Growing Up Mennonite

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

WOW... They don't cut you any slack 'cause you're a movie star do they.

[Sept5SavedTeen]

It's interesting to see this thread back up and whatnot, from a few recent posts.

I've been enjoying some good Mennonite music, from the Mountain Anthem singers, their songs are all in English, and lately I've been on beachyam.org (it seems I get on an Anabaptist website tangent from time to time)...

Anyways, I don't know if this has been asked before or not, or perhaps there is something you could point me to to answer my question-

Brother Hoover, Can you explain the Old Order Mennonites difference from the Old Order Amish? These Old Order Mennonites seem more consevative than some Amish people I know, like the Beachy Amish, but then more conservative than any kind of Mennonite I can think of, whether it be Holdeman or Conservative Mennonite. Therefore, I am wondering where the Old Order Mennonites fit into all of this. Is it shunning that keeps them from being Amish? Do all Amish shun, but no Mennonites shun? Is there some other criteria that separates them? Do Old Order Mennonites have meetinghouses?

-Bro. Alex

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

It's interesting to see this thread back up and whatnot, from a few recent posts.

I've been enjoying some good Mennonite music, from the Mountain Anthem singers, their songs are all in English, and lately I've been on beachyam.org (it seems I get on an Anabaptist website tangent from time to time)...

Anyways, I don't know if this has been asked before or not, or perhaps there is something you could point me to to answer my question-

Brother Hoover, Can you explain the Old Order Mennonites difference from the Old Order Amish? These Old Order Mennonites seem more consevative than some Amish people I know, like the Beachy Amish, but then more conservative than any kind of Mennonite I can think of, whether it be Holdeman or Conservative Mennonite. Therefore, I am wondering where the Old Order Mennonites fit into all of this. Is it shunning that keeps them from being Amish? Do all Amish shun, but no Mennonites shun? Is there some other criteria that separates them? Do Old Order Mennonites have meetinghouses?

-Bro. Alex

Well Jacob Ammon was a Mennonite Bishop that broke away. The original issues were his desire to maintain strict church discipline. This included shunning which is a form social exclusion for those who find themselves excommunicated.
Today, almost all Amish shun, while most Mennonites do not. (the Holderman group I know does though)

Old Order Mennonites (and I mean "Horse & and Buggy" OOM) do have meeting houses. Many OOM do not have beards while most all Amish groups are required to wear them. Also, OOM embrace a bit more technology than the OOA. We had phones and electricity for major appliances. No electronics, cameras, radio, TV though. And distinctive dress - similar to Amish.

[Sherri]

Just curious, Bro. Hoovie -
Was it very emotionally hard on your parents/siblings when you chose not to live as OOM? Just wondering if they go through the same types of emotions as families who have someone leave UPC or a similar group? I've seen families that pretty much "shunned" those who left, much like the Amish. Thank the Lord my family didn't do that at all.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Just curious, Bro. Hoovie -
Was it very emotionally hard on your parents/siblings when you chose not to live as OOM? Just wondering if they go through the same types of emotions as families who have someone leave UPC or a similar group? I've seen families that pretty much "shunned" those who left, much like the Amish. Thank the Lord my family didn't do that at all.

Yes. Very hard. I was too young to make the decision when I did (16). And If I had it to do over again I would wait till 18.

I really think most, or at least many, families are somewhat hurt and offended if the offspring don't choose the path they did.

That, I think is normal and not exclusive to UPC types, but rather speaks of what happens when strongly held beliefs are spurned by a new generation.

With the Amish it is a very special case though... speaking (more than necessity) eating or doing business with an excommunicated member puts you, yourself at risk of excommunication.

[Sept5SavedTeen]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Yes. Very hard. I was too young to make the decision when I did (16). And If I had it to do over again I would wait till 18.

I really think most, or at least many, families are somewhat hurt and offended if the offspring don't choose the path they did.

That, I think is normal and not exclusive to UPC types, but rather speaks of what happens when strongly held beliefs are spurned by a new generation.

With the Amish it is a very special case though... speaking (more than necessity) eating or doing business with an excommunicated member puts you, yourself at risk of excommunication.

Excommunication sounds like a biblical principle to me, and my sister and I have a "Mutually Assured Excommunication" agreement. But anyways, the Mennonites (with the exception of the Holdemans) don't excommunicate at all? Do they look at the Amish as being too harsh for excommunicating? Are you able to go to your parents like the rest of your siblings who are OOM (assuming they are all OOM)?

-Bro. Alex

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

Excommunication sounds like a biblical principle to me, and my sister and I have a "Mutually Assured Excommunication" agreement. But anyways, the Mennonites (with the exception of the Holdemans) don't excommunicate at all? Do they look at the Amish as being too harsh for excommunicating? Are you able to go to your parents like the rest of your siblings who are OOM (assuming they are all OOM)?

-Bro. Alex

I am not opposed to church discipline and closed communion.

No they don't.. at least not officially - see my post to Sherri.

Yes I am welcome to partake in family functions as the ones who have not left the OOM. About half have now left - but I was the first. In spite of my departure I have a good reputation (I think) in the community, and they know I am a conservative and conscientious Christian. In fact Just yesterday I signed a contract to reline a chimney for one of the Elders who had a flue fire last week.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

I am not opposed to church discipline and closed communion.

No they don't.. at least not officially - see my post to Sherri.

Yes I am welcome to partake in family functions as the ones who have not left the OOM. About half have now left - but I was the first. In spite of my departure I have a good reputation (I think) in the community, and they know I am a conservative and conscientious Christian. In fact Just yesterday I signed a contract to reline a chimney for one of the Elders who had a flue fire last week.

God & Time are quite a healing concoction.

I am pleased that you & your family have been able to move beyond the hurts and confusion of one taking a different path in life. It is a confusing and hurtful time that seems, at the time, like it will never pass There have been similar issues in my family and, given the opportunity to do it all over again, I would do a few things different. Hindsight is, indeed, 20/20. I will still take this path... but I could have made a few better decisions.

But I have handled myself with as much respect as I could and we have all moved to a place of respect for one another and that is good.

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

God & Time are quite a healing concoction.

I am pleased that you & your family have been able to move beyond the hurts and confusion of one taking a different path in life. It is a confusing and hurtful time that seems, at the time, like it will never pass There have been similar issues in my family and, given the opportunity to do it all over again, I would do a few things different. Hindsight is, indeed, 20/20. I will still take this path... but I could have made a few better decisions.

But I have handled myself with as much respect as I could and we have all moved to a place of respect for one another and that is good.

Same here; we have agreed to disagree, but amicably. I have been blessed with a family of MANY preachers, some in UPC some out. Everyone seems to get along pretty well. Except for maybe one hard headed knucklehead. LOL!n And thank God, that's not immediate family!

[ILG]

My Mother is Catholic and my Dad doesn't attend church. Us kids went with my Mom every Sunday growing up. It was very hard when my husband and I became UPC. I think anytime a person goes outside what their parents raised them as, it causes family friction. My parents and siblings are very happy we left.