Church of the Brethren
Encyclopedia
The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination
(not to be confused with the Plymouth Brethren
) originating from the Schwarzenau Brethren
( or "Schwarzenau New Baptists") organized in 1708 by eight persons led by Alexander Mack
, in Schwarzenau, Bad Berleburg, Germany. The Brethren movement began as a melding of Radical Pietist
and Anabaptist ideas during the Protestant Reformation
. The first of its churches in the United States was established in 1723. These church bodies became commonly known as "Dunkers," and more formally as German Baptist Brethren. The denomination holds the New Testament
as its only creed
. Historically the church has taken a strong stance for non-resistance or pacifism
. Distinctive practices include believers baptism by trine immersion; a threefold love feast consisting of feet washing
, a fellowship meal, and communion
; anointing for healing; and the holy kiss
.
The Church of the Brethren represents the largest body descending from Mack's Schwarzenau Brethren church. The German Baptist Brethren suffered a major division in the early 1880s, creating the three wings: traditionalists such as the Old German Baptist Brethren
, progressives led by The Brethren Church
, and the original majority known as conservatives later adopting the name "Church of the Brethren" in 1908. The latter body had 122,810 members as of June 2010 and 1,047 congregations in the United States and Puerto Rico as of August 2010. There are six liberal arts colleges and one seminary (Bethany Theological Seminary
in Richmond, Indiana
) related to the Church of the Brethren. General offices and the Brethren Press are located in Elgin, Illinois
.
In 1948 the Church of the Brethren joined the World Council of Churches
as a charter member and was a forming member of the National Council of Churches
in 1950.
but the New Testament
." If there is a single part of the New Testament that 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 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 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 good works (cf. karma
) in the world community and by non-confrontational witnessing. An example is a recent statement in an official church publication: "Share the story of Annual Conference with someone else as a way to 'extend Jesus' table,' even inviting those people into the fellowship of the Church of the Brethren."
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. Community, both within and outside the church, is promoted and Brethren often describe themselves in terms of what they do rather than what they believe. Brethren also believe that "faith without works is dead", and have been heavily involved in disaster relief and other charitable work.
. Historically, they have partnered with Quakers and Mennonites in their publications and other peace efforts. Its position is summarized in the phrase, "all war is sin" (Annual Conference, 1935). Many Brethren have declined to engage in military service. Some have been imprisoned for that stance.
During 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 twentieth century, baptismal applicants were required to promise to follow the church's teachings regarding "being defenseless."
During the Second World War, Brethren worked with the government to create a system of alternative service, which would allow conscientious objectors to serve their nation and humanity through non-violent 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 the expenses for the men, including food, administrative costs, and a tiny monthly stipend of $2.50." 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, many members of the Church of the Brethren do not agree with pacifism
. This was made particularly evident when, during the Second World War 80% of the men in the Church of the Brethren entered active duty
in the military. Another 10% served as noncombatants in the military with only 10% taking Conscientious objector
status. Recent national surveys of the Brethren suggest that only a minority of the current membership view military service as wrong, though even the staunchly peaceful Old Order Amish historically admit the federal government's need to wage war.
still taking a very active role in ministerial work.
Simplicity, or nonconformity as it was called until the early twentieth century, was once very noticeable in Brethren dress and grooming. Men would wear black coats with no collar, and hooks instead of buttons (often referred to as a 'Brethren Suit'). They would wear beard
s, but no mustaches. The mustache was seen as a sign of belonging to the military. Also, the beard
s were cut in a manner to avoid interference with the kiss of peace.
In addition, they wore broad-brimmed black hats. Women would wear long dresses in dull colors, and a "prayer covering". Today, the "Brethren Suit" still is 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
.
Most Brethren were well-acculturated by the second half of the twentieth 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 the earth and other people (see simple living
).
is administered a small amount of oil on his 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 is prayed for and expected. Healing is explicitly stated to include emotional and spiritual, 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.
is not performed until one is able to understand and accept the message of the gospel, typically at about age thirteen. 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, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This is followed by laying on of hands for the impartation of the Holy Spirit
.
In the early years of the church, people coming into the Church of the Brethren from other denominations were expected to be re-baptized. Today, most congregations will receive members by reaffirmation of faith or by letter of transfer from another congregation or denomination.
with his disciples. It begins with foot washing symbolizing humility and service. They then share a meal, symbolizing fellowship. Finally, they share the bread and cup communion
, symbolizing participation in Christ's suffering and death. There may also be hymns and a sermon
, as well as a preliminary time of self-examination.
