Categorizing the Brethren

[Judas Maccabeus]

Grace Brethren are generally not considered Anabaptist but rather a Reformed group.

There probably isn’t much anabaptism at work there today, but inasmuch as they were a split from the Brethren Church who themselves were in an earlier, 3-way split with the COB and the Old German Baptist Brethren. I think it would be fair to rank them on their “brethren-ness” today……and clearly they’d be the least Brethren of them all.

And the Grace Brethren have further split, into Charis (The “less” Anabaptist”). And the Conservative Grace Brethren which still retain many of the Anabaptist distinctives. John Whitcomb, of creationist fame, was part of the conservative group. So were a number of my professors in Grad School, Grace Seminary in Winnonia Lake was their primary school.

[Judas Maccabeus]

One of the churches I spoke in, will on missionary deputation in the 90s was Bible Brethern. It did not appear noticeably plain. It was the 90s, so my memory might be defective.

Where do they fit into things?

[the-real-steve]

One of the churches I spoke in, will on missionary deputation in the 90s was Bible Brethern. It did not appear noticeably plain. It was the 90s, so my memory might be defective.

Where do they fit into things?

The Bible Brethren I'm aware of are more conservative than the Dunkard Brethren, but I'm not sure if they still exist. I kind of remember they came close to being absolved into other groups. I'd have to check to be sure, though.

[Judas Maccabeus]

One of the churches I spoke in, will on missionary deputation in the 90s was Bible Brethern. It did not appear noticeably plain. It was the 90s, so my memory might be defective.

Where do they fit into things?

The Bible Brethren I'm aware of are more conservative than the Dunkard Brethren, but I'm not sure if they still exist. I kind of remember they came close to being absolved into other groups. I'd have to check to be sure, though.

This church was in Hagerstown, MD area if it is helpful.

[Heirbyadoption]

One of the churches I spoke in, will on missionary deputation in the 90s was Bible Brethren. It did not appear noticeably plain. It was the 90s, so my memory might be defective.Where do they fit into things?

The Bible Brethren I'm aware of are more conservative than the Dunkard Brethren, but I'm not sure if they still exist. I kind of remember they came close to being absolved into other groups. I'd have to check to be sure, though.

This church was in Hagerstown, MD area if it is helpful.

The Hagerstown church is still there on the corner of Wesel & Burhans. I wasn't aware they had actual "Brethren" roots, but i do know they engage in footwashing. I'll have to check into that a little more. Harold Burkholder might be able to shed a little light there too, as he has interacted with their pastor some...

[Heirbyadoption]

Does anybody know where I can find the brethren chart of schisms, that I think was produced by Frank Reed?

Perhaps from Frank? The Brethren Heritage Center out in Brookville OH could probably get you a good copy, although I'm not sure it's the one Frank put up, or whether it would have every small splinter group...

[the-real-steve]

The Bible Brethren I was referring to are still very much alive. According to my SIL, they almost died off about 20 years ago but have seen a lot of growth since then. The men often wear suspenders and the women often have triangle-shaped capes on their dresses. Head coverings are solid "cap" style and the string are often tied under the chin. Like I said, they were a step more conservative than the Dunkard church at the time.

Not sure what their leadership structure is like, but I would imagine it's not far from the typical Brethren way.