My time with the Plain People

Plain Anabaptists are those of the Anabaptist Faith that have kept with a certain lifestyle that is conservative in nature. They feel this lifestyle helps them have a closer relationship with God and also prevents them from getting distracted by the sins of the modern world. Most people of these faiths are born into them, but there are some converts. Plain church congregations can be found in the denominations of Amish, Brethren, Hutterite, & Mennonite. 

I attended the Belen Mennonite Church, a church that has stayed committed to a conservative lifestyle and an unwavering devotion to God. Their service was at 10am and open to the public. 

Before I attended, I studied about Plain churches and what to expect from a great Anabaptist Faith Resource Site. I read about what I should wear. Even though I wore my hair up and a conservative blouse, skirt, tights and flats - I was still an obvious anomaly. 

In the church, the women are on the left and the men are on the right, young women sit at the front of their section. The only deviation I saw was with small children, they were sitting with a parent on both sides. I noticed the only jewelry they wore were watches, not even wedding rings. Women do not speak during church, other than to sing. All people wear plain garb, the men wear button up shirts and plain coats and women wear the same cut of dress of plain or small print colored fabric. The boys do not wear the plain coats until they are baptized and take the commitment of the Conservative Mennonite Faith, the men I saw were clean-shaven. The girls wear their hair in braids until they are baptized and then they wear a white head covering. 

They started the service with several hymns sung a cappella and many songs were sung throughout the service. Then gentlemen read biblical passages and led the group in prayer. The congregation prayed by turning around to face the pew and kneeling down.  The children then left the service for their Sunday school. A moderator led the adults in a bible lesson from a Conservative Mennonite study guide published quarterly for congregations. The men took turns reading the bible passages and answering questions posed by the bible study guide.

SIMPLY SAY YES TO GOD'S OFFER

The children returned and there was a sermon given by a man who I believe was a bishop, but I am not sure of his title. The title of the sermon was, "Why We Stay Conservative," He spoke of how difficult it is to stay true to the conservative values in a land "saturated with consumerism." He spoke of how easy it is to justify, the idea of letting go of some of the traditional ways; but he warned of allowing such errors creep into your lives. He spoke of families that had fallen away and the results of their decisions. Jude 1:8-11 He also spoke of the pitfall of focusing on the conservative lifestyle itself, more than focusing on keeping the "Spirit of God in our Hearts." He encouraged the members to stay steadfast in their conservative and plain lifestyle as a means to a Godly life free of many of the burdens of the modern world.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:58

Before and after the service, many women spoke to me. They were very friendly and asked me to visit again. 

THANK YOU Belen Mennonite Church for graciously allowing me to be a part of your worship service. 

Note:This group is not Old Order Mennonite so they do use electricity, cars, phones, and many electrical items. Most still will not listen to the radio or watch television.  

Albuquerque Mennonite Church

The Anabaptist movement came about in protest to groups like Lutherans and others during the reform movement. Reformist churches required citizens to bring their children to the church for baptism. Anabaptists rejected infant baptism, believed in baptism of adults as a renewal of faith, and fought for early separation of church and state and PEACE.   

This movement led to Amish, Mennonites, Brethren and Hutterites. There are a few Mennonite and Brethren Churches in New Mexico. Amish colonies are spread out in the Midwest and on the East Coast. Hutterite communities are only in Northern U.S. States and Canada. Each group has become distinctly different in their beliefs and lifestyles, but most of them share the belief of not participating in litigation, holding government positions, or taking up arms in defense. 

A group of Anabaptists split from the Joseph Amman followers (Amish). In the mid 1500's, this group came to be led by a former Catholic Priest named, Menno Simons, and his followers eventually were called Mennonites. 

There are different orders of Mennonite churches - Old Order, Conservative, and Progressive. Most churches in the Western part of the United States are progressive. They are similar to Quakers in their goals of peace and justice. 

I attended the 9:30 worship service at the Albuquerque Mennonite Church. Worship is open to newcomers. Their belief statement:

          We of Albuquerque Mennonite Church are committed to Jesus’ call to be a
          growing community that embodies God’s love in the world, a community that 
          cherishes and practices worship, healing, hospitality, peacemaking, and respect
          for all. Open and affirming, we hold that every person is created in God’s 
          image, valued without regard to origin, sexual identity, affiliation, or status.

Every year, they ask their members to Re-Covenant to the church. 

Their worship team includes Pastor Anita Amstutz and Associate Pastor Andrew Clouse. Assoc. Pastor Clouse led the worship service. Visitors were introduced and then everyone greeted each other and were very welcoming to me. They were a very participatory congregation, vibrant and full of love.  

Pastor Amstutz gave the message (sermon) based on the story of Balaam and his Donkey from Numbers (22:21-35). 

While enroute to Moab, God blocks Balaam's path with an Angel because his path was "reckless." The Angel however was only visible to the Donkey. When the donkey would not continue on the path, Balaam beat him multiple times until the Angel finially shows himself to Balaam. 

It was a story that helps us look anew at life for unexpected mysteries. Pastor Amstutz spoke of how God comes to us in unexpected ways and unexpected places, so be open to it. Assoc. Pastor Clouse talked about how the story helps us to, "See with new eyes and to trust the God that we cannot see." 

        I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may

        know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious

        inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who

        believe. Ephesians 1:18-19

Their Worship Service included much joyous group song, as MUSIC is very important in the Mennonite faith. They feel it is their, "most profound connection with God." (Kropf) My favorite hymn was: 

Day by day, dear Lord, of thee three things I pray: to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly, day by day. HWB 569

THANK YOU Albuquerque Mennonite Church for sharing with me your love of God and manner of worship.