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HISTORY
Since
1908, the Church of the Brethren is the name of one
of the older denominations in the Believers Church
tradition. It was founded in 1708 in Schwarzenau,
Germany, by a group of men and women who adopted
beliefs and practices along Anabaptist lines.
Through prayer, devotion, and wanting to be “radical
disciples,” this group of people wanted to restore
the church. They saw church not as a wealthy and
powerful institution— but a family of brothers and
sisters that are at work because God is among them.
Therefore, through oppression and persecution of the
current church, they re-baptized themselves with an
understanding of living out the Bible instead of
following rules, bishops, and dogma. Because of
severe persecution and economic necessity, virtually
the entire movement migrated to North America
beginning in 1719.
In North America, most Brethren were artisans;
people that have the skills of weaving and textiles.
However, most of the early Brethren that came did
end up being farmers and living peaceful and simple
lives. By 1881-1883, the Brethren split 3 ways. The
division was due largely to fundamental differences
of the church belief system as well as these three
groups were frustrated with rejections of change
and/or resistance to change. The Church of the
Brethren came out of that split as the middle man–
not too progressive and not to traditional.
Back then, all Brethren were immediately
recognizable because of their plain dress: bonnets,
black hats and reserved ways. Their ordinances were:
Baptism, Holy Kiss, Love Feast, Anointing, and
Laying on of Hands. What made Brethren seen as
peculiar was that their word was bond, calling one
another brother or sister, dedication to
non-violence, methodology of settling disputes, and
serving others just as they would serve the LORD.
They wanted to live Jesus not just have dogma about
Him. |
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