches , Old German Baptist Brethren , and The Brethren Church . The first Assembly was held in Pennsylvania in 1992. They met at Elizabethtown College and celebrated the 250th anniversary of the first known Brethren Annual Meeting in 1742. That first meeting gathered near Conestoga in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania . The second Assembly met in 1998 at Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Virginia . The third Assembly
4230-465: The Brethren in 1926 because of what some believed was a gradual drift away from apostolic standards. In 2019, after years of disagreement over New Testament standards of personal morality, some conservative congregations who were leaving the Church of the Brethren chose to form a new denomination called the Covenant Brethren Church. This fellowship has member congregations in Africa and Guatemala as well as
4324-418: The Brethren represents the largest denomination descended from the Schwarzenau Brethren, adopting this name in 1908. In 1926 there was an exodus of some conservative members of the Church of the Brethren, who formed the Dunkard Brethren Church . The history of the Schwarzenau Brethren began in 1708 when a group of eight Christians organized themselves under the leadership of Alexander Mack (1679–1735) into
4418-917: The Brethren seminary in Oak Brook, Illinois. Well-known leaders of the Brethren Service initiatives included Dan West and M.R. (Michael Robert) Zigler . From the end of the Second World War to the present, Brethren have continued to be active in service and missions around the world. Differences have also remained, with Brethren individuals, churches, and districts disagreeing about issues including Biblical authority, ordination of women, homosexuality, climate change, and ecumenism . The 1958 Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, decided that trine immersion would not be required of all members, allowed ordination of women, opened love feast to members of any church, and permitted bread and cup communion outside of love feast. At
4512-598: The Brethren that do not agree with pacifism. This was made particularly evident when, during the Second World War 80% of young Brethren draftees entered active duty in the military. Recent national surveys of the Brethren suggest that only a minority of the current membership views military service as wrong. Brethren follow a nonhierarchical pattern of church life. In the past, most congregations were served by multiple "free" ministers, elected by their own congregations, who supported themselves through other occupations. Today, most congregations have paid pastors, but their function
4606-714: The Brethren to take refuge in Friesland , the Netherlands. In 1719 Peter Becker brought a group to Pennsylvania . In 1720 forty Brethren families settled in Surhuisterveen in Friesland. They settled among the Mennonites and remained there until 1729, when all but a handful emigrated to America, in three separate groups from 1719 to 1733. Peter Becker organized the first American congregation at Germantown, Pennsylvania , on December 25, 1723. In 1743 Christoph Sauer, an early pastor and
4700-405: The Brethren, continues to preserve the traditional Brethren practice of plain dress as do the Old German Baptist Brethren who withdrew during the 1880s. Most Brethren were well-acculturated by the second half of the 20th century. Today, many members of the church take simplicity to mean living a more ecologically friendly lifestyle by consuming less and being aware of the effect of their choices on
4794-475: The Brethren, meanwhile, has been moving forward with a "Compelling Vision Statement" process designed to create a direction for the denomination that will aid in unifying it and moving it forward. In 2024, the worldwide Church of the Brethren organized along national lines to form the Global Church of the Brethren Communion with founding members Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, India, Nigeria, Rwanda, Spain, Uganda,
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#17330861359824888-434: The Christian salutation, do not oppose war, and do not formally adhere to plain dress or modesty. Only the Conservative Grace Brethren Churches have retained a published use of the motto, "The Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible". In the progressive and liberal Church of the Brethren, significant emphasis is placed on social action issues. In the Brethren (Ashland) and Grace Brethren groups, significant emphasis
4982-438: The Church of the Brethren to form the Old German Baptist Brethren . They held their first annual meeting in 1882. At the same time, Henry Holsinger , a leader of the progressives in the church, published writings that some Brethren considered slanderous and schismatic . As a result, he was disfellowshipped from the 1882 annual meeting of the Brethren. He met with other progressives on June 6 and 7, 1883, and together they formed
5076-435: The Church of the Brethren would be considered as mainline Schwarzaneu Brethren fellowships today. The Dunkard Brethren Church , a conservative Schwarzenau Brethren denomination, maintains traditional theological beliefs and practices (such as plain dress and headcovering), while widely using modern conveniences. It was formed when conservative Schwarzenau Brethren withdrew from the Church of the Brethren in 1926 and established
5170-473: The Dunkard Brethren Church. As such, the Dunkard Brethren Church would fall in between Old Order Brethren (such as the Old Brethren German Baptist ) and mainline Brethren denominations (such as The Brethren Church ). In 1913 and 1915 the Old Brethren , centered in Salida, California , Dayton, Ohio and Camden, Indiana , withdrew from the Old German Baptist Brethren (OGBB). In 1921, the Old Order German Baptist Brethren , centered in Dayton, Ohio broke with
