Gender Roles

Christian ethics and theology with an Anabaptist perspective
Post Reply
Chiruso78
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 1:54 am
Affiliation: CMC

Gender Roles

Post by Chiruso78 »

I’m curious about gender roles; it sparked my interest after observing Holdeman Mennonites in my area. What are gender roles for conservative Mennonites? Not just Holdeman but others like them; The Holdeman seem to be patriarchal to some extend, are they like the old colony who hold very conservative views? I would ask but I’ts going of a awkward talk and they don’t seem to get a lot of visitors which makes me sort of an outsider of sorts. So I come here to u guys.
0 x
Soloist
Posts: 5494
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2016 4:49 pm
Affiliation: CM Seeker

Re: Gender Roles

Post by Soloist »

It seems to me that they value the verses talking about women being keepers of the house and that hold part at the very least. In other aspects, women are better generally at child raising and men are generally better at manual labor.
The Bible is also clear that the authority is on the husband and the wife is to be submitted. How that all works out depends in a lot on the couple from what I've seen. I know families were the wife knows nothing at all about the money but for the most part directs the food plans and things like that. I've also seen a mutual balancing of money and crazy control on food...
0 x
Soloist, but I hate singing alone
Soloist, but my wife posts with me
Soloist, but I believe in community
Soloist, but I want God in the pilot seat
Chiruso78
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 1:54 am
Affiliation: CMC

Re: Gender Roles

Post by Chiruso78 »

Are the Holdeman like that? I’m interested in Moderate Conservative churches
0 x
User avatar
Josh
Posts: 23823
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 6:23 pm
Location: 1000' ASL
Affiliation: The church of God

Re: Gender Roles

Post by Josh »

Hi,

I have attended a Holdeman church for the last year and usually visit / socialise with Holdeman churches or missions when I am away from home on business.

Holdemans are significantly less influenced by changes in modern society. So men and women in Holdeman circles are very comfortable with quite different gender roles.

In addition, Holdemans do not date prior to marriage at all and strongly discourage socialising one on one or in smaller groups between men and women. We believe this helps promote moral purity and prevent emotional entanglement with someone who will not end up being your spouse.

Other conservative Mennonites allow a bit more mixing and a bit more blurring of gender roles. If you are willing to share your approximate location, I would be glad to share a list of churches where you are and a brief description of what you can expect them to be like.
0 x
Wade
Posts: 2683
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2016 12:09 am
Affiliation: kingdom Christian

Re: Gender Roles

Post by Wade »

Chiruso78 wrote:I’m curious about gender roles; it sparked my interest after observing Holdeman Mennonites in my area. What are gender roles for conservative Mennonites? Not just Holdeman but others like them; The Holdeman seem to be patriarchal to some extend, are they like the old colony who hold very conservative views? I would ask but I’ts going of a awkward talk and they don’t seem to get a lot of visitors which makes me sort of an outsider of sorts. So I come here to u guys.
Maybe it was because it was the first Mennonite Church we visited or any church that teaches non-resistance plus biblical difference of responsibilities in genders, but going to a "Holdeman" church it was the first time I had ever felt like I was finally around "strong" men. Faithful to their wife's, loving, caring, and supportive, while caring the "work"load as their wife's carried the workload of being keepers at home.
The last time we visited a "Holdeman" church the family where we were invited over for dinner (lunch) the husband spent all his time prior to the meal working in the kitchen.
Afterward we went for a snack to an elderly couples home that the husband really wanted us to visit his wife since we had been across country for a couple years and hadn't seen them. She was quite ill and seemed bound to that wheelchair... Her husband had the home spotless(it is likely the church supported them too but nonetheless) and he was very good at making meals (he is known for his bean salad) and continually attending to his wife with such care. Since we got to know them a bit before (they weren't shy to come visit unannounced :) ) I feel very comfortable saying that this care likely very much continued more so when no body else was around.
Very encouraging people.
0 x
MaxPC
Posts: 9044
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2016 9:09 pm
Location: Former full time RVers
Affiliation: PlainRomanCatholic
Contact:

Re: Gender Roles

Post by MaxPC »

Wade wrote:
Chiruso78 wrote:I’m curious about gender roles; it sparked my interest after observing Holdeman Mennonites in my area. What are gender roles for conservative Mennonites? Not just Holdeman but others like them; The Holdeman seem to be patriarchal to some extend, are they like the old colony who hold very conservative views? I would ask but I’ts going of a awkward talk and they don’t seem to get a lot of visitors which makes me sort of an outsider of sorts. So I come here to u guys.
Maybe it was because it was the first Mennonite Church we visited or any church that teaches non-resistance plus biblical difference of responsibilities in genders, but going to a "Holdeman" church it was the first time I had ever felt like I was finally around "strong" men. Faithful to their wife's, loving, caring, and supportive, while caring the "work"load as their wife's carried the workload of being keepers at home.
The last time we visited a "Holdeman" church the family where we were invited over for dinner (lunch) the husband spent all his time prior to the meal working in the kitchen.
Afterward we went for a snack to an elderly couples home that the husband really wanted us to visit his wife since we had been across country for a couple years and hadn't seen them. She was quite ill and seemed bound to that wheelchair... Her husband had the home spotless(it is likely the church supported them too but nonetheless) and he was very good at making meals (he is known for his bean salad) and continually attending to his wife with such care. Since we got to know them a bit before (they weren't shy to come visit unannounced :) ) I feel very comfortable saying that this care likely very much continued more so when no body else was around.
Very encouraging people.
They sound like it. One of the gifts that Christians bestow on the world is this type of witness to marital fidelity. Hopefully others will also see and be encouraged in the dark and immoral society we find today.
0 x
Max (Plain Catholic)
Mt 24:35
Proverbs 18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding but only in revealing his own mind.
1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God
Post Reply