1. Are you Amish?
Because of our plain dress, horses, and buggies, most people assume we are Amish. But there are also many Old Order Mennonite communities throughout the United States and Canada. Customs vary from one group to another. Old Order Mennonites drive horses and buggies, and also dress and live according to the guidelines of their communities.
2. What is the difference between Amish and Old Order Mennonites?
In the way we interpret the Bible, not so much. We both believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, that all people are guilty before God and need to repent of and forsake sin and obey God’s Word. As far as I’m aware, all groups agree that baptism should happen upon one’s confession of faith, and that nonconformity to the world and nonresistance are important, to name a few distinctives we have in common.
In the way we live and dress, the differences are a great deal more varied. The simplest way I’ve found to explain to someone how to tell the difference is that most Amish men have a beard while most Mennonite men are clean-shaven, but that depends on the community. Among women, the fabric of Amish ladies’ dresses is one solid color while many Mennonite ladies wear dresses made of patterned fabric.
3. What does that white cap on your head mean?
It is a prayer covering. We believe 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 explains that women should wear a covering while praying, and since we are told to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), we wear one all the time, except when we sleep at night; then we wear a small kerchief.
4. Do any Mennonites or Amish believe plain clothes will take them to heaven?
No. Jesus’ blood, his forgiveness, and his love is what will open the door to heaven for all his people. All the plain churches I know of teach the new birth; faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God; love for God and fellow humans; and obedience to God’s commandments as the way to heaven.
Some books I’ve read do portray the plain people as believing their conservative way of living is how they will enter heaven. I have never met any Amish or Mennonite person who actually believed that. As far as I know, our conservative dress code is for modesty, nonconformity, to show our church affiliation, and to dress in a way which “becometh [people] professing godliness” (1 Timothy 2:10).
5. Isn’t it hard to live as you do?
Hard is relative, and I don’t consider my way of life difficult. If I ever find a certain point difficult, it usually stems from my own attitude and not my way of life at all. There’s joy in submitting to God’s plan for my life! I can honestly say I have never seen anything in modern society for which I would willingly trade what I have. My life revolves around faith in God and love for him, my church, and my family. None of us are perfect; we need God’s forgiveness as much as anyone else. But there’s a strong center to my life as part of a Christian community, and I would have it no other way.