Anabaptists, Mennonites, and Amish

Where did this family come from?

Anabaptist movements emerged during the sixteenth-century Reformation, when Christians challenged the established churches of Europe. Their insistence that baptism should follow a person's own confession of faith brought them into conflict with both Catholic and Protestant authorities. The name meant “rebaptizer”: opponents considered these believers' infant baptisms valid, while Anabaptists did not consider their later baptism a repetition. Mennonites take their name from Menno Simons, a former Dutch Catholic priest who became an influential leader. See Mennonite Church USA's historical introduction.

What do they emphasize?

Discipleship means learning to follow Jesus in ordinary decisions, relationships, and work. Many Anabaptist churches stress a voluntary community of believers, mutual help, and reading Scripture together with Jesus' life and teaching at the center. Their peace tradition calls Christians to love enemies and resist violence. Other Christians read Jesus' teaching as permitting force under carefully limited conditions, so the peace tradition is one side of an ongoing Christian debate. Mennonite World Conference's shared convictions explain its member churches' commitments.

What might worship and community look like?

Mennonite congregations commonly gather for prayer, Scripture, preaching, singing, and communion, the shared bread and cup remembering Jesus. Baptism follows a profession of faith; methods vary. Church networks connect congregations across countries, but there is no single authority governing every Anabaptist group. Some communities use simple clothing and limit technology. Many others participate fully in modern professional, educational, and public life. A shared ancestry does not imply identical customs.

How do Mennonites and Amish differ?

The Amish developed from a division associated with Jacob Ammann in 1693, involving church discipline and separation from surrounding society. Amish church districts maintain community rules about dress, transport, and technology, with differences between groups. “Amish” therefore does not mean every Mennonite, and “Mennonite” does not mean a single ethnic background. Mennonite churches themselves differ over social questions, leadership, and worship. The Mennonite FAQ gives more detail. Compare the wider Christian arguments about baptism and violence and peace.