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 Over the years, the need to be separated from the world and follow a distinction in dress has been replaced by a desire to make a difference in the world while maintaining their beliefs in peace and service.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