Congregations typically hold love feast on Maundy Thursday
and again about six months later. Some congregations also have bread-and-cup communion periodically during regular worship services.
After reorganizing in America, Christmas Day 1723 marked the founding of first congregation (church) in Germantown
, then a village outside Philadelphia. They were known as German Baptists (although this name was not officially recognized until 1836, when the Annual Meeting still called itself "The Fraternity of German Baptists"). In 1871, the denomination adopted the name, "The German Baptist Brethren Church." Until the early twentieth 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 at Ephrata, Pennsylvania. They came to be known as the Ephrata Cloister
. Beissel practiced a mystical form of Christianity. He encouraged celibacy and a vegetarian diet.
In 1869 and again in 1880, a group of Brethren in the Miami Valley of Ohio
submitted a petition to Annual Conference pleading for a halt to liberalization and a return to traditional Brethren values. On each occasion, a more moderately worded substitute petition was submitted to the delegates. The rewording was totally unacceptable to the Miami Valley
group.
In 1881, they resubmitted their petition to Annual Conference. This time it was rejected on a technicality that it had not come through a district meeting. In November 1881, the conservatives met and formally split from the Church of the Brethren to form the Old German Baptist Brethren
. They held their first annual meeting in 1882.
Meanwhile, Henry Holsinger—a leader of the progressives in the church—had published some writings that were called slanderous and schismatic
. As a result, he was dis-fellowshipped from the 1882 annual meeting of the Brethren. He met with other progressives on June 6 and 7, 1883, and formed 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 name change was precipitated by the predominant use of English in the church, the fact that the name "German Baptist" frustrated mission work, and to further distance themselves from the Old German Baptist Brethren
.
, which they had once dismissed as a manifestation of "popular Christianity."
Discipline for violating church teachings gradually subsided as 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. His questionable contention that "no force in religion" had been a Brethren teaching since their founding reinforced calls to relax church discipline.
During the 1940s and 1950s, expressions of global Christian service energized the denomination, the most well-known being Brethren Volunteer Service and Heifers for Relief, which incorporated independently in 1953 and is today known as Heifer International
. The Brethren were also instrumental in establishing the Christian Rural Overseas Program (CROP), which was originally housed at Bethany Biblical Seminary, the Brethren Seminary in Chicago. Well-known leaders of the Brethren Service initiatives were Dan West and M. R. (Michael Robert) Zigler.
At the 1958 Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa
, trine immersion was no longer required for all members, women were given an ordination status equal to men, love feast was opened to members of any church, and bread and cup communion was permitted without having love feast. In response, at the 1959 Annual Conference in Ocean Grove, New Jersey
, a group of conservative and evangelical Brethren joined to form the Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF). It describes itself as a loyal concern movement within the Church of the Brethren. The BRF promotes simple dress, Biblical inerrancy
, church discipline, and an evangelical
understanding of faith. It has been critical of the church's involvement in political and social causes and its involvement with the World Council of Churches
and the National Council of Churches
.
Promoting the more liberal ideas—including changing the name of the church because it is seen to be exclusionary of women, acceptance of homosexuals as members and ministers, and increased social and political activity—are groups such as Womaen's Caucus, Voices for an Open Spirit, and the Brethren Mennonite Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests.
Although a great 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 district and congregational autonomy.
The Church of the Brethren—like many other mainline churches—has suffered a steady decline in membership since the middle of the twentieth century. Among possible reasons for the decline is that the Church of Brethren is not evangelical and often does not actively seek out new members. Despite the overall decline, there has been a noteworthy growth in the church in Puerto Rico
(where it is called ""), since the late 1970s. It has also spread into other countries including the Dominican Republic
and Haiti
(as "".)
In Nigeria
, the Church of the Brethren
is literally known as Church of the Children of the Same Mother Mission work began in Nigeria in 1923 and 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 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.
There have been three degrees of ministry in the Church of the Brethren:
The Brethren also select deacons in most congregations. They assist in ministerial functions, particularly by tending to the physical and spiritual needs of individual members. Often, a husband and wife will serve together as deacons.
Each congregation also selects delegates to serve at an Annual Conference (sometimes called annual meeting), which is the final human authority in questions of faith and practice. Issues that cannot be resolved on a local level, or which have implications for the church as a whole are framed as "queries," which are submitted by a congregation to the district (since 1866), and then, if necessary, are passed on to Annual Conference. Typically, a committee is formed to study the matter, and an answer is reported and adopted by a vote of the delegates at a subsequent Annual Conference.
At the 2008 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, two of these agencies, the Church of the Brethren General Board and the Association of Brethren Caregivers were combined into a single entity, the Church of the Brethren, Inc., the ministry arm of which will be known as the Mission and Ministry Board.
