The Brethren Church, also known as the Church of the Brethren, is a Christian denomination with origins in 18th century Germany. It emerged from the Pietist movement and has roots in the Anabaptist and Radical Reformation traditions. Some key beliefs and practices of the Brethren Church include:
Origins
The Brethren Church first took shape in 1708 when a group of eight German Pietists organized a covenant to follow Christ in daily life. Led by Alexander Mack, this group rejected infant baptism and instituted baptism of adult believers by immersion. They saw themselves as a renewal movement within the Lutheran church, but their practices led to persecution by civil and religious authorities. In 1719, some of the early Brethren immigrated to America to escape persecution and practice their beliefs more freely.
The Brethren settled in Germantown, near Philadelphia, and became known as German Baptists or Dunkers. By 1723, about 25 Brethren families were living in the Americas. The first American congregation was organized in 1723 in Germantown. From this small beginning, the Brethren Church spread westward across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and beyond.
Some of the early influences and roots of the Brethren Church include:
- Anabaptist movement – belief in adult baptism, pacifism, separation of church and state.
- Pietism – emphasis on practical Christian living, morality, fellowship.
- Radical Reformation – rejection of state church, focus on New Testament.
- German Baptist Brethren groups in Europe.
Early Leaders
Some influential early leaders who helped shape the Brethren Church included:
- Alexander Mack (1679-1735) – Instrumental leader in founding the Brethren movement in 1708. Preached nonviolence.
- Peter Becker (1687-1758) – First minister ordained in America. Evangelistic efforts helped spread Brethren practices.
- Christopher Sower (1693-1758) – Prolific printer and publisher. Printed many German and English Bibles and Brethren materials.
- Conrad Beissel (1690-1768) – Founded the monastic Ephrata Community in Pennsylvania as an offshoot of the Brethren.
Early Schisms
In its early history, the Brethren church experienced two significant schisms:
- The Great Schism (1728) – Divided Brethren into two branches: the Old Order or Conservative Dunkers, and the New Order or Progressive Dunkers. Dispute over whether it was acceptable to wash feet in pews rather than at the fellowship table.
- The Annual Conference (1881) – Divided progressive Brethren into the German Baptist Brethren and the Brethren Church over disagreements about dress, nonconformity to the world, and structure of the Annual Meeting.
Distinctive Beliefs
Some of the notable beliefs and practices of the Brethren Church include:
- Baptism – Baptism of adult believers by triune immersion. Infant baptism is rejected. (Matthew 28:19)
- Love Feast / Communion – A full meal accompanied by communion and feet washing. Practiced in connection with communion services. (John 13:1-17)
- Nonviolence – Emphasis on peace, nonviolence, nonresistance. Refusal to bear arms. (Matthew 5:38-48)
- Simplicity – Following Christ’s example by living simply, avoiding luxuries and excess. (Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:33)
- Unity – Unity among believers. Acceptance across social, economic and racial lines. (John 17:20-23)
Worship and Practices
Worship and practices of the Brethren Church include:
- No ordained clergy. Ministers are chosen from within the congregation.
- Lay leadership. Decisions made democratically by congregation.
- Shared simplicity and nonconformity to wider culture.
- Love feast held regularly. Feet washing may precede communion.
- Baptism by triune immersion upon confession of faith.
- Anointing of oil for healing of the sick.
- Sharing the “holy kiss” as a symbol of Christian love.
- Wearing modest, plain clothing. May refrain from wearing jewelry.
- Pacifism and conscientious objection to military service.
Church Structure and Governance
The Brethren Church structure includes:
- Local congregations are autonomous – there is no centralized governing body dictating policy or practice.
- Congregations are led by ministers and deacons chosen from within the congregation.
- Major decisions are made democratically via consensus at the local level.
- There are regional districts, but they mainly serve to provide fellowship opportunities.
- An Annual Conference provides counsel and maintains connections between congregations.
This decentralized organizational structure reflects the Brethren emphasis on unity, equality, and democratic governance.
Outreach and Mission Work
The Brethren Church has engaged in mission work worldwide since the early 18th century. Some major mission efforts have included:
- Peter Becker – evangelistic trips in early 1700s to spread Brethren beliefs in American colonies.
- Work among Native Americans – especially in Pennsylvania during colonial era.
- Establishment of Sunday Schools – pioneered by Christopher Dock in mid-1700s to teach reading and Bible.
- Near East Relief – humanitarian aid to Armenia, Turkey, Greece in wake of WWI and Armenian genocide.
- Heifer Project – sent livestock to those in need after WWII, founding organization of Heifer International.
- Disaster Relief – aid provided domestically and internationally following disasters.
- Youth and young adult work teams – travel to assist disadvantaged communities.
- Peace efforts – conscientious objection, nonviolent direct action, peace studies institutes.
This mission work reflects the Brethren beliefs in service, outreach, and promoting peace.
Membership and Demographics
In the United States, membership in the Brethren Church is currently around 115,000 in about 950 congregations. Worldwide membership is around 240,000. Other facts about Brethren Church demographics:
- Membership peaked in the 1950s-1960s at around 250,000 in the US.
- Congregations are concentrated mostly in the Midwest and Pennsylvania, but spread across the US.
- Often found in rural farming communities.
- Ethnically homogeneous. Vast majority of members are white, of German or Swiss descent.
- Ages tend toward older side. Many young adults do not remain with church.
Declining membership since the 1970s has challenged the Brethren Church to attract more ethnic diversity and young people.
Colleges and Institutions
The Brethren Church has established several colleges and institutions including:
- Bridgewater College – Virginia liberal arts college affiliated with the Church of the Brethren.
- Juniata College – Pennsylvania liberal arts college historically affiliated with Brethren Church.
- University of La Verne – California university with Church of the Brethren heritage.
- Bethany Theological Seminary – Prepare ministers and leaders for the Church of the Brethren.
- Brethren Press – Publishes curriculum and materials for the Church of the Brethren.
These institutions help promote Brethren values and train leadership while also serving the wider community.
Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations
The Brethren Church participates in ecumenical and interfaith organizations including:
- National Council of Churches
- World Council of Churches
- Christian Churches Together – Christian ecumenical organization
- Shoulder to Shoulder – interfaith campaign against anti-Muslim sentiment
- Historic Peace Churches – cooperation with Quakers and Mennonites
- Interfaith Partnerships – local and national interfaith efforts
This reflects the Brethren commitment to unity among Christians as well as openness to those of other faiths.
Relevant Issues
Some relevant contemporary issues and debates for the Brethren Church include:
- Declining membership – Loss of youth and inability to attract new ethnic groups.
- Relevance – Remaining relevant to younger generations and wider society.
- New technologies – Appropriate use of technologies like television, radio and Internet.
- Ecumenism – Cooperation with other Christians without compromising identity.
- Nonconformity vs. assimilation – Navigating relationship with wider culture and society.
- Social issues – Disagreement over issues like homosexuality, abortion, gender roles.
Finding balance between preserving heritage and adapting to changing society represents an ongoing challenge.
The Brethren Church Today
Today the Brethren Church remains small but vibrant. It continues to emphasize core beliefs like:
- Following Christ’s example in daily life
- Living simply and avoiding excess
- Pursuing unity, equality and community
- Service to others
- Peacemaking and nonviolent resolution of conflict
The Brethren accept diversity of thought but are tied together by common heritage and values. Congregations pursue local and global mission work guided by biblical principles rather than institutional hierarchy. This denomination perseveres by adapting its message to new settings while preserving its Anabaptist vision.
