European Free-Church FamilyAmong the churches that trace their roots to the radical reformers are the
Mennonites, the Amish, the Brethren, the Quakers, and the Free Church Brethren.
These Churches historically arose from concern over the role of the state in
Christian life. The radical reformers who gave rise to them were concerned that
the more famous reformers didn�t go far enough. They distrusted normal secular
activity and were concerned about the purity of the Christian mission. The term
�free church� distinguishes them from religious groups established or supported
by government. They are seen rather as free associations of adult members. They also have been characterized as Anabaptists because of the position that
adults must be baptized only after coming to faith. Communion is limited to
those who have been correctly baptized as adults. To enforce church order and discipline they used �the ban� or �shunning� as a form of excommunication. That punishment includes not just prohibiting attendance at worship but in its most extreme form (Mennonite) all types of contact with the person being shunned are forbidden, including eating with or talking to the person. The ban included family members, even spouses or children. The Church is seen as a fellowship. It appoints its own leadership and then
accepts the leadership�s authority. These Churches developed a lay-oriented,
non-liturgical, non-creedal, Bible-oriented Church. Non-liturgical worship in
its extreme form can be seen in the classic Quaker service (where a meeting may
involve the congregation sitting the entire time in silence). The Bible is the prime document from which the Anabaptists derive their
belief and practice. Their method of Biblical interpretation is extremely
literal. Liturgical acts are viewed as ordinances, symbolic acts. Baptism is
seen as an initiation and the Lord�s Supper as a memorial. Footwashing is
practiced in some churches. Though all the European free Churches believe in adult Baptism, they have a
wide variety of methods. The Mennonites pour water on the person being baptized,
while the Church of the Brethren has triune immersion with the person entering
the water once for each Person of the Trinity. MENNONITES Menno Simons advocated the strict use of the ban as the only means to keep the Church free of corrupt sects. Over time Mennonites softened the practice. Ecclesiology and separation from the world are key issues for Mennonites.
They have a understanding of the meaning of �church� based on what they call the
�ecclesia,� defined as the called-out fellowship of believers in mission. The
tendency is to emphasize the local congregation and to build wider fellowships
based on a commonality of belief. Ministers (bishops) arise out of the
fellowship as do deacons. The methods for choosing them varies. Casting lots has
been a favorite method. THE AMISH Among the more liberal Swiss Mennonites of the late seventeenth century,
there arose a group led by Jacob Amman. Amman insisted upon a strict
interpretation of discipline. In his preaching, Amman stressed strict avoidance of anyone under the ban. He
also reintroduced footwashing. Non-religious customs of the period became
identifying marks of church members. That extended to not using buttons, wearing
distinctive hats, and wearing long beards and hair. The Amish have attempted to freeze a culture, that of the late seventeenth
century. As time has passed they have had to cope with an ever-greater
difference from the surrounding culture. That disparity, and disagreements as to
how far they should go in accommodating to it, has resulted in splits within the
Amish churches. THE BRETHREN The Brethren began in West Germany, influenced by the Mennonites. A central
issue was concern over the correct way to baptize. In their practice the
believer, on his knees in the water, is immersed three times in the name of the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Brethren continued a close contact with the
Mennonites. THE FRIENDS (QUAKERS) George Fox (1624-1691) had begun to preach in England in 1647 after
experiencing an inner illumination. The experiences of the inner light came as a
psychic-spiritual awakening. Fox was a powerful preacher and a charismatic
personality. A wide variety of phenomena seen as the gifts of the Spirit
appeared regularly throughout his ministry. He was an early prohibitionist and a preacher against holidays,
entertainment, and sports, saying that such activities directed man's thoughts
to vanity and looseness. He also advocated peace and was imprisoned for his
views. A group of followers formed and they organized a system of monthly,
quarterly, and yearly meetings. Their one doctrinal uniqueness was a belief in
the inner light. The Quakers believe that God continues revelation in continual
contact with each believer. Following that inner light leads to perfection. Dress was to be simple, and distinctive Quaker clothing developed. The
biblical use of �thy� and �thou� developed, but most have now stopped the
practice. The Quaker organization was built around monthly, quarterly and yearly
"meetings" for friends in a region. Quaker worship also took on an unusual form.
Without clergy, the Quakers would sit in silence and wait for the Spirit to
move. Often, no word would be spoken. Through the years under the influence of other churches, especially the
Holiness Churches, those worship patterns began to replace the Quaker meeting. A
more programmed worship with a minister preaching developed. At present Quakers
divide themselves into �unprogrammed� or �programmed� groups. Quakers were leaders in social justice, especially on the issue of slavery,
objection to war, and the equal status of women. The Baptism issue, a matter of
intense Anabaptist interest, was solved by dropping water Baptism entirely.
Quakers hold that the one Baptism is the inward Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Doctrinally, Quakers profess a belief in the fatherhood of God, Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit, salvation by faith, and the priesthood of believers. Quakers oppose the use of creeds. Page was last updated on 08/14/00 |
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