Other Annual Conference agencies include Bethany Theological Seminary, Brethren Benefit Trust, and On Earth Peace.
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
(not to be confused with the Plymouth Brethren
Plymouth Brethren
The Plymouth Brethren is a conservative, Evangelical Christian movement, whose history can be traced to Dublin, Ireland, in the late 1820s. Although the group is notable for not taking any official "church name" to itself, and not having an official clergy or liturgy, the title "The Brethren," is...
) originating from the Schwarzenau Brethren
Schwarzenau Brethren
The Schwarzenau Brethren, originated in Germany, the outcome of the Radical Pietist ferment of the late 17th and early 18th century. Hopeful of the imminent return of Christ, the founding Brethren abandoned the established Reformed and Lutheran churches, forming a new church in 1708 when their...
( or "Schwarzenau New Baptists") organized in 1708 by eight persons led by Alexander Mack
Alexander Mack
Alexander Mack was one of the founders of the Schwarzenau Brethren.Alexander Mack may refer to:*Alexander Mack , Civil War Medal of Honor recipient*Alex Mack, American football player*Alex Mack...
, in Schwarzenau, Bad Berleburg, Germany. The Brethren movement began as a melding of Radical Pietist
Radical Pietism
Radical Pietism refers to a movement within Protestantism, lasting from the late 17th century to the mid 18th century and later, which emphasized the need for a "religion of the heart" instead of the head, and was characterized by ethical purity, inward devotion, charity, asceticism, and even...
and Anabaptist ideas during the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
. The first of its churches in the United States was established in 1723. These church bodies became commonly known as "Dunkers," and more formally as German Baptist Brethren. The denomination holds the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
as its only creed
Creed
A creed is a statement of belief—usually a statement of faith that describes the beliefs shared by a religious community—and is often recited as part of a religious service. When the statement of faith is longer and polemical, as well as didactic, it is not called a creed but a Confession of faith...
. Historically the church has taken a strong stance for non-resistance or pacifism
Pacifism
Pacifism is the opposition to war and violence. The term "pacifism" was coined by the French peace campaignerÉmile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress inGlasgow in 1901.- Definition :...
. Distinctive practices include believers baptism by trine immersion; a threefold love feast consisting of feet washing
Feet washing
Foot washing or washing of feet is a religious rite observed as an ordinance by several Christian denominations. The name, and even the spelling, of this practice is not consistently established, being variously known as foot washing, washing the saints' feet, pedilavium, and mandatum.For some...
, a fellowship meal, and communion
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
; anointing for healing; and the holy kiss
Holy kiss
The kiss of peace is a traditional Christian greeting dating to early Christianity.The practice still remains a part of the worship in traditional churches, including the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, Eastern Orthodox churches, Oriental Orthodox churches and some liturgical...
.
The Church of the Brethren represents the largest body descending from Mack's Schwarzenau Brethren church. The German Baptist Brethren suffered a major division in the early 1880s, creating the three wings: traditionalists such as the Old German Baptist Brethren
Old German Baptist Brethren
Old German Baptist Brethren descend from a pietist movement in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708, when Alexander Mack founded a fellowship with seven other believers. They are one of several Brethren groups that trace themselves to that original founding body...
, progressives led by The Brethren Church
The Brethren Church
The Brethren Church is one of several groups that traces its origins back to the Schwarzenau Brethren of Germany. In the mid-19th century, the church began to struggle over modernization. Progressives stressed evangelism, objected to distinctive dress, and objected to the supremacy of the annual...
, and the original majority known as conservatives later adopting the name "Church of the Brethren" in 1908. The latter body had 122,810 members as of June 2010 and 1,047 congregations in the United States and Puerto Rico as of August 2010. There are six liberal arts colleges and one seminary (Bethany Theological Seminary
Bethany Theological Seminary
Bethany Theological Seminary is the graduate school and academy for theological education for the Church of the Brethren. Bethany, located in Richmond, Indiana, is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and the Higher Learning Commission of the North...
in Richmond, Indiana
Richmond, Indiana
Richmond is a city largely within Wayne Township, Wayne County, in east central Indiana, United States, which borders Ohio. The city also includes the Richmond Municipal Airport, which is in Boston Township and separated from the rest of the city...
) related to the Church of the Brethren. General offices and the Brethren Press are located in Elgin, Illinois
Elgin, Illinois
Elgin is a city in northern Illinois located roughly northwest of Chicago on the Fox River. Most of Elgin lies within Kane County, Illinois, with a portion in Cook County, Illinois...
