Church of the Brethren

[Anonymous]

Is the Church of the Brethren kind of like the Quakers or more like the Mennonites or what kind of church is it? They have women preachers like the Quakers but a lot of the men seem to have beards like the Amish so they give off mixed vibes and I guess I'm asking if it is a more liberal or more conservative/traditional denomination?

[Anonymous]

According to ChatGPT, the Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination with roots in the Anabaptist and Pietist movements. (The Amish are one of many Anabaptist groups that trace their roots to the Anabaptist movement in sixteenth-century Europe at the time of the Protestant Reformation. Other groups include not only the Brethren in Christ but also the Mennonites and Hutterites.) It was founded in the early 18th century in Germany by Alexander Mack and his followers, who sought a simpler, more biblically-based approach to Christianity. They emphasized beliefs such as adult baptism, nonviolence, simplicity, and community living.

The Church of the Brethren later spread to the United States, particularly to Pennsylvania, where many German immigrants settled. (Juniata College was founded by the Church of the Brethren.) Today, it is headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, and has congregations throughout the United States and around the world.

The denomination is known for its commitment to peace and social justice. It has historically been active in relief efforts, disaster response, and advocating for peace and reconciliation both domestically and internationally.

The Church of the Brethren practices believer's baptism by immersion, emphasizing the importance of personal faith and commitment to Christ. It also practices the Love Feast, a communal meal that includes foot washing, prayer, and the sharing of bread and cup, similar to the Christian ritual of communion.

Overall, the Church of the Brethren seeks to live out the teachings of Jesus Christ in community, with an emphasis on simplicity, peace, and service to others.

[Anonymous]

Why don’t you google your question, there are no experts in religion posting here. You are asking in the wrong place.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s the same , but I know people who are Open Brethren and they have cult like vibes and practice shunning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s the same , but I know people who are Open Brethren and they have cult like vibes and practice shunning.

Open Brethren in DC?

[Anonymous]

I knew a few random members many years ago. Lovely, lovely people. Solid character, kindness, peacefulness were some of the things about them that I admired.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in central PA and knew some people who were members of Church of the Brethren. Very nice, non-materialistic people. This may make them appear to be conservative. But the Anabaptists also are known for charity, non-violence and welcoming immigrants, which you might associate more with the left. But they're not mutually exclusive and in my view are an awesome combination!