The largest Amish community is in Holmes County, Ohio; although there are other sizable Amish populations in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Indiana and smaller communities across the Eastern and Mid-Western states, as well as in Canada. Amish is a stricter branch of the Mennonite Anabaptist Church, with which it shares many beliefs and practices. The Amish, with other Anabaptists, reject infant baptism in favor of adult baptism, giving an adult the right to choose their religion and commit to joining the Amish community. The Amish refer to themselves as the “plain people” and to anyone outside of the Amish community, regardless of religion or race, as “Englishers” or “high people”. There are many informative websites and books available that cover every aspect of Amish life.
It may even be possible to stay in a bed and breakfast run by a local Amish family. This will give you an even closer look at the Amish way of life, which places God and family above all else. If possible, try to visit several communities on your trip, as different Amish communities will vary slightly in terms of their customs, traditions, and level of strictness and you will need to find the one to which you are best suited. If you cannot travel to an Amish community, you may be able to set up correspondence with an Amish person to gain an insight into their beliefs and way of life. The Amish do not allow computers or, in most cases, telephones, so communicating by post will be your only option. Remember to respect their beliefs and do not take any identifiable photographs of them (the Second Commandment, Exodus 20:4 - “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. . . “). They may allow you to take pictures of their buggy or farms if you ask politely, however. [3] X Research source Be aware that some may not feel comfortable (especially women) with talking to outsiders extensively about their faith or lifestyle since they are taught to be modest in everything they do.
Although the Amish do not have any rules forbidding outsiders from joining, it is highly unusual and typically not encouraged, so contacting the bishop is a good way to judge what the community’s reaction to a newcomer is likely to be. [4] X Research source If the bishop is open to the idea of you joining their community, he will invite you for an interview, where you can put forward your reasons for wanting to become a member of the Amish. You will need to demonstrate the strength of your faith, your willingness to renounce the ways of the modern world, and your commitment to the Amish way of life. As long as your motives are pure and you are fully aware of what life in an Amish community entails, there should be no objection to you coming to live in the community.
Unless you are coming from another branch of the Anabaptist Church with a very similar lifestyle, you are likely to find the transition to Amish living somewhat difficult. Living without electricity, cell phones and motor vehicles is a lot harder for someone who is used to having these luxuries, than it is for people who were brought up in the Amish community and don’t know any differently. Although some Amish may be very welcoming and helpful to you as you make your transition, others may be more distrustful of you and not expect you to last very long. Give them time. Once you prove your faith and commitment, they will grow to trust and accept you.
Unfortunately, available farmland is becoming harder to find, due to urban sprawl, high demand for land from an ever-growing Amish community (even though new people rarely join, the average Amish family has seven children) and prohibitively high costs. [5] X Research source You will also need to keep in mind that your home will need to be close enough to the center of the community that it can be reached by horse and buggy, the major method of transportation. This will limit you to about a 10–15 mile (16–24 km) radius.
As a newcomer to the Amish community, learning to speak the new language will be difficult, but not impossible. You will pick it up just by listening to others, attending Church services and by making an effort to speak it whenever you get the opportunity. It may also be possible to hire a Pennsylvania Dutch tutor who can help you to improve at a faster pace. [6] X Research source The term “Pennsylvania Dutch” is a misnomer, as the language has no association with the Netherlands. It is, in fact, a dialect of German that was spoken in parts of Switzerland, Tyrol, and the Rhineland. It is believed the term “Dutch” comes from an archaic form of English, which referred to any continental Germanic language. [7] X Research source
Depending on the strictness of the Amish community you have joined, your new home may or may not have running water. If it does not, you will need to use an old-fashioned hand-pump instead. Some homes will use natural gas to provide heat and light, whereas others will use wood or coal-fueled stoves. Telephones are not allowed in most Amish households, though some communities will allow for a shared phone to be installed in a shack or outhouse, which can be used by several families whenever necessary.