.
In 1948 the Church of the Brethren joined the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
as a charter member and was a forming member of the National Council of Churches
National Council of Churches
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA is an ecumenical partnership of 37 Christian faith groups in the United States. Its member denominations, churches, conventions, and archdioceses include Mainline Protestant, Orthodox, African American, Evangelical, and historic peace...
in 1950.
Non-creedalism
The Brethren state that they have "no creedCreed
A creed is a statement of belief—usually a statement of faith that describes the beliefs shared by a religious community—and is often recited as part of a religious service. When the statement of faith is longer and polemical, as well as didactic, it is not called a creed but a Confession of faith...
but the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
." If there is a single part of the New Testament that 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 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 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 good works (cf. karma
Karma
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies....
) in the world community and by non-confrontational witnessing. An example is a recent statement in an official church publication: "Share the story of Annual Conference with someone else as a way to 'extend Jesus' table,' even inviting those people into the fellowship of the Church of the Brethren."
Brethren espouse the basic beliefs of Christianity, such as the divinity
Divinity
Divinity and divine are broadly applied but loosely defined terms, used variously within different faiths and belief systems — and even by different individuals within a given faith — to refer to some transcendent or transcendental power or deity, or its attributes or manifestations in...
of Christ. They emphasize peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
, simplicity
Simple living
Simple living encompasses a number of different voluntary practices to simplify one's lifestyle. These may include reducing one's possessions or increasing self-sufficiency, for example. Simple living may be characterized by individuals being satisfied with what they need rather than want...
, the equality of believers, and consistent obedience to Christ. Community, both within and outside the church, is promoted and Brethren often describe themselves in terms of what they do rather than what they believe. Brethren also believe that "faith without works is dead", and have been heavily involved in disaster relief and other charitable work.
Peace
The Church of the Brethren is one of the historic peace churchesPeace churches
Peace churches are Christian churches, groups or communities advocating Christian pacifism. The term historic peace churches refers specifically only to three church groups among pacifist churches: Church of the Brethren, Mennonites including the Amish, and Religious Society of Friends and has...
. Historically, they have partnered with Quakers and Mennonites in their publications and other peace efforts. Its position is summarized in the phrase, "all war is sin" (Annual Conference, 1935). Many Brethren have declined to engage in military service. Some have been imprisoned for that stance.
During the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
and the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Brethren required their members to abstain from military service, believing that obedience to Christ precluded such involvements. Until the early twentieth century, baptismal applicants were required to promise to follow the church's teachings regarding "being defenseless."
During the Second World War, Brethren worked with the government to create a system of alternative service, which would allow conscientious objectors to serve their nation and humanity through non-violent service. Civilian Public Service
Civilian Public Service
The Civilian Public Service provided conscientious objectors in the United States an alternative to military service during World War II...
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 the expenses for the men, including food, administrative costs, and a tiny monthly stipend of $2.50." 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, many members of the Church of the Brethren do not agree with pacifism
Christian pacifism
Christian pacifism is the theological and ethical position that any form of violence is incompatible with the Christian faith. Christian pacifists state that Jesus himself was a pacifist who taught and practiced pacifism, and that his followers must do likewise.There have been various notable...
. This was made particularly evident when, during the Second World War 80% of the men in the Church of the Brethren entered active duty
Active duty
Active duty refers to a full-time occupation as part of a military force, as opposed to reserve duty.-Pakistan:The Pakistan Armed Forces are one of the largest active service forces in the world with almost 610,000 full time personnel due to the complex and volatile nature of Pakistan's...
in the military. Another 10% served as noncombatants in the military with only 10% taking Conscientious objector
Conscientious objector
A conscientious objector is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, and/or religion....
status. Recent national surveys of the Brethren suggest that only a minority of the current membership view military service as wrong, though even the staunchly peaceful Old Order Amish historically admit the federal government's need to wage war.
Priesthood of all Believers
Brethren follow a non-hierarchical pattern of church life. In the past, most congregations were served by multiple "free" ministers, who supported themselves through other occupations. Today, most congregations have paid pastors, but their function is still somewhat limited, with the laityLaity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
still taking a very active role in ministerial work.
