The Plain People: A primer

The Plain People belong to a wider “Anabaptist” family of churches, which emerged early in the Protestant Reformation in the early 1500s in Central Europe.

Anabaptists believed that a true biblical church had to follow radical demands of the gospel, including nonviolence, unconditional forgiveness, church discipline and a refusal to bear arms or swear oaths.

Early Anabaptists suffered persecution and martyrdom under Catholic and Protestant rulers in Europe because they rejected infant baptism and its connection to citizenship. They opposed state churches and said only those old enough to profess faith should be baptized. Under a “two kingdom” theology, believers were to obey the law but not participate in government (the worldly kingdom), focusing instead on the kingdom of God.

Critics derided them as “Anabaptists,” meaning they “rebaptized” adults. In time, Anabaptists embraced the name, even though they said they weren’t “rebaptizing” anybody because their original infant “baptism” was invalid.

Early leaders included Menno Simons, namesake of the Mennonites.

The Amish split from the Mennonites in the late 17th century. Jakob Amman, namesake of the Amish, led those who believed a wayward member should be socially shunned, not just denied communion. Current practices vary.

Despite their differences, Amish and Mennonites often cooperated. Beginning in the 18th century, they immigrated to the same fertile lands of Pennsylvania, Ohio and elsewhere.

Culture

As much an ethnic as a religious group, their traditionalist groups preserve German dialect and a separate culture.

The Plain People limit formal education and typically live in rural areas, farming or working in trades. They dress in distinctive plain clothing with women in head coverings, a symbol of submission to God and male authority.

Plain churches are run by lay leaders without seminary training. Transgressors can be excommunicated or put on probation-like “proving,” then restored to fellowship if they repent.

Many but not all children join the church in their teens and are baptized.

Amish and Plain Mennonites have many small, self-governing conferences with varied practices and Bible interpretations. Unlike with the Vatican or other hierarchies, there’s no one headquarters that sets policies in matters such as sexual abuse.

Technology

Most Amish and Old Order Mennonites use horse-and-buggy transportation. But they do not oppose all technology. They choose or reject innovations based on whether they build or harm a tight-knit community life.

Plain or not?

Virtually all Amish are Plain People by definition.

Mennonites vary widely, from Old Order and other Plain churches to non-Plain denominations like the Lancaster Conference and the Mennonite Church (USA), whose members are more assimilated and wear contemporary clothing.

Growth

Amish and conservative Mennonites typically marry young and have many children.

The Amish population in North America, now estimated at 330,000, has doubled over the past two decades. Amish are concentrated in Lancaster County and other Central Pennsylvania counties, in northeastern Ohio and in northern Indiana, though they have spread to 31 states and Canada.

Estimates of Plain Mennonites vary depending on how they’re defined, but an analysis of two directories indicates as many as 85,000 in North America.

Other Anabaptists

Hutterites are Plain People known for large communal farms in western states and Canada. Brethren groups are more socially assimilated.

Nonviolence

Plain churches speak of “nonresistance” to violence, whereas more progressive Mennonites and Brethren take an active peacemaking role.

Not Baptists

Anabaptists may have influenced the later rise of Baptists, but the two remain distinct.