Pilgrim, Eastern PA and Holdeman Mennonites

[JohnL]

I appreciate all y'all's patience while I try to understand this Anabaptist landscape. I've noticed some of the affiliations of forum members and I'm curious - in a good way.

Can you tell me more about the Pilgrim Mennonites? The Eastern PA Mennonites? The Holdeman Mennonites? I'll stop there so this thread doesn't end up overwhelming my post holiday brain.

[Praxis+Theodicy]

I'd suggest the resources Ernie has put into the first page of this post:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=147

Particularly the PDF pamphlet "Overview of the Plain People". It is immensely helpful.
That document is used as a primary resource for this video:

Pilgrim Conference is listed in the document, and Holdemans might be mentioned briefly in the very end. Holdemans are a fairly standalone group compared to the others. Josh on this forum will be able to help you if you direct your question to him directly.

Here is a video about the Pilgrim Mennonite Conference:

[cmbl]

What Praxis+Theodicy posted above is helpful, especially Ernie's "Overview of the Plain People."

Eastern is an Ultra-Conservative church and Pilgrim Conference an Intermediate-Conservative church that broke away from Eastern in the 1990s. Many present-day Pilgrim members come from Eastern (or other Ultra-Conservative churches).

Theology is very similar between these two groups. Eastern would be more traditionally "plain"/conservative/stricter standards in a variety of areas.

[cmbl]

To expand on the above, both Eastern and Pilgrim are Conservative Mennonite churches with roots in Lancaster Conference. They would hold to doctrines such as nonresistance, non-participation in government (no voting, no jury duty), non-swearing of oaths, separation from/nonconformity to the world, etc. These groups accepted the influence of Fundamentalism in the early 20th century, which brought with it such practices as midweek prayer meetings, revival meetings, missions, and such doctrines as assurance of salvation and a modified form of dispensational premillenialism; all of which practices and doctrines separate Conservative Mennonite groups from Old Order Mennonites.

Some differences in practice/lifestyle:
- Wearing of black hats (for men) and bonnets (for women) is common among the more traditional/conservative Easterns and basically unknown in Pilgrim
- There are differences in dress styles between the two groups, though ladies in both wear cape dresses.
- Internet (with filtering/accountability software) is officially allowed in Pilgrim; the situation in Eastern is less clear: it is allowed for business use - I think one of the bishop districts doesn't have it; others who wanted "no internet" withdrew from Eastern to form Appalachian Mountain Mennonite Church.
- Smartphones are allowed and very common in Pilgrim, against the rules in Eastern.

[WonderingSoul]

Here is some information about the Holdeman Mennonites:
https://churchofgodinchristmennonite.net/beliefs/
https://churchofgodinchristmennonite.net/who-we-are/
There are congregations throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The best way to learn more would be to attend a Sunday service, visitors are always welcome.

[JohnL]

This information is helpful. Thank you.

[the-real-steve]

I think Hope would have broken away from EPMC in the early 80's.

[JayP]

Hope is, also, a small breakaway from Eastern (Epmc). It is interesting to note that of the 5 LMC bishops that founded Eastern, 2 or 3 were involved in later splits. Note, I knew some of them and I am in no way taking a shot. It is more a commentary on Anabaptist Sickness than pointing fingers.

It is interesting to note that a view of Pilgrim varies based on WHEN the person you are speaking to was involved with Pilgrim folks. Talk to someone who knew them in say 1997 or 2005 and they see little difference from Eastern. I am not sure (and say not sure because I am not close to anyone today) that this is true today. The creation of Northeastn (from both Eastern and Pilgrim) seems to me closer to what Pilgrimwas when founded.

It is Terri le how time goes by and you forget (will blurs is more accurate)

Someone help me out. Eshbach (who was my bishop) and Isaac Sensenig died in Eastern. Sidney Went with Pilgrim and died there.
Bomberger founded Hope or MidAtlantic I thin when Eastern opted to eliminate the radio. Who is the fifth I am forgetting?

[ken_sylvania]

Hope is, also, a small breakaway from Eastern (Epmc). It is interesting to note that of the 5 LMC bishops that founded Eastern, 2 or 3 were involved in later splits. Note, I knew some of them and I am in no way taking a shot. It is more a commentary on Anabaptist Sickness than pointing fingers.

It is interesting to note that a view of Pilgrim varies based on WHEN the person you are speaking to was involved with Pilgrim folks. Talk to someone who knew them in say 1997 or 2005 and they see little difference from Eastern. I am not sure (and say not sure because I am not close to anyone today) that this is true today. The creation of Northeastn (from both Eastern and Pilgrim) seems to me closer to what Pilgrimwas when founded.

It is Terri le how time goes by and you forget (will blurs is more accurate)

Someone help me out. Eshbach (who was my bishop) and Isaac Sensenig died in Eastern. Sidney Went with Pilgrim and died there.
Bomberger founded Hope or MidAtlantic I thin when Eastern opted to eliminate the radio. Who is the fifth I am forgetting?

Simon Bucher perhaps?

[mike]

I think Hope would have broken away from EPMC in the early 80's.

Correct. It's a smaller conference with 10 churches all in PA, so not really that significant in the larger picture.