I often get asked if I'm Amish. When I say no, people almost always guess Mennonite. A guy snapped a picture of some of my friends (the one above) and posted it on Flickr, thinking they were Amish, then Mennonite.Very few know about conservative Brethren, and even fewer people have heard of the River Brethren. When we had to look up a topic on Wikipedia to check the accuracy of something we're knowledgeable about, I was surprised to find an entry about me. Okay, so not exclusively about me, but about my family.
Do I mind being associated with the Amish and Mennonites? Not at all. We value many of the same things, biblical principles--simplicity, honesty, hard work, integrity, modesty,... Yet, I really appreciate my heritage and my congregation, despite its smaller numbers and less publicity. Maybe because of its smaller numbers and less publicity.
So what are River Brethren? We don't have TV. We don't divorce and remarry. We dress uniformly. We don't smoke. We don't drink excessively. We save sex for marriage. We avoid extravagance in cars, vacations, decorations, etc.
More importantly, we follow Christ. We take the Bible literally. Why do I wear this hat on my head? See I Corinthians 11. We practice nonresistance. We do not have a church building, emphasizing that the church is people, not a place. We support each other financially, spiritually, emotionally, and so on. Every Sunday the first part of our service is devoted to hearing from anyone who wants to share prayer requests, praises, and experiences. We are a tight-knit group, like a big family.
Do I mind being associated with the Amish and Mennonites? Not at all. We value many of the same things, biblical principles--simplicity, honesty, hard work, integrity, modesty,... Yet, I really appreciate my heritage and my congregation, despite its smaller numbers and less publicity. Maybe because of its smaller numbers and less publicity.
So what are River Brethren? We don't have TV. We don't divorce and remarry. We dress uniformly. We don't smoke. We don't drink excessively. We save sex for marriage. We avoid extravagance in cars, vacations, decorations, etc.
More importantly, we follow Christ. We take the Bible literally. Why do I wear this hat on my head? See I Corinthians 11. We practice nonresistance. We do not have a church building, emphasizing that the church is people, not a place. We support each other financially, spiritually, emotionally, and so on. Every Sunday the first part of our service is devoted to hearing from anyone who wants to share prayer requests, praises, and experiences. We are a tight-knit group, like a big family.
5 comments:
I can't believe that someone actually posted a picture on of your friends on Flicker. I have to admit that before coming to Elizabethtown I did not know much about the Brethern community either, but I am so glad that you are able and willing to explain your life-style to people.
I never knew there were conservative Brethern. I always assumed that you were Mennonite. So thanks for setting me straight and sharing a little bit of your background and beliefs.
I never knew about the River Brethren. I think that's great and I'm glad you shared! ^_^
First "Beachy Brethren" I think I've ever seen!
Makes me long for Summer...
I am confused and some-what envious... and also uninterested in your lifestyle.
confused--- if there are no TVs and no decorations.... then why are you allowed to have a computer and watch videos and have a decorated blog? (curiousity... not poitning fingers)
i read the redirected link of a nonresistence life--- truely amazing because i unfortunately have never been able to practice such an act of.... controlled temperment.
uninterested in living your lifestyle-- because i do not take the bible litterally--- and believer in god as i "understand"
and.... i seem to enjoy and lavish in the opportunities of instant gratification
i admit they get the best of me---
to be continued...
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