Retracing the Blurred Boundaries of the Twentieth-Century ‘Amish Mennonite’ Identity
Mennonite Quarterly Review
Anderson, Cory. 2011.
85(3):361-412.
Can a New Layer of Leadership Save Sectarian Practice? A Decentralized Denomination’s Experiment with a Central Committee
Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies
Anderson, Cory. 2019.
7(1):54-99.
Research Points
- This in-depth case study of Beachy Amish-Mennonites—the Amish who from c. 1910-1965 chose evangelical theology and more convenience technologies such as automobiles—shows how competing factions within a sect advance claims to legitimacy and authority during organizational conflict. It traces the complex interplay of formal structures, informal power hierarchies, rhetorical strategies, symbols, and individual agency in attempts to codify group
identity standards. - By the early 1990s, socio-religious changes among were alarming some leaders. At the annual Beachy ministers’ meeting in 1991, several rousing sermons prompted the hosts and moderators to guide development of a committee of bishops charged with identifying areas of concern and developing a denomination-wide standard of practice.
- Across the next several years, the committee faced passive resistance from Beachy churches less concerned about changes and fearing loss of autonomy
- Eventually, the committee stopped pursuing a single holistic statement, started rotating members, and focused on addressing issues one by one, eventually passing rules against radio/TV (1999) and remarriage after divorce
- The passive resistance to a unified standard prompted some leaders to start new Amish- Mennonite denominations (Maranatha & Ambassadors) with separate ministers’ meetings and stricter standards. Meanwhile, the 2000s-era Beachy bishop committees focused more on advising than enforcing standards, with mixed success
Access Related Content From The Project: "Identities, Ideologies, and Institutions: The Perpetual Destabilization of Ethnic Sectarianism"
Congregation or Conference? The Development of Beachy Amish Polity and Identity
Mennonite Historical Bulletin
Anderson, Cory. 2011.
72(1):12-15.
The Amish-Mennonites of North America: A Portrait of Our People
Amish-Mennonite Heritage Series Vol. 1.
Anderson, Cory. 2012.
Who Are the Plain Anabaptists? What Are the Plain Anabaptists?
Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies
Anderson, Cory. 2013.
1(1):26-71.
An Evangelical Reorientation: The Contribution of Beachy Amish-Mennonite Mothers
Mothering Mennonite
Anderson, Cory. 2013.
Pp. 236-55
A Socio-Religious Introduction to the Apostolic Churches in North America
Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies
Anderson, Cory. 2018.
6(1):26-60.
Of Process, Practice, and Belief: What Can We Learn about Old Amish Church History and Polity from this Special Issue’s Source Documents
Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies
Anderson, Cory. 2019.
7(2):101-08.
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