Transitional Anabaptist churches

[Ken]

If it is as you describe and so many people are leaving more conservative churches to join "transitional" Anabaptist churches then the logical question to ask is: What is it that they are not getting from their original congregations, or what is it that they find missing in their original more conservative churches?

Is it just about the trappings of conservative Anabaptism like dress, head coverings, etc.? Or is it something more theological or spiritual?

[justme]

If it is as you describe and so many people are leaving more conservative churches to join "transitional" Anabaptist churches then the logical question to ask is: What is it that they are not getting from their original congregations, or what is it that they find missing in their original more conservative churches?

Is it just about the trappings of conservative Anabaptism like dress, head coverings, etc.? Or is it something more theological or spiritual?

i think this is a very valid question and needs to be addressed.
what is the reason people are moving from more conservative to transitional and then on to the next group?

[Josh]

That’s a very good question.

Most people who are Amish, ultra conservative group, Holdeman, etc. sort of group seem content to stay that way.

Transitional Anabaptism concerns itself with very small fraction of people who don’t want to stay that way, yet also seem to want to transition “slowly”. They want to retain most of being Amish or Eastern or whatever. Why people are like this is a very interesting question.

[Ernie]

I've never heard of such a gathering. Have you?

I'm not aware of Pilgrimites (Intermediate) having youth rallies with Keystoners. (Moderate/Progressive)

I attended such a rally that had a rather unique preacher from Jamaica. He is somewhat famous in RNoC circles. At some point (when he was in the world) he owned some hotels, I can’t remember much else about him.

https://amandala.com.bz/news/renowned-e ... it-belize/
https://www.gospelpublishers.com/usa/pr ... -redeemed/

Oh yes, I know Ludlow. He had dual membership I believe with both a Beachy and RNoC church. He was happy to wear a straight cut suit the last I knew him.
A Life Redeemed is a worthwhile read.

[Ernie]

Most people who are Amish, ultra conservative group, Holdeman, etc. sort of group seem content to stay that way.

Most are content, but a sizeable percentage of Amish and Ultra's leave. For example, there are years whenever the Washington/Franklin conference has had little to know growth in membership, despite baptizing 50-60 people that year. In order to maintain numbers, you need to baptize as many as what die or leave the church.

The Eastern PA Menn. Churches are typically growing steadily in numbers, despite some people leaving for Northeastern, Pilgrim, Hope, etc. until a group of churches split off to form a new conference. It is very rare for a lone congregation to leave Eastern. (Which points to their ingrained conference mindset.)
In Nationwide Fellowship, individuals will leave and sometimes churches will leave, but rarely do groups of churches leave. (Which points to their congregational mindset.)

[Ernie]

i think this is a very valid question and needs to be addressed.
what is the reason people are moving from more conservative to transitional and then on to the next group?

I think this trend is as old as the Christian church but particularly common since the Reformation. The Reformation (with its emphasis on scripture and not human traditions and each man answering directly to God) has set the stage for everyone to be his own priest. People simply leave and join a church that seems to look at life similarly to the way they themselves do. When they discover that the new church doesn't view life the way they do, or when they change their view of life, then it is time to find another church.

[mike]

i think this is a very valid question and needs to be addressed.
what is the reason people are moving from more conservative to transitional and then on to the next group?

I think this trend is as old as the Christian church but particularly common since the Reformation. The Reformation (with its emphasis on scripture and not human traditions and each man answering directly to God) has set the stage for everyone to be his own priest. People simply leave and join a church that seems to look at life similarly to the way they themselves do. When they discover that the new church doesn't view life the way they do, or when they change their view of life, then it is time to find another church.

On the bright side, the west at least has moved away from wars of religion where major Christian denominations were killing each other because of faith/politics. I think we would all view this as a positive development.

[GaryK]

I attended such a rally that had a rather unique preacher from Jamaica. He is somewhat famous in RNoC circles. At some point (when he was in the world) he owned some hotels, I can’t remember much else about him.

https://amandala.com.bz/news/renowned-e ... it-belize/
https://www.gospelpublishers.com/usa/pr ... -redeemed/

Oh yes, I know Ludlow. He had dual membership I believe with both a Beachy and RNoC church. He was happy to wear a straight cut suit the last I knew him.
A Life Redeemed is a worthwhile read.

I had a memorable time with Ludlow in 1988 when we lived in Belize and he visited our mission and preached at the local Mennonite church. He and I went to what was left of his former hotel site just down the road from Hattieville and I remember him praying over that plot of land, that it would never again be used for the devil's work. His testimony of conversion is worth reading.

[joshuabgood]

- A Pilgrim/Keystone youth rally would have a (plain) CMC/RNoC preacher as a guest speaker.

I've never heard of such a gathering. Have you?

I'm not aware of Pilgrimites (Intermediate) having youth rallies with Keystoners. (Moderate/Progressive)

Sold Out w R Rhodes brings out some ofboth. And also OOs.

[cmbl]

Is Eastern transitional?
Is the Pennsylvania old order car church (I think it's Weaverland) transitional?