Beachy Amish-Mennonites originated from 1928 to 1940s as Old Order Amish splinter congregations permitting automobile ownership began fellowshipping.

Beachys maintained congregational autonomy like Old Orders but developed more bureaucracy through committees, beginning with the Amish-Mennonite Aid relief program in 1955.

In the 1960s, annual ministers’ meetings became a forum for leaders to share thoughts and preach sermons.

The 1991 annual meeting raised concerns about laxness in religious practices; a committee formed to address issues. A draft statement was produced on belief, faith and practice but faced resistance.

The committee attempted to get consensus issue-by-issue, but adoption was still difficult, suggesting competing tensions between desire for unity across churches and congregational independence.