Anabaptists, Quakers and Brethren: Where would you rather go?

[Crazy Liz]

It seems the majority of the Baptists want to be separated from the Anabaptists, Quakers and Brethren in their own CF Congregation. This being the case, I'd like those of us who will be forced to leave this forum to be able to discuss among ourselves where we might like to go.

It has been suggested that a separate forum be created for us.

It has also been suggested that possibly the Restoration Movement subforum in Non-Denom would accept us.

There may be other options.

Before a decision is made, lets discuss this. In the Erwin thread I posted a little Anabaptist history lesson. We Anabaptists have been exiled many times over our history. We have always found a new country willing to accept us - at least for a time - and have never been locked up in a ghetto created for us by those who wanted to remove us from their society. We Quakers (Although of Anabaptist background and conviction, I belong to a Friends Church) have a slightly different mission and migration history.

I don't know if drawing on our history will be helpful to us here. However, I do not wish to have the decision to create a separate forum for us made for us by others. After discussion and coming to consensus, we may want a separate forum. Or we may explore other places to go and not find a welcome elsewhere.

I'd like to open up for discussion all the various options.

Those who think we might be compatible with another Congregation, feel free to post an inquiry there, with a link to this thread. If you are a member of another Congregation and would be willing to invite the Anabaptists, Quakers and Brethren (or some of us?) to join your Congregation, please feel free to post here and to inquire of your own Congregation about the feasibility of extending us an invitation.

All options are open for discussion here. A new forum, moving, or anything else anyone can think of. Let us present the options and try to reach a consensus among ourselves before others make the decision for us.

[mesue]

:sigh:

Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Proverbs 6:19b ... and he that soweth discord among brethren.

[seebs]

I mentioned the Restoration Movement just because I've had some very good experiences with them, and they are used to disagreements on, well, everything; their forum name is "no creed but Christ", and they seem to deal well with it.

I don't think there's enough of us to justify a completely separate forum.

[seebs]

BTW, the RM forum isn't a subforum, it's separate from nondenoms.

[MrJim]

I'm thinking big-I'd go with the separate. The Peace Churches represent a part of the body with a richer history than say the SDA. Numbers aren't the only gauge of "success" in examining this thing and perhaps if our names are out there it will attract other mennonites/brethren/friends.

[Crazy Liz]

BTW, the RM forum isn't a subforum, it's separate from nondenoms.

Have you asked them if they will have us?

[MrJim]

I'm cool with staying as a subforum of the baptists if we don't go separate.

[kiwimac]

There really is little in common between the Quakers and the Baptists, other than a small section of the Baptists being part of the HPC. So a separate forum / sub-forum might be a Very Good Idea!

Kiwimac (sometime Quaker)

[MrJim]

There really is little in common between the Quakers and the Baptists, other than a small section of the Baptists being part of the HPC. So a separate forum / sub-forum might be a Very Good Idea!

Kiwimac (sometime Quaker)

What's HPC?

[seebs]

Have you asked them if they will have us?

Yeah, so far the response has been positive. But then, the RM people have always been on the lunatic fringe of acceptance. I suspect that it would require a conscious effort to be odious to keep them from heartily welcoming you. :P

[KellyLeigh]

I didn't know Quakers still existed :scratch: The only time I have ever heard of them was in history class

[MrJim]

Yeah, so far the response has been positive. But then, the RM people have always been on the lunatic fringe of acceptance. I suspect that it would require a conscious effort to be odious to keep them from heartily welcoming you. :P

The "No Creed But Christ" people may not approve of some of us that hold to the Schleitheim or Dordrecht confessions. The RM is basically Church of Christ if I'm not mistaken. That would be little if any difference from where we are now-not to suggest that baptists & coc are the same, but that anabaptists would be put into a forum of people not like themselves. IIRC coc believes in baptismal regeneration?? I think you might be headed in the wrong direction-correct me if I'm mistaken.

[kiwimac]

I didn't know Quakers still existed :scratch: The only time I have ever heard of them was in history class

There are lots of us about!

Kiwimac

[DiscipleOfIAm]

The "No Creed But Christ" people may not approve of some of us that hold to the Schleitheim or Dordrecht confessions. The RM is basically Church of Christ if I'm not mistaken. That would be little if any difference from where we are now-not to suggest that baptists & coc are the same, but that anabaptists would be put into a forum of people not like themselves. IIRC coc believes in baptismal regeneration?? I think you might be headed in the wrong direction-correct me if I'm mistaken.

Yeah, RM, which includes Christian Churches, Disciples of Christ, and Coc believe in baptismal regeneration. The three of these are extremely different in the beliefs, too. You also find the philospohy of if the Bible does not say "Thus sayeth the Lord" they don't do it. I would say it wouldn't be any different than where the Ana's are now, that is in a forum with separate beliefs from the host.

The main thing that is similar between Ana's and Baptists is the word Baptist. Weird.

I think you guys should be entitled to your own forum or since you've been there so long anyway, a subforum in the Baptist forum.

Us non-Catholics cannot agree on anything. I suppose that's why there are thousands of denominations out there!

God Bless!

[DiscipleOfIAm]

I didn't know Quakers still existed :scratch: The only time I have ever heard of them was in history class


You've probably seen "Insert Name Friends Church". These are usually Quakers!

[DiscipleOfIAm]

If I might ask, I've been off and on here for a couple of years and may have missed something, but why the sudden need to split? What happened? Did someone not play nice together?