Simplicity
Brethren have been urged (and in earlier times compelled) to live a relatively simple life-style. At various points in their history, Brethren have been 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 was called until the early twentieth century, was once very noticeable in Brethren dress and grooming. Men would wear black coats with no collar, and hooks instead of buttons (often referred to as a 'Brethren Suit'). They would wear beard
Beard
A beard is the collection of hair that grows on the chin, cheeks and neck of human beings. Usually, only pubescent or adult males are able to grow beards. However, women with hirsutism may develop a beard...
s, but no mustaches. The mustache was seen as a sign of belonging to the military. Also, the beard
Beard
A beard is the collection of hair that grows on the chin, cheeks and neck of human beings. Usually, only pubescent or adult males are able to grow beards. However, women with hirsutism may develop a beard...
s were cut in a manner to avoid interference with the kiss of peace.
In addition, they wore broad-brimmed black hats. Women would wear long dresses in dull colors, and a "prayer covering". Today, the "Brethren Suit" still is 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
Plain dress
Plain dress is a religious practice in which people dress in clothes of traditional modest design, sturdy fabric, and conservative cut. It is used to show humility and to preserve communal separateness from the rest of the world. It is practiced by some Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, Mennonites,...
is very similar to the clothing of the present-day Amish
Amish
The Amish , sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches...
.
Most Brethren were well-acculturated by the second half of the twentieth 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 the earth and other people (see simple living
Simple living
Simple living encompasses a number of different voluntary practices to simplify one's lifestyle. These may include reducing one's possessions or increasing self-sufficiency, for example. Simple living may be characterized by individuals being satisfied with what they need rather than want...
).
Ordinances
The Brethren avoid 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:Anointing for healing
A supplicantSupplicant
A Supplicant, one who supplicates, is a term applied to humble petitioners, and in particular to University of Oxford students who have qualified but not yet been admitted into their degree....
is administered a small amount of oil on his 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
Last Rites
The Last Rites are the very last prayers and ministrations given to many Christians before death. The last rites go by various names and include different practices in different Christian traditions...
), since healing is prayed for and expected. Healing is explicitly stated to include emotional and spiritual, as well as physical healing.
Anointing and laying on of hands
Laying on of hands
The laying on of hands is a religious ritual that accompanies certain religious practices, which are found throughout the world in varying forms....
have also been used for other purposes, such as consecrating someone for missions or other special service.
Believer's baptism
The Brethren believe that baptism is an outward sign of an inward experience of salvation. Hence, baptismBaptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
is not performed until one is able to understand and accept the message of the gospel, typically at about age thirteen. 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, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This is followed by laying on of hands for the impartation of the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
.
In the early years of the church, people coming into the Church of the Brethren from other denominations were expected to be re-baptized. Today, most congregations will receive members by reaffirmation of faith or by letter of transfer from another congregation or denomination.
Love feast
The Brethren love feast is a conscious imitation of Jesus' last supperLast Supper
The Last Supper is the final meal that, according to Christian belief, Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "communion" or "the Lord's Supper".The First Epistle to the Corinthians is...
with his disciples. It begins with foot washing symbolizing humility and service. They then share a meal, symbolizing fellowship. Finally, they share the bread and cup communion
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
, symbolizing participation in Christ's suffering and death. There may also be hymns and a sermon
Sermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
, as well as a preliminary time of self-examination.
Congregations typically hold love feast on Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great & Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels...
and again about six months later. Some congregations also have bread-and-cup communion periodically during regular worship services.
Early
The group of Christians who organized themselves into a church at Schwarzenau, Germany in 1708 originally referred to themselves as the New Baptists . The name alluded to the use of the name Täufer (Baptists) by the Mennonites.After reorganizing in America, Christmas Day 1723 marked the founding of first congregation (church) in Germantown
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Germantown is a neighborhood in the northwest section of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, about 7–8 miles northwest from the center of the city...
, then a village outside Philadelphia. They were known as German Baptists (although this name was not officially recognized until 1836, when the Annual Meeting still called itself "The Fraternity of German Baptists"). In 1871, the denomination adopted the name, "The German Baptist Brethren Church." Until the early twentieth century, Brethren were colloquially called Tunkers or Dunkers (from the German for immersionists).
In 1728, Conrad Beissel
Conrad Beissel
Johann Conrad Beissel was the German-born religious leader who in 1732 founded the Ephrata Community in Pennsylvania.-Background:...
, a Brethren minister at Conestoga (Lancaster County, PA) renounced his association with the Brethren and formed his own group at Ephrata, Pennsylvania. They came to be known as the Ephrata Cloister
Ephrata Cloister
The Ephrata Cloister or Ephrata Community was a religious community, established in 1732 by Johann Conrad Beissel at Ephrata, in what is now Lancaster County, Pennsylvania...
. Beissel practiced a mystical form of Christianity. He encouraged celibacy and a vegetarian diet.