5264-518: The English Baptist groups with whom they had no formal ties. In the United States , they became popularly known as "Dunkers", "Dunkard Brethren", or "Tunkers", terms that stem from the German verb tunken ( Pennsylvania German : dunke ), ' to dip, to immerse ' . The Schwarzenau Brethren were first organized in 1708 under the leadership of Alexander Mack (1679–1735) in the Schwarzenau , Wittgenstein community of modern-day Bad Berleburg , North Rhine-Westphalia , Germany . They believed that
5358-413: The OGBB. Attempts in 1929–1930 to reunite the Old Brethren and OGBB were unsuccessful. The Old Brethren subsequently divided into two groups, the Old Order of which took the name of Old Brethren German Baptists and was centered in Camden, Indiana and Missouri. After 1996, a small conservative group calling themselves The German Baptist Brethren split from the OGBB. The most recent split came in 2009, with
5452-553: The Scripture as their only guide, in matters both of faith and practice...such Christians I have never seen as they are: so averse are they to all sin, and to many things that other Christians esteem lawful, that they not only refuse to swear, go to war, etc. but are so afraid of doing any thing contrary to the commands of Christ, that no temptation would prevail upon them ever to sue any person at law, for either name, character, estate, or any debt, be it ever so just. They are industrious, sober, temperate, kind, charitable people; envying not
5546-402: The Sermon on the Mount, etc. In addition, Schwarzenau Brethren are not to be confused with a recent, small, renewal movement of "Plain," or "Covered" Baptists, who share many comparable beliefs and practices with the historic German Baptists, but are of different origins. Church of the Brethren Defunct groups The Church of the Brethren is an Anabaptist Christian denomination in
5640-482: The US states of Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. Unlike the Dunkard Brethren Church that formed in 1926, the Covenant Brethren Church encourages but does not universally practice traditional Brethren distinctives such as the veiling or nonresistance (nonparticipation in the military). Other associated churches which associate with the term German Baptist include: As of 2003, six Brethren bodies meet together in
5734-562: The United States entered the war to address the issue of conscientious objectors. In July of that year, leaders of the conference were threatened with punishment by the US government under the Sedition Act. The church leaders agreed not to retract the statement, but to withdraw it from circulation. Discipline for violating church teachings during the church's first two hundred years ranged from setting members "back" from communion to disfellowshipping them as members to, in rare cases, "avoidance" (or shunning ). These practices gradually subsided as
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#17330861359825828-435: The United States, and Venezuela. In 2023, all six Puerto Rican churches in the Church of the Brethren joined the Covenant Brethren Church . This was affirmed in 2024. According to a denomination census released in 2020, it has 11 member denominations in 11 countries, approximately 2,600 churches and 600,000 baptized members. The Church of the Brethren in the United States—like many other mainline churches—has experienced
5922-417: The Word, baptize, assist deacons in anointing, solemnize marriages, and officiate at communion. Deacons serve the church by reading Scripture, leading in song and prayer, arranging for visitation to members or their families during illness or crisis, and often function in the capacity of stewards. The first schism from the general body of German Baptist Brethren occurred in 1728. There were more divisions after
6016-498: The World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches. Progressive-leaning groups have also grown. Groups including the Womaen's Caucus, Voices for an Open Spirit, Open Table Cooperative, and Brethren-Mennonite Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests advocate changes to church doctrine and practice. Proposed changes have include giving the denomination a gender-neutral name, allowing LGBT Brethren to be ordained as ministers and get married, and increasing
6110-473: The binding standard for congregational practices. Founding and early Schwarzenau Brethren were also in fellowship with other Anabaptists such as the Mennonites and the River Brethren , and influenced by their writings. As with many other Anabaptist traditions, the Schwarzenau Brethren are divided into Old Order groups (such as the Old Brethren German Baptist ) who practice a lifestyle without certain elements of modern technology, Conservative groups (such as
6204-485: The church as a disciplined faith community that enforced Christian standards of discipleship upon those who chose to join their fellowship. The eight founding members referred to themselves as "brethren," and New Baptists (German: Neue Täufer ). The name alluded to the use of the name Täufer (Baptists) by the Mennonites. They suffered persecution for their stand, much as the earlier Anabaptists had. The Brethren soon moved to seek religious freedom in America. They founded
6298-402: The church focused on grace and acceptance. They promoted higher education, salaried ministers, Sunday schools, and revivalism . The majority of Brethren held a position between the two extremes. In 1869 and 1880, a group of Brethren in the Miami Valley of Ohio submitted a petition to Annual Conference to stop liberalization and return to traditional Brethren practices, which they identified with
6392-445: The church, is promoted, and Brethren often describe themselves in terms of what they do, rather than what they believe, which is consistent with their notion of a lived faith. Brethren also affirm that "faith without works is dead", and are heavily involved in disaster relief and other charitable works. The Church of the Brethren is one of the historic peace churches , which includes Quakers, Amish, Apostolic and Mennonite churches. This
6486-467: The correct interpretation of New Testament passages or general congregation issues, local congregations go to their regional district conference for resolution. If necessary, the final authority for settling such disputes is the Annual Conference. The minutes of Annual Conference give a clear picture of what matters have been in dispute and how Brethren interpret the New Testament. However, some congregations accept or even encourage individual interpretation of
6580-436: The cost. They rejected established state churches, including infant baptism, existing Eucharistic practices, and the use of physical coercion against other humans. The founding Brethren were initially influenced by Radical Pietist understandings of an invisible, nondenominational church of awakened Christians who would fellowship together in purity and love, awaiting Christ's return; yet they embraced an Anabaptist understanding of
6674-440: The denomination from the Old German Baptist Brethren . During the early 20th century, the Church of the Brethren invested heavily in foreign missions in India, China, and other nations. They also embraced the American temperance movement . The denomination's two-hundred year old peace position was tested when delegates at the Goshen Conference in Goshen, Indiana, adopted the 1918 Statement on War and Violence nine months after
6768-476: The earlier emphasis upon unity of practice (the "order of the Brethren") gave way during the 1920s and 1930s to an emphasis upon individual moral autonomy. Martin Grove Brumbaugh —a Brethren minister and historian who became governor of Pennsylvania in 1915—played a leading role in disseminating a more progressive vision of Brethren history and practice. His questionable claim that "no force in religion" had been
6862-532: The early 20th century, Brethren were colloquially called Tunkers or Dunkers (from the German for immersionists). In 1728, Conrad Beissel , a Brethren minister at Conestoga (Lancaster County, Pa.) renounced his association with the Brethren and formed his own group in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. They came to be known as the Ephrata Cloister . Beissel practiced a mystical form of Christianity. He encouraged celibacy,
6956-493: The earth and other people (see simple living ). In many respects, twenty-first century Brethren lifestyles mirror the lifestyles of their non-Brethren neighbors. Like many mainline denominations, the Church of the Brethren has been debating issues related to human sexuality. In 2002, the Michigan District licensed and ordained an openly gay pastor, making it the first district to do so in the denomination. However, in 2003,
7050-559: The entire New Testament as their "rule of faith and practice". If a single part of the New Testament is most pointed to as a guide for members' lives, it is the Sermon on the Mount . The early Brethren were very meticulous in applying the New Testament to every situation. For example, they baptize in a forward direction because "we are baptized into his death", and at the moment of his death, Jesus' head fell forward. When disagreements arise regarding
7144-563: The established European churches – Catholic, Lutheran, and Reformed – were missing the point of true Christianity as taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, and as revealed in the New Testament and exemplified by the Early Church. After searching for a church that taught New Testament discipleship and finding none in their area, they committed to follow the commands and example of Jesus in their daily lives regardless of
7238-501: The establishment of the Old German Baptist Brethren, New Conference , parishioners who left the OGBB. In 1939 the "Progressive" Brethren Church experienced another schism. Those seeking an open position to the issue of eternal security maintained the name Brethren Church , with headquarters in Ashland, Ohio (the traditional Anabaptist doctrine has been conditional security ). Those supporting
7332-410: The expenses for the men, including food, administrative costs, and a tiny monthly stipend of $ 2.50" (equivalent to $ 52 in 2023). Alternative service has evolved into Brethren Volunteer Service, a church agency that places many young people and some older persons in volunteer human-service jobs, usually for a one-year term. Despite the church's official stance, there are many members of the Church of
7426-512: The first American congregation on Christmas Day 1723 in Germantown, Pennsylvania , then a village outside Philadelphia . They became known as German Baptist Brethren (although this name was not officially recognized until 1836, when the Annual Meeting called itself "The Fraternity of German Baptist Brethren"). In 1871, the denomination adopted the name, "The German Baptist Brethren Church." Until
7520-399: The founding Brethren abandoned State churches and officially formed a new church in 1708. They thereby attempted to translate the New Testament idea of brotherly love into concrete congregational ordinances for all the members. The Brethren rejected some Radical Pietists’ focus on emotionalism and direct revelation, and emphasized early ("Apostolic" or "primitive") New Testament Christianity as
7614-449: The great, nor despising the mean, they read much, they sing and pray much, they are constant attendants upon the worship of God, their dwelling houses are all houses of prayer. They walk in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless both in public and private. They bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. No noise of rudeness, shameless mirth, loud vain laughter
7708-539: The lost and hurting in Jesus' name and working together as equal brethren while awaiting Christ's return. A notable influence was Ernst Christopher Hochmann von Hochenau, a traveling Pietist minister. While living in Schriesheim , his home town, Mack invited Hochmann to come and minister there. Like others who influenced the Brethren, Hochmann considered the pure church to be spiritual, and did not believe that an organized church
7802-457: The name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit ; the New Testament as the infallible guide in spiritual matters; communion service celebrated in the evening, accompanied by the love feast ; the ceremony of the washing of feet ; the salutation of the holy kiss ; prayer and anointing with oil over the sick; and nonresistance . See also The Brethren Card . Some of the early Schwarzenau Brethren believed in universal restoration ,
7896-405: The name of these servant positions may differ slightly in the various branches. The official role of elder, while no longer recognized in many congregations, was formerly the most respected position in the church and performed the overseeing function that other churches may call Bishop. Ministers and deacons are elected by the members of the congregation in which they hold membership. Ministers preach
7990-455: The political and social mission of the church. Although a divide exists within the church on these issues, the official position of the church is that the Bible is the Word of God, and that covenant relationships between homosexuals are unacceptable. However, the church also affirms " unity in diversity ", which generally allows for church districts and congregations to set doctrine. In July 2019,
8084-636: The sanctity of marriage as expressed in Genesis 2 and affirmed by Jesus Christ in Matthew 19, the sanctity of human life from conception, and the historical New Testament ideals and practices held by the Brethren since 1708. The Church of the Brethren Leadership Team responded to these developments with a statement expressing concerns with the CBC's direction and said division was "not a path forward." The Church of
8178-433: The use of the term "sacraments", preferring the term "ordinances". This refers to the symbolic actions ordered by Jesus Christ and practiced by the early church. The Brethren ordinances are: The person seeking anointing is administered a small amount of oil on his or her forehead. This is followed by the laying on of hands and a prayer for wholeness. This is not to be confused with extreme unction ( last rites ), since healing
8272-514: Was called until the early 20th century, was once very noticeable in Brethren dress and grooming. Men wore black coats with no collar, and hooks instead of buttons (often referred to as Brethren garb or dressing "in the order"). They would wear beards, but no mustaches. The mustache was seen as a sign of the saloon or the military. Also, the beards were cut in a manner to avoid interference with the kiss of peace . In addition, they wore broad-brimmed black hats. Women wore long dresses in dark colors, and
8366-778: Was called, and sub-teams were tasked with working at various aspects of the vision. Subsequent, steadily growing gatherings of Brethren from across the United States met in Winchester and Woodstock, Virginia and widely affirmed these developments. On November 16, 2019, at the Antioch Church in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the assembled group was first called The Covenant Brethren Church, and moved toward establishing an office in north-central West Virginia. A Statement of Faith and by-laws are in development for this new movement. The CBC has stated that it fully affirms biblical authority,
8460-627: Was centered at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., after Brethren purchased a former college campus there for that purpose. Many Brethren joined Brethren Volunteer Service and Heifers for Relief, which incorporated independently in 1953 and eventually became Heifer International . The Brethren helped establish the Christian Rural Overseas Program (CROP), which was originally housed at Bethany Biblical Seminary,
8554-464: Was held by Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana , in 2003. The Assembly represents some 600,000 members around the world. Brethren are noncreedal, but have summarized their beliefs in a variety of ways for the purpose of evangelical outreach. One such statement, developed and distributed during the late nineteenth century was the Brethren's Card . A later version was endorsed for general distribution by
8648-482: Was necessary. By 1708, the date of the first Brethren baptisms, Mack had rejected this position in favor of forming a separate church with visible rules and ordinances—including threefold baptism of repentant adults by immersion, a Love Feast (that combined communion with feetwashing and an evening meal), anointing, and church discipline according to Matthew 18 culminating in use of the "ban" against members who fall into sin and refuse to repent. Religious persecution drove
8742-463: Was officially circulated by the Church of the Brethren in its publications until the middle part of the twentieth century, and it continues to be issued through the efforts of Brethren Revival Fellowship. The teachings of some other groups are similar to this, but can differ widely in emphasis and scope. For example, the Grace Brethren are varied on the requirement of trine immersion, do not practice
8836-604: Was the cradle of Pennsylvania German. Their language therefore was or soon became what today is called Pennsylvania Dutch or sometimes Pennsylvania German. In 1782 the Brethren forbade slaveholding by its members. In 1871 these Brethren adopted the title German Baptist Brethren at their Annual Meeting. The group continued to expand and from Pennsylvania, they migrated chiefly westward. By 1908 they were most numerous in Pennsylvania , Maryland , Virginia , Ohio , Indiana , Illinois , Iowa , Missouri , Nebraska , Kansas , North Dakota Arkansas , and California . [Brethren] take
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