Mennonite Outward Appearance Requirements For Men

[GoodGirl]

What other groups do they like to mingle with? New Conference, Old Conference, Old Brethren … ?

Do you know their history?

Hmmm… relying on memory, they started about 1940.
I’m honestly not sure why. I’m sure it was explained to me years ago & I just didn’t take it in. We’ve known them for quite awhile, back to when I was chasing my toddlers everywhere.

They mingle with other local Brethren churches:
Little Kutztown, Mummerts (Upper Conawago?), (the former) Marsh Creek, sometimes OORB…

The Keeny Group as a whole, recently joined individually (not as a group).

I’m sure there’s more, but I’m having a brain freeze.

I’d say more old conference than new, but the thing about Brethren (IME) is that they’re pretty much open.

It used to freak me out, but I feel like I ‘get it’ now.

[steve-in-kville]

What other groups do they like to mingle with? New Conference, Old Conference, Old Brethren … ?

Do you know their history?

Hmmm… relying on memory, they started about 1940.
I’m honestly not sure why. I’m sure it was explained to me years ago & I just didn’t take it in. We’ve known them for quite awhile, back to when I was chasing my toddlers everywhere.

They mingle with other local Brethren churches:
Little Kutztown, Mummerts (Upper Conawago?), (the former) Marsh Creek, sometimes OORB…

The Keeny Group as a whole, recently joined individually (not as a group).

I’m sure there’s more, but I’m having a brain freeze.

I’d say more old conference than new, but the thing about Brethren (IME) is that they’re pretty much open.

It used to freak me out, but I feel like I ‘get it’ now.

Add Millbach, Frystown, the Longencker house....

[GoodGirl]

Yes! How could I forget Frystown ?

[steve-in-kville]

Yes! How could I forget Frystown ?

I think back to how these groups got started, the folks that initiated many of them are long gone and the reasons for splitting are basically moot at this point.

Little Kutztown had a recent break away.

[GoodGirl]

Yes, they did. Didn’t the break off start an outreach church closer to a bigger town?

[Sudsy]

This all is an interesting read as I am only closely familiar with the Mennonite Brethren group in our city. Their practise of not be conformed to this world does not have anything to do with clothing. It may have at one time to some degree, I don't know the particulars, but I guess in the Anabaptist world they would today be viewed as 'liberal' quite the same as the United Mennonite and Evangelical Mennonite practise in our area. Is this correct ?

When I look at all the varied applications to being separate and/or different from the ways of the world, I keep thinking about what we know about Jesus, how He dressed and who He mingled with and wonder if He would approve today of some of these outward apparel practises to be separate from the world.

If clothes are important to reflecting our sanctification, then why do you suppose Jesus did not give us more direction on this ? He did mention that the Pharisees did things to their clothing to draw attention to themselves Matthew 23:5, however, I don't see where He instructed His disciples to adorn themselves in a special way in following Him. From what I read, the men that became His followers did not change their outward appearances to be seen as His follower.

If we are to follow His example regarding clothing and being separate from the world, don't you think we should go back to wearing the types of robes and sandals He wore and be mingling with sinners where they live ? Or would Jesus say what we read in Colossians 3:12 that we should focus to 'Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience' ?

Any thoughts on this ?

[steve-in-kville]

Yes, they did. Didn’t the break off start an outreach church closer to a bigger town?

Little Kutztown? I think they had an outreach going for some years and owned a building near Reading, I think. Not even sure what its called. I know the man who is running it, though.

[mike]

This all is an interesting read as I am only closely familiar with the Mennonite Brethren group in our city. Their practise of not be conformed to this world does not have anything to do with clothing. It may have at one time to some degree, I don't know the particulars, but I guess in the Anabaptist world they would today be viewed as 'liberal' quite the same as the United Mennonite and Evangelical Mennonite practise in our area. Is this correct ?

When I look at all the varied applications to being separate and/or different from the ways of the world, I keep thinking about what we know about Jesus, how He dressed and who He mingled with and wonder if He would approve today of some of these outward apparel practises to be separate from the world.

If clothes are important to reflecting our sanctification, then why do you suppose Jesus did not give us more direction on this ? He did mention that the Pharisees did things to their clothing to draw attention to themselves Matthew 23:5, however, I don't see where He instructed His disciples to adorn themselves in a special way in following Him. From what I read, the men that became His followers did not change their outward appearances to be seen as His follower.

If we are to follow His example regarding clothing and being separate from the world, don't you think we should go back to wearing the types of robes and sandals He wore and be mingling with sinners where they live ? Or would Jesus say what we read in Colossians 3:12 that we should focus to 'Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience' ?

Any thoughts on this ?

All of these questions are really quite familiar to modern conservative Mennonites, some of whom choose to leave the culture and embrace the traditions and norms of American society. Most, however, choose to maintain their culture and tradition to one degree or another for the reasons that many already stated in this thread, and question the wisdom of the sort of Christianity that does not appear to speak to practical living in many significant ways.

[Josh]

If clothes are important to reflecting our sanctification, then why do you suppose Jesus did not give us more direction on this ? He did mention that the Pharisees did things to their clothing to draw attention to themselves Matthew 23:5, however, I don't see where He instructed His disciples to adorn themselves in a special way in following Him. From what I read, the men that became His followers did not change their outward appearances to be seen as His follower.

I don't see anywhere Jesus taught his followers to make sure they conform to the latest American fashion trends, either.

[Sudsy]

If clothes are important to reflecting our sanctification, then why do you suppose Jesus did not give us more direction on this ? He did mention that the Pharisees did things to their clothing to draw attention to themselves Matthew 23:5, however, I don't see where He instructed His disciples to adorn themselves in a special way in following Him. From what I read, the men that became His followers did not change their outward appearances to be seen as His follower.

I don't see anywhere Jesus taught his followers to make sure they conform to the latest American fashion trends, either.

Also true. So then I would conclude that He wants us to be guided by the Holy Spirit in how we dress and not attempt to establish a dress requirement for everyone that choses to fellowship with us. Or do you think God is in support of each Christian church group having all these distinctions through what they call all being of one mind in that church group ? And what do you think is the impact on reaching the lost with all these different sanctification practises ?