The Great Schism
After the Beissel split, all later splits in the church were based on doctrinal differences. The most conservative members emphasized consistency, obedience, and the order of the Brethren. They opposed the use of musical instruments, Sunday Schools, and worldly amusements. They promoted plain dress, simple lifestyle, and church discipline. The progressives in 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 again in 1880, a group of Brethren in the Miami Valley of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
submitted a petition to Annual Conference pleading for a halt to liberalization and a return to traditional Brethren values. On each occasion, a more moderately worded substitute petition was submitted to the delegates. The rewording was totally unacceptable to the Miami Valley
Miami Valley
The Miami Valley, broadly, refers to the land area surrounding the Great Miami River in southwest Ohio, USA, and also includes the Little Miami, Mad, and Stillwater rivers as well...
group.
In 1881, they resubmitted their petition to Annual Conference. This time it was rejected on a technicality that it had not come through a district meeting. In November 1881, the conservatives met and formally split from the Church of the Brethren to form the Old German Baptist Brethren
Old German Baptist Brethren
Old German Baptist Brethren descend from a pietist movement in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708, when Alexander Mack founded a fellowship with seven other believers. They are one of several Brethren groups that trace themselves to that original founding body...
. They held their first annual meeting in 1882.
Meanwhile, Henry Holsinger—a leader of the progressives in the church—had published some writings that were called slanderous and schismatic
Schism (religion)
A schism , from Greek σχίσμα, skhísma , is a division between people, usually belonging to an organization or movement religious denomination. The word is most frequently applied to a break of communion between two sections of Christianity that were previously a single body, or to a division within...
. As a result, he was dis-fellowshipped from the 1882 annual meeting of the Brethren. He met with other progressives on June 6 and 7, 1883, and formed The Brethren Church
The Brethren Church
The Brethren Church is one of several groups that traces its origins back to the Schwarzenau Brethren of Germany. In the mid-19th century, the church began to struggle over modernization. Progressives stressed evangelism, objected to distinctive dress, and objected to the supremacy of the annual...
.
The remaining middle group—called "conservatives"—retained the name German Baptist Brethren. At the Annual Conference of 1908 at Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, the name was officially changed to the Church of the Brethren. The name change was precipitated by the predominant use of English in the church, the fact that the name "German Baptist" frustrated mission work, and to further distance themselves from the Old German Baptist Brethren
Old German Baptist Brethren
Old German Baptist Brethren descend from a pietist movement in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708, when Alexander Mack founded a fellowship with seven other believers. They are one of several Brethren groups that trace themselves to that original founding body...
.
Early twentieth century
During the early twentieth century, Brethren invested heavily in foreign missions in India, China, and other locations. They also embraced the American Temperance movementTemperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
, which they had once dismissed as a manifestation of "popular Christianity."
Discipline for violating church teachings gradually subsided as 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
Martin Grove Brumbaugh
Martin Grove Brumbaugh, A.M., Ph.D. was Pennsylvania's 26th Governor, a Republican. He is frequently referred to as M.G. Brumbaugh, as is common in the Brumbaugh family.-Biography:...
—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. His questionable contention that "no force in religion" had been a Brethren teaching since their founding reinforced calls to relax church discipline.
During the 1940s and 1950s, expressions of global Christian service energized the denomination, the most well-known being Brethren Volunteer Service and Heifers for Relief, which incorporated independently in 1953 and is today known as Heifer International
Heifer International
Heifer International is a global nonprofit with the goal of ending poverty and hunger in a sustainable fashion. Established in 1944, Heifer International gives out gifts of livestock, seeds and trees and extensive training to those in need...
. The Brethren were also instrumental in establishing the Christian Rural Overseas Program (CROP), which was originally housed at Bethany Biblical Seminary, the Brethren Seminary in Chicago. Well-known leaders of the Brethren Service initiatives were Dan West and M. R. (Michael Robert) Zigler.
Developments since the mid-20th century
Since the end of the Second World War, church and member positions on social issues have caused further disagreements between congregations, districts, and individuals within the church. Particularly difficult issues which have been the source of much debate and division include the authority of the Bible, the ordination of women, tolerance of homosexuality, and the promotion of ecumenicalism.At the 1958 Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, trine immersion was no longer required for all members, women were given an ordination status equal to men, love feast was opened to members of any church, and bread and cup communion was permitted without having love feast. In response, at the 1959 Annual Conference in Ocean Grove, New Jersey
Ocean Grove, New Jersey
Ocean Grove is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Neptune Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey. It had a population of 3,342 at the 2010 census. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean Jersey Shore, between Asbury Park to the north and Bradley Beach to the south...
