Beachy Amish

Beachy Amish, also known as Beachy Amish Mennonites or Beachy Mennonites, are a group of churches in the Anabaptist tradition that began in 1927 in Pennsylvania. They have some similarities to Old Order Amish but are more progressive in their use of technology, such as cars and electricity. These Christian churches are loosely associated with no central authority. However, they all share beliefs and religious traditions, such as nonviolence, separation from the state, a common confession of faith, and the practices of baptism, foot washing, and the Lord’s Supper.

Background

The Amish faith traditions began during the Protestant Reformation in the early 1500s. Reformers such as Martin Luther (1483–1546) took issue with some of the practices of the Roman Catholic Church. New denominations, including the Lutheran, Anglican, and Calvinist churches, were formed. However, some felt that civil authorities had too much say in forming these denominations. They wanted churches that were like the earliest Christian churches in the first century. Some of them, including a group known as the Swiss Brethren, began rebaptizing people as a way of separating from other denominations. They became known as Anabaptists, which means “rebaptizers.”

During the sixteenth century, some Anabaptist groups led by Menno Simons adopted pacifism, or the avoidance of conflict and war. They became known as Mennonites. In the late seventeenth century, a Swiss Anabaptist leader named Jakob Ammann established a branch of the Anabaptists that held to strict rules for dress and conduct. They shunned, or cut out of the fellowship, any who did not follow these rules. Amman also adopted pacifism. These Anabaptists became the Amish. Some left Europe for the American colonies to escape persecution. Many settled in Pennsylvania, which had been founded by Quakers who shared many similar beliefs, including pacifism. Eventually, Amish people formed communities in other states as well.

Moses M. Beachy (1874–1946) was the bishop of an Anabaptist congregation in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. In 1827, he led a group of Anabaptists in separating from the main body, which became known as Old Order Amish. The main reason the Beachy Anabaptists separated was the practice of shunning. When Beachy became the bishop, he relaxed the practice and allowed members who were more progressive in the use of technology and in other ways to remain. The group eventually became known by Beachy’s name as Beachy Amish, though they are also referred to as Beachy Mennonites.

Overview

Beachy Amish are the largest single group of Amish-Mennonites in the United States, though they are not a majority when all other Amish-Mennonite groups are combined. Their congregations are loosely affiliated, held together by their overall rules and practices rather than by any central leadership. This is similar to the more traditional Old Order Amish. However, Beachy Amish generally meet in small churches as opposed to worshiping in homes as most Old Order Amish do. Beachy Amish congregations are generally led by a bishop, two ministers, and a deacon. These men are usually chosen by lot to lead the congregation.

Beachy Amish and more traditional branches of the Amish tradition share many similarities, including appearance and clothing. Members wear plain clothing, men have beards, and women cover their heads. They also share many religious beliefs, such as the use of the Dordrecht Confession of Faith. Approved by Dutch Mennonites in 1632, the Dordrecht Confession includes eighteen articles of belief and practice that are observed by most Amish and Mennonites. It sets out belief in one God who created the universe and everything in it, including humankind. It acknowledges the sin of the first humans, Adam and Eve; the need for a savior, who was Jesus Christ; and the need to believe in Christ and his death and resurrection to receive forgiveness of sins. Other articles lay out church practices such as choosing leaders and observing the Lord’s Supper, a remembrance of Christ’s final meal with his disciples. Additional articles in the confession include guidelines for marriage, the requirement to avoid all retaliation and harm directed at another, and the requirement to remain separate from official actions of the state.

Like many other Amish and Mennonite groups, the Beachy Amish participate in ritual foot washing as a way of recalling Christ’s act of service for his disciples on the night before his crucifixion and death. They practice baptism of the repentant, also known as the believer’s baptism, after a person has reached sixteen years of age. Baptism is performed by pouring water over the candidate.

Key differences between Beachy Amish and other Amish groups are related to how progressive they may be. One of the most significant differences is the Beachy Amish approach to technology. Unlike Old Order Amish, who travel by horse and buggy, Beachy Amish are permitted to own and drive cars, although they are generally basic, less expensive models. Their homes may have electricity and telephones, and they are allowed some use of computers with filtered Internet, none of which are used by other Amish.

Many Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch, but American English is the primary language for Beachy Amish. They are also more likely to own businesses or earn a living in some other way than the traditional Amish lifestyle of farming and making and selling handcrafted items. However, they will not take a government job because they wish to avoid any connection to acts of war or violence. Despite adopting some more worldly practices, Beachy Amish still maintain relatively simple lives. They do not use televisions or radios and avoid most commercially produced and advertised goods.

Beachy Amish practice evangelism and actively recruit people to join their faith. As a result, they have founded congregations in many places in the world. They also engage in missionary work in South America, Asia, parts of Europe, Australia, and Canada. Unlike many other Amish groups, their church-based congregations have organized Bible studies and Sunday school for both children and adults.

Bibliography

“Amish Origins.” Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College, groups.etown.edu/amishstudies/religion/amish-origins. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

Anderson, Corey. “Beachy Amish Mennonite Fellowship.” Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online, May 2014, gameo.org/index.php?title=Beachy‗Amish‗Mennonite‗Fellowship. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

“The Beachy Amish-Mennonites.” Beachy Amish-Mennonites, www.beachyam.org. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

“Dordrecht Confession of Faith.” Anabaptist Resources, www.anabaptistresources.org/en/resources/details/932/dordrecht-confession-of-faith. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

“Menno Simons and the Mennonites.” Church History Institute, christianhistoryinstitute.org/study/module/menno-simons. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

“Moses M. Beachy.” USGenWebs Archives, files.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/obits/b3/beachy-moses-m.txt. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

Olsen, Roger E. “Denomination of the Week: Beachy Amish.” Patheos, 10 Jan. 2016, www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2016/01/denomination-of-the-week-beachy-amish. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

Wesner, Erik. “What’s the Difference Between Beachy Amish and Old Order Amish?” Amish America, amishamerica.com/whats-the-difference-between-beachy-amish-and-old-order-amish. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

Wilkinson, Freddie. “The Protestant Reformation.” National Geographic, 19 Oct. 2023, education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/protestant-reformation. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.