| History and Belief
The Church of the Brethren was founded in 1708 by five men and three women in Schwarzenau, Germany. These eight religious dissenters believed that Jesus intended his followers to live a different kind of life, based on peaceful action, plain and compassionate living, and a shared search for truth. They rejected creeds and statements of faith, relying on the entire New Testament as their guide.
Today's Brethren still believe that true discipleship emphasizes peace and reconciliation, simple living, integrity of speech, family values, and service to neighbors near and far. You've probably seen the results of that service without realizing it:
Yep -- all these projects began with the Brethren, working alone and with others.
And the Church of the Brethren is one of the three Historic Peace Churches, along with the Mennonites and Quakers. Brethren have been conscientious objectors to every war since their inception in 1708. And with the Quakers and Mennonites, Brethren helped develop Alternative Service options for conscientious objectors. Christian Peacemaker Teams (www.cpt.org) were originally an initiative of these three Historic Peace Churches.
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| Ordinances
The Church of the Brethren recognizes four ordinances, or practices of faith. They are Baptism, Love Feast & Communion, Feetwashing, and Anointing.
Baptism
Brethren practice adult "believers" baptism. Traditional Brethren baptism is conducted through trine immersion: the person to be baptized kneels in the flowing water of a river or stream, and is immersed three times forward: "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Love Feast & Communion
The Brethren Love Feast is practiced twice yearly: on Maundy Thursday during Holy Week; and on the first Sunday of October, known as "World Communion Sunday." The Love Feast consists of four segments: Reconciliation, Feetwashing, Common Meal, and Communion. All participate in setting up for the service and in cleaning up afterward.
Feetwashing
Feetwashing allows us to imitate Jesus' actions on the night of the Last Supper, and reminds us that we need to both give to and receive service from others. "Love has no need to prove status or position; love simply gives -- and keeps on giving." We both wash and are washed.
Anointing
Anointing involves the prayerful application of oil to the forehead of a person in suffering. Anointings can occur anywhere: in homes, hospital rooms, and during the regular worship service. Oil is applied three times to the forehead, "symbolizing forgiveness of sin, strengthening of faith, and healing of body, mind, and spirit."
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| The Seal of Alexander Mack, a founder of the Brethren movement |
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