, a group of conservative and evangelical Brethren joined to form the Brethren Revival Fellowship (BRF). It describes itself as a loyal concern movement within the Church of the Brethren. The BRF promotes simple dress, Biblical inerrancy
Biblical inerrancy
Biblical inerrancy is the doctrinal position that the Bible is accurate and totally free of error, that "Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact." Some equate inerrancy with infallibility; others do not.Conservative Christians generally believe that...
, church discipline, and an evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
understanding of faith. It has been critical of the church's involvement in political and social causes and its involvement with the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
and the National Council of Churches
National Council of Churches
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA is an ecumenical partnership of 37 Christian faith groups in the United States. Its member denominations, churches, conventions, and archdioceses include Mainline Protestant, Orthodox, African American, Evangelical, and historic peace...
.
Promoting the more liberal ideas—including changing the name of the church because it is seen to be exclusionary of women, acceptance of homosexuals as members and ministers, and increased social and political activity—are groups such as Womaen's Caucus, Voices for an Open Spirit, and the Brethren Mennonite Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests.
Although a great 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
Unity in diversity
Unity in diversity is a slogan celebrating co-operation between different groups of people in a single society and socio-ecological philosophy that describes a sense of oneness despite physical or psychological barriers....
", which generally allows for district and congregational autonomy.
Membership today and international presence
In 2008, the Church of the Brethren had 124,408 members and 999 churches in the United States. Membership increased in the first part of the twentieth century and peaked in the early 1960s at about 200,000. Pennsylvania remains the hub of the denomination with over 200 congregations and over 50,000 members. Other than Pennsylvania, the states with the highest membership rates are West Virginia, Virginia, Indiana, and Maryland.The Church of the Brethren—like many other mainline churches—has suffered a steady decline in membership since the middle of the twentieth century. Among possible reasons for the decline is that the Church of Brethren is not evangelical and often does not actively seek out new members. Despite the overall decline, there has been a noteworthy growth in the church in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
(where it is called ""), since the late 1970s. It has also spread into other countries including the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
and Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
(as "".)
In Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, the Church of the Brethren
Church of the Brethren in Nigeria
The Church of the Brethren in Nigeria is a Protestant and Anabaptist Christian denomination from Nigeria with more than 100,000 members. It has hundreds of pastors and hundreds of parishes. It has been established in the 20th century. The Church of the Brethren in Nigeria has bible colleges and...
is literally known as Church of the Children of the Same Mother Mission work began in Nigeria in 1923 and 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 the United Andean Indian Mission
United Andean Indian Mission
The United Andean Indian Mission , was an ecumenical and interdenominational Protestant mission, formed in the United States of America in 1946 with the purpose of working among the indigenous peoples in Ecuador, South America...
, 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
Church of North India
The Church of North India , the dominant Protestant denomination in northern India, is a united church established on 29 November 1970 by bringing together the main Protestant churches working in northern India...
, though some congregations have seceded since the merger.
Structure
The Brethren practice the "priesthood of all believers," and their structure is egalitarian. Some members still address each other as "Brother Smith" or "Sister Jones," for example. The practice is more common in the Eastern United States. Even the moderator of Annual Conference, the highest elected office in the church, is addressed as "Brother (or Sister) Moderator."Ministry
The term "minister" is understood as a functional role rather than an hierarchical position of authority. In the early days, most congregations had several ministers chosen ("called" or "elected") by the members of the congregation. The concept of a professional pastor (first explicitly permitted in 1911) has slowly become the predominant model, although many congregations still have "free" (nonsalaried) ministers and plural ministry.There have been three degrees of ministry in the Church of the Brethren:
- The first degree (now known as licensed minister) is bestowed on those who are considering serving as ministers. The first degree is a time for education and self-examination, after which the individual either advances to the second degree or returns to lay status.
- The second degree minister or ordained minister is one who intends to continue serving in a ministerial role, usually, but not always as a professional pastor, teacher, counselor, or administrator.
- The third degree of minister, also known as an elder, serves as a head minister and supervises other ministers in a congregation. Some elders were perceived as being arrogant regarding their position, and the Annual Conference of 1967 decided that no elders would be elected after that time. Some congregations in the Southern Pennsylvania and Atlantic Northeast Districts still elect elders.
The Brethren also select deacons in most congregations. They assist in ministerial functions, particularly by tending to the physical and spiritual needs of individual members. Often, a husband and wife will serve together as deacons.
