June 23, 2008 issue
Beachy Amish bridge diversity of practices
By Cory A. Anderson For Mennonite Weekly ReviewA tale of two churches: One has organized softball teams with uniforms and shows DVD movies at youth activities. Another disallows youth activities altogether, uses German in services and takes a stand against posing for photographs, even for driver’s licenses.
Women from a Beachy Amish church near Charlottesville, Va., watch the men play softball. — Photo by Cory A. Anderson
Both congregations are Beachy Amish Mennonite.
Numerous Beachy congregations fall somewhere between these two — sometimes all in one settlement.
“What really makes a Beachy a Beachy?” asks Jim Yoder, bishop of a moderate-conservative church near Leitchfield, Ky. “There is such a huge gap, and that gap is getting wider.”
Bishop emeritus John U. Lapp of Weavertown Amish Mennonite, a mainstream- progressive Beachy church in Lancaster County, Pa., concurs.
“There’s definitely many different stripes of churches,” he said.
Decisions in Beachy churches are made locally. There are no constituency-wide codes to decide what’s a Beachy church and what’s not.
Several moderate-conservative Beachy churches have recently developed minimal guidelines for three closer-knit fellowships within Beachy circles: the Maranatha Amish Mennonites, the Berea Amish Mennonites, and the newest group, which Yoder was instrumental in starting, the Ambassadors Amish Mennonites.
Congregations in these fellowships are as dispersed as the Beachy church, from Maine to Arkansas, from Kansas to Virginia, as well as in most major historic Anabaptist settlements.
In addition, other Beachys maintain informal fellowship in unnamed groups, including the most conservative and the most mainstream churches.
Comments
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Hello, My name is Leah Lichti. I'm from British Columbia in Canada. I'm 17 and the oldest of 6 children. I know christ as my Savior. I was wondering if you know of one or more girls my age from an amish, mennonite or conservative christian family that would like to write to me as a penpal. I wear skirts/dresses and I wear a covering in church. If you know of any one, I would greatly appreciate your reply, Sincerely, Leah candleinyourheart@yahoo.ca Leah Lichti P.O Box 209 Grindrod BC V0E 1Y0 CANADA
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I found your site and BEACHY AMISH MENNONITES are very interesting people.
May I request for a copy of some of your study material for christing growth.
Please sen it to: RONALDO L. LOPEZ 181 SAN GUILLERMO ST. PUTATAN MUNTINLUPA CITY 1772 METRO MANILA PHILIPPINES
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Article was interesting. I know the Mennonite group here in northwest Florida split and some went to Alabama. Would be interested in hearing more of the practices in Florida and other states. I really enjoy letters too! Candice Hoting PO Box 3646 Pensacola, FL 32516-3646 email:hotingcandice@yahoo.com
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Are there any of your types of churches here in New Jersey, and if so, where may they be found? Thank you. Pastor Bob Turton Gospel Mission Chapels P O Box 175 Hightstown, NJ 08520--0175
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Hellow,My wife and I are interested in haveing contact with the Beachy Amish for encouragement and support in Gods will.if there is some one, out there who would be of help please contact us at email Thank You.
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this is the email for Adam Hammers Trowanel@gmail.com
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