As a result, Amish communities use a horse and buggy for transport, which is sufficient for covering the distance required to get to Church, visit neighbors and make the trip to Amish supply stores. Consult with your neighbors on where you can get a horse and buggy of your very own. While they can’t own or drive a car, the Amish are willing to accept rides and even hire drivers if a necessary trip must be made - to visit far-flung relatives, receive medical treatment, or procure supplies unavailable in Amish stores.
Men should wear straight-cut suits without pockets, collars or belts, which women should wear high-necked, long-sleeved, full-skirted dresses, covered by an apron. Any form of patterned fabric, ornamentation or jewellery is not permitted. Men should remain clean-shaven until after marriage when they are required to let their beard grow. Mustaches are not permitted and haircuts can only be given by Amish barbers. Women must wear their hair in a braid or bun, which is then covered by a prayer covering which is a symbol of their subjection to God. [9] X Research source
There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. Some Amish will allow themselves to be photographed as long as their hands or hats cover their faces. Others are okay with being filmed or photographed as long as they are shot in a natural setting, where it’s clear that they are not posing for the camera.
Men from the Amish community work together to build the barn from scratch, according to the plans drawn up by one or two master “engineers”. They supply all the labor free of charge and may donate supplies and livestock. The project may take as long as a week to complete. [10] X Research source Women participate in the barn-raisings by cooking for the men, while children help with smaller tasks involved in the building and running errands.
The Amish place great importance on individual study of the Bible, which is considered to be the only source of religious authority. However, you should also get your hands on a copy of a book called “Martyr’s Mirror”, a highly respected publication that chronicles the history of the Amish people and honors those who die for their faith. It should also be noted that although the Amish place utmost importance on living according to the teachings of the Bible, they do not believe that this is a guaranteed path to salvation. They believe that any claim to be “saved” is an expression of pride and is therefore forbidden.
The service is said by 3 to 7 ministers and bishops, with the scriptures being read in High German. The main themes preached by the ministers include living a humble and virtuous life in the eyes of God and the idea of “judge not lest ye be judged”. Personal prayer time is also included, with the congregation kneeling on the floor in silent worship. Although musical instruments are not permitted by the Church, singing is an important part of every Amish service. The congregation sings from a special hymnal called the Ausband, a High German songbook which dates back to the 16th century. The singing is always done in unison, never in harmony. The Amish receive Holy Communion twice a year.
The decision to be baptized must be completely personal and voluntary, you must willingly commit yourself to the Church for the rest of your life. Young people are free to leave the Amish community before they are baptized, and while some of them do, most will decide to commit themselves to the Church. Once baptized, you will be committed to living your life according to the rules of the Ordnung. If you break this commitment and fail to repent for your sins, you may be “shunned” by the community, where people will avoid having any social contact with you and you will be forced to eat your meals separately from your family. If you repent you will be accepted back into the community in time, but if you continue to sin you may be excommunicated from the Church. [11] X Research source
An Amish wedding ceremony is quite different from that of the “English”. No rings are exchanged, there are no flowers or music, and the bride traditionally makes her own dress, which is blue or purple. In fact, the ceremony is very similar to a regular church service, except there is a greater emphasis on the ordinance of marriage, which is taken particularly seriously, as divorce is forbidden by the Amish church. [9] X Research source After the ceremony, a huge feast is held at the home of the bride’s parents, with as many as 200 to 300 guests. The guests are often served in separate sittings, followed by the singing of hymns. The couple’s honeymoon period is spent visiting all of their relatives over the course of several weekends, at which point they will also collect their wedding gifts. Once an Amish man is married, he will begin to grow his beard - the symbol of a married man. The couple will usually be ready to move into a home of their own by the spring following their wedding.
Amish bishops and ministers do not receive any formal, theological training; they are simply called upon by their community to uphold and enforce the teachings of the Bible and the rules of the Ordnung. The system for drawing lots works by placing a sheet of paper with a Bible verse into the pages of a songbook. This songbook is then arranged in a row of other songbooks. Each nominated man must choose a songbook, and whoever picks the songbook with the Bible verse concealed inside is said to have been chosen by God to serve the Amish Church.
