There are groups named Brethren that are not related to the Anabaptist movement at all; and others that developed independently, but most of the Brethren churches that have a relationship to Anabaptism originated from the Schwarzenau Brethren, which was organized in 1708 under the leadership of Alexander Mack. These churches are not strictly Anabaptist, and some identify as Protestant; although, for the purposes of categorization, we will list them here. Like the Anabaptists, the Schwarzenau Baptist practiced nonresistance, and rejected infant baptism and Catholic Eucharistic practices, and were broadly influenced by Radical Pietist understandings of an invisible church awaiting Christ's return. They baptized by immersion, and practiced triune baptism, in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and included a love feast and the washing of feet in communion services. The Schwarzenau Brethren still exist, but are known as the German Baptist Brethren in America. Over the years, there have been several divisions within the Brethren Churches. The four largest are the Church of the Brethren, the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, the Brethren in Christ, and the Brethren Church, but there are more than a dozen smaller denominations. Other Brethren denominations related to Anabaptism developed separately from the Schwarzenau; these include the United Brethren, River Brethren, Swiss Brethren and the Hutterian Brethren. Brethren churches tend to blend the legacies of Anabaptism and Pietism, and more recent church divisions have been over concerns with liberalism, gay marriage, and the dissolution of practices that set them apart from mainstream Protestant churches, such as foot washing and the Holy Kiss. Most Brethren groups typically baptize by immersion and celebrate a Love Feast. A few Brethren groups wear plain dress, such as the Old German Baptist Brethren and the Dunkard Brethren, but they do not hold to restrictions on technology.
Categories
Brethren in ChristChurch of the BrethrenDunkard Brethren Church | Grace Brethren ChurchMennonite Brethren ChurchUnited Brethren in Christ |
Recommended Resources
Maintained by an independent, non-profit organization controlled by a board of directors, most of its staff and board members identify with churches from a Brethren background. Its site features several Bible passage studies, including studies of specific passages from Scripture, topical articles, character studies, Christian practice and ordinances, evangelistic articles, sin issues, and prophecy.
http://biblehelpsinc.org/
Sometimes known as the Ashland Brethren for its headquarters in Ashland, Ohio, the Brethren Church traces its roots back to the Schwarzenau Brethren of Germany. The official Brethren Church web site summarizes its vision, values and beliefs, offers a list of member congregations, and offers access to various manuals, guides, and policy information. Official notices are posted to the site.
http://www.brethrenchurch.org/
Serving to preserve historical information concerning the Brethren bodies whose heritage began in 1708 in Schwarzenau, Germany, the Brethren bodies involved in the work include the Church of the Brethren, Conservative Grace Brethren, Dunkard Brethren, Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, German Baptist Brethren, Old Brethren, Old Brethren German Baptist, Old German Baptist Brethren, Old German Baptist Brethren - Old Conference, Old Order German Baptist, and the Brethren Church.
http://www.brethrenheritagecenter.org/
Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International
The CGBCI is a fellowship of autonomous churches that cooperate in order to fulfill the Great Commission, basing this cooperation on commonly held biblical beliefs as recorded in its statement of faith. The fellowship began in 1708 with Alexander Mack in Schwarzenau, Germany. The official site records fellowship officers, posts conference schedules, as well as an audio archive, and a list of churches and ministries.
https://www.cgbci.org/
The Missionary Church came about with the merger of the Missionary Church Association and the United Missionary Church in 1969. The United Missionary Church was part of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ until 1947. Churches within the denomination are listed, along with its history, constitution, and policies for becoming part of the denomination, minister credentialing, and other resources.
https://www.mcusa.org/
Old German Baptist Brethren Church (New Conference)
The Old German Baptists separated from the larger group of Schwarzenau Brethren who immigrated to America in the 1700s, and it was from this group that the New Conference emerged in 2009. Its history, beliefs, a polity statement, and outreach services are put forth, and a list of congregations is presented, sorted by state. A calendar of events is published, and announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.ogbbc.org/
Formed in the mid-1970s, the Brethren Encyclopedia Project is a cooperative effort between the seven main Brethren groups that have descended from the original Brethren groups formed by Alexander Mack in 1708. The printed encyclopedia is available in four volumes, which may be purchased individually or as a set. Monographs, videos, and other publications are also available.
http://www.brethrenencyclopedia.org/