[seebs]

If I might ask, I've been off and on here for a couple of years and may have missed something, but why the sudden need to split? What happened? Did someone not play nice together?

Pretty much. There was a really messy Death Penalty thread, and then a few followup threads on related topics that got messy.

And, every time that happens, we get some of the Baptists (I think predominantly SBC) saying that the Anabaptists should go elsewhere.

On the topic of the RM: I'm well aware that many of the RM church folks wouldn't agree with many of the Anabaptists on issues. The difference would be that they have a lot of dissent and disagreement already, and they deal with it just fine, because they're used to it.

[DiscipleOfIAm]

On the topic of the RM: I'm well aware that many of the RM church folks wouldn't agree with many of the Anabaptists on issues. The difference would be that they have a lot of dissent and disagreement already, and they deal with it just fine, because they're used to it.

True. I grew up in an RM church. Folks cannot agree on anything! There was always a group of people leaving the church to start their own with their beleifs. Good luck either way! I personally float around to a few forums, but mainly stick around the Baptist one.

God Bless!

[Atlantians]

The Quakers, or Bretheren, have generally become heretical.
Believing in multiple paths to salvation.

[kiwimac]

Perhaps you might like to back that up?

[MrJim]

The Quakers, or Bretheren, have generally become heretical.
Believing in multiple paths to salvation.

Um, don't confuse Brethren with Quakers-they're two different critters.

I know plenty of Church of the Brethren, Brethren-in-Christ, and Grace Brethren (and at least one Old River Brethren) folks that are true devout orthodox Christians. Many of the CoB are still somewhat plain/conservatives. BiC run the excellent Messiah College in PA. There are not many about.

Quakers are something rather different-I don't know much about them so won't speak on that.

[seebs]

Quakers run the whole range, from fairly orthodox to fairly unorthodox. It's a side-effect of anti-creedalism.

The rationale, in essence, is that there's no point quibbling over words when no one knows exactly what we're talking about or what the words mean.

I know people who describe themselves as "atheists" who have more faith in God than I see from some people who are ostensibly religious. People can use the same words to describe very different things, or different words to describe the same thing.

[SumTinWong]

Wouldn't it be ironic if you all found a home in the OBOB section ;) Here is hoping that you find someone that likes you enough to have you. I just started over at the Anglican forum but try asking them. They took the old Catholics in.

[MrJim]

Wouldn't it be ironic if you all found a home in the OBOB section ;) Here is hoping that you find someone that likes you enough to have you. I just started over at the Anglican forum but try asking them. They took the old Catholics in.

Yeah, I've been trying to add some liturgy to my otherwise plain evangelical services:clap:and I do believe in real presence in some form...

[MrJim]

My concern is that if the anabaptists get moved it doesn't become some home for liberalism-there's plenty of that currently in the anabaptist/quaker groups.

[Joykins]

The Quakers, or Bretheren, have generally become heretical.
Believing in multiple paths to salvation.

This is the Grace Brethren church I was raised in. Please point me to something in this statement of faith (http://www.fgbc.org/covenant-and-statement-of-faith.htm)that you would find heretical or substantiating the assertion "believing in multiple paths to salvation."

Thanks.

[rnmomof7]

Welcome to your new forum. May God bless your discussions here !

[£amb]

I leave for the weekend and this happens? :cry:

Makes me sad. Had no idea what was going down.

[seebs]

Not here, that's where.

[MrJim]

Yeah, we're here.

Case closed.

[Crazy Liz]

Welcome to your new forum. May God bless your discussions here !
:sigh:

[theAmishGirl]

I'm anabaptist all the way- don't know much about the quaker church but the holy-kiss thing that some of the brethren around me practice is just a little wierd to me!!

[kiwimac]

So,

hello. I am kiwimac, I'm a priest in the Anglican Church International and a quaker.

Kiwimac

[Crazy Liz]

My concern is that if the anabaptists get moved it doesn't become some home for liberalism-there's plenty of that currently in the anabaptist/quaker groups.
You already campaigning for another split?

[theAmishGirl]

You already campaigning for another split?
Liz- do you know if we have our own little cross logo thing now too?

[vespasia]

Hallo.

I did not know there was this folder till I clicked the wrong button. I go to a UK Chapel that has very strong old Brethren roots, a even stronger tradition of scriptural teaching and a desire to build evanglism through relationships (although THAT took some serious prayer and time before it was agreed upon) I love the old brethren they welcomed me into His body and responded to my screams of 'teach me what this book is about PLEASE!' after a whole heap of other churches people tend to think of as being more open slammed the doors on me and would NOT teach me.

Going to add that my church and all the preaching brothers (old fashioned brethren now more evangelical but still with very strong brethern roots) teach Christ is the only way to salavtion. I go to one of the churches that has steadily grown rather than diminshed in the UK
This is NOT my church but it is very similar. It reflects the upward looking outreaching to the surrounding community UK brethren
http://www.request.org.uk/main/churches/brethren/brethren00.htm.

I have to head to work now but I will read more of this folder when I get back.

[seebs]

Well, if you don't want me here, I guess I'll go elsewhere.

I wouldn't want to intrude my inconvenient Gospel stuff about loving people unconditionally where "liberalism" isn't wanted.

[seebs]

Just a followup, WWMC appears to be willing to welcome Anabaptists.

