Classifying Anabaptists

[JohnL]

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Church of God in Christ Mennonite (Holdeman Mennonites) allow for divorce and remarriage prior to faith in Christ and/or joining the church. Apostolic Anabaptists take a similar position. Reformed Mennonites (now nearly extinct) take a similar position I believe.

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My second group identity difficulty involves the head covering frequency and style. Which identity is assigned to those Anabaptists who (1) do not cover.

These would be Theological Conservatives and Mainstream/Mainline Anabaptists

(2) cover only during public worship services

This is only a very small segment of Anabaptists... Some Apostolic Anabaptists, some Progressive (Fundamental) Conservatives, etc.
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This document may be helpful.
https://towardthebetter.org/wp-content/ ... e-2022.pdf

Ernie, your answers are very helpful and easy to understand. I have a question for you. You mentioned Apostolic Anabaptists a few times in your response to Mayberry. Who are they or what are they? I'm guessing they're not Mennonite or Amish?

[ohio jones]

You mentioned Apostolic Anabaptists a few times in your response to Mayberry. Who are they or what are they? I'm guessing they're not Mennonite or Amish?

Perhaps the imprecision in the name confused you, but it's this group:

They go (roughly) by the name of Apostolic Christian Church in America, Nazarenes in Eastern Europe and Gemeinschaft Evangelisch Taufgesinnter / Evangelische Täufergemeinden in Western Europe.

[Heirbyadoption]

Some Old Order Mennonites drive cars such as Weaverland Conference, Ohio-Indiana Wislers, Markham-Waterloo, Old German Baptist Brethren - Main Group, Old German Baptist Brethren -New Group (which is more conservative/old order than the main group)

Just a quick clarification if it helps your list any, Ernie, the new OGBB group you referenced (I assume you mean the ones who pulled out in 2020?) formally self-identify as the Old German Baptist Church. They took "Brethren" out of the name in the typical attempt to be more "original" than those they separated from. Among the other OGBB groups that they have much connection with (OC, NC, etc), they tend to be referred to as G3 (Group 3) or "Baptists" (since they pulled Brethren out of their name).

[Ernie]

Some Old Order Mennonites drive cars such as Weaverland Conference, Ohio-Indiana Wislers, Markham-Waterloo, Old German Baptist Brethren - Main Group, Old German Baptist Brethren -New Group (which is more conservative/old order than the main group)

Just a quick clarification if it helps your list any, Ernie, the new OGBB group you referenced (I assume you mean the ones who pulled out in 2020?) formally self-identify as the Old German Baptist Church. They took "Brethren" out of the name in the typical attempt to be more "original" than those they separated from. Among the other OGBB groups that they have much connection with (OC, NC, etc), they tend to be referred to as G3 (Group 3) or "Baptists" (since they pulled Brethren out of their name).

Thanks. I am glad for this sort of contribution. Is the "Baptists" term a slight dig or is it all in Christian charity?

I find what you wrote to be as interesting/fascinating as a Brethren person trying to figure out why Mennonites are willing to pay $700 for a history book.
Or maybe this is not a good comparison... Anyhow, I like the insider's perspectives.

[JohnL]

Anyhow, I like the insider's perspectives.

I do too. Thank you, Ernie and Heirbyadoption.

[Heirbyadoption]

Thanks. I am glad for this sort of contribution. Is the "Baptists" term a slight dig or is it all in Christian charity?

Perhaps both... With the copious quanity of variations on the OGBB name over the years due to splits, exoduses, and expulsions, it can get a bit cumberson to use their proper name and yet it also seems equally trite to refer to groups as G1, G2, G3 (G3 is the reference that typically gets used out West, but they aren't surrounded by the many different Brethren variations as much as us folks in the East)...

They don't have an established nickname yet like the Petitioners (Old Order German Baptist Brethren) or the Deer Creekers / Leedyites (Old Brethren German Baptist Brethren) or Eldon Flory's Group (GBBChurch) or Old Conference (OGBBC) or New Conference (OGBBC-NC) or the Petition 1 and Petition 2 (aka Salida Brethren) groups of the Old Brethren, etc, etc, etc. They do occasionally get referred to as the Flaming Swords (a gentle jab in reference to their extremely strong opposition to the "Private Garden" third party system that Old Conference uses). Referring to them as Baptists (amongst ourselves, particularly here in PA which is one of their largest areas) has generally been perhaps the least confusing and vitriolic option, though it is to be admitted that nobody usually prefers the nicknames their group winds up with from others.

And I should clarify, since their exodus in 2020, the new group (G3, Baptists, etc) actually tend to be friendlier to us OGBBC-NC here in the PA motherland than many of the OGBBC-OCs do (though to be fair, a few of the OCs have also stayed brotherly throughout). Gotta love the ever-changing dynamics of Plain groups with each split.

[Ernie]

And I should clarify, since their exodus in 2020, the new group (G3, Baptists, etc) actually tend to be friendlier to us OGBBC-NC here in the PA motherland than many of the OGBBC-OCs do (though to be fair, a few of the OCs have also stayed brotherly throughout). Gotta love the ever-changing dynamics of Plain groups with each split.

Thanks for the update.

A NC friend of mine lost his friendship with a OC man years ago whenever NC started. But the OC man became G3, and the two become old friends again. Even though the G3 was pulling in an opposite direction of the NC, when they left, the G3 man told the NC man that he now understands the reasons for why the NC pulled out. And he went on to say that the G3 left for basically the same reason as that of the NC leaders.

[JohnH]

Could you go over Group 1 / 2 / 3 and what their distinctives are?