Officers
The leading officers in the Church of the Brethren for business purposes are called moderators. Their principal function is to chair business meetings. There are congregational moderators, district moderators, and an annual conference (denominational) moderator. In recent years, the annual conference moderator has been elected a year in advance, and in the interim serves as "moderator elect."Geographical structure
The church is divided into congregations that once had clear geographical boundaries. Since the 1930s, however, the boundaries have been indistinct and overlapping. Since 1856, congregations are collected into districts (23 as of 2010), whose boundaries are clear and usually correspond with state borders or county lines. The vast majority of present congregations are located east of the Mississippi. Fifty percent of the membership is located in just two states: Pennsylvania and Virginia.Each congregation also selects delegates to serve at an Annual Conference (sometimes called annual meeting), which is the final human authority in questions of faith and practice. Issues that cannot be resolved on a local level, or which have implications for the church as a whole are framed as "queries," which are submitted by a congregation to the district (since 1866), and then, if necessary, are passed on to Annual Conference. Typically, a committee is formed to study the matter, and an answer is reported and adopted by a vote of the delegates at a subsequent Annual Conference.
Boards, committees, and agencies
The Brethren have numerous boards and committees (sometimes called "teams") that can be either temporary or permanent and either highly focused on one issue (e.g. evangelism) or general in scope. There are also several agencies of the church, institutions given charge of carrying out the ministries of the church.At the 2008 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, two of these agencies, the Church of the Brethren General Board and the Association of Brethren Caregivers were combined into a single entity, the Church of the Brethren, Inc., the ministry arm of which will be known as the Mission and Ministry Board.
Other Annual Conference agencies include Bethany Theological Seminary, Brethren Benefit Trust, and On Earth Peace.
Liberal arts colleges related to the Church of the Brethren
- Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Virginia
- Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
- Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
- University of La Verne in La Verne, California
- Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana
- McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas
Further reading
- Brethren Society: The Cultural Transformation of a Peculiar People, Carl F. BowmanCarl BowmanCarl Bowman is an American sociologist, who is widely recognized for his studies of Anabaptist religious groups and is perhaps the foremost expert on the social and cultural history of the Church of the Brethren.- Author and educator :...
(1995) Johns Hopkins University Press - Brethren Encyclopedia, Vol. I–III, Donald F. DurnbaughDonald F. DurnbaughDonald F. Durnbaugh was a noted historian of the Church of the Brethren who published more than 200 books, articles, reviews, and essays on its history...
, editor (1983) The Brethren Encyclopedia Inc. - Brethren Encyclopedia, Vol. IV, Donald F. DurnbaughDonald F. DurnbaughDonald F. Durnbaugh was a noted historian of the Church of the Brethren who published more than 200 books, articles, reviews, and essays on its history...
and Dale V. Ulrich, editors, Carl BowmanCarl BowmanCarl Bowman is an American sociologist, who is widely recognized for his studies of Anabaptist religious groups and is perhaps the foremost expert on the social and cultural history of the Church of the Brethren.- Author and educator :...
, contributing editor (2006) The Brethren Encyclopedia Inc. - Encyclopedia of American Religions, J. Gordon Melton, editor
- Fruit of the Vine, A History of the Brethren 1708–1995, Donald F. DurnbaughDonald F. DurnbaughDonald F. Durnbaugh was a noted historian of the Church of the Brethren who published more than 200 books, articles, reviews, and essays on its history...
(1997) Brethren Press - Handbook of Denominations, by Frank S. Mead, Samuel S. Hill, and Craig D. Atwood
- Portrait of a People: The Church of the Brethren at 300, Carl Desportes BowmanCarl BowmanCarl Bowman is an American sociologist, who is widely recognized for his studies of Anabaptist religious groups and is perhaps the foremost expert on the social and cultural history of the Church of the Brethren.- Author and educator :...
(2008) Brethren Press - Profiles in Belief: the Religious Bodies of the United States and Canada, by Arthur Carl Piepkorn
- Religious Congregations & Membership in the United States (2000), Glenmary Research Center
- The Believers' Church: The History and Character of Radical Protestantism, Donald F. DurnbaughDonald F. DurnbaughDonald F. Durnbaugh was a noted historian of the Church of the Brethren who published more than 200 books, articles, reviews, and essays on its history...
(1968) The Macmillan Company
External links
- The Official Homepage of the Church of the Brethren, in the USA & Canada
- Profile of the Church of the Brethren on the Association of Religion Data Archives website
- Bethany Theological Seminary
- Church of the Brethren from Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia OnlineGlobal Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia OnlineThe Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online is an online encyclopedia of topics relating to Mennonites and Anabaptism. The mission of the project is to provide free, reliable, English-language information on anabaptist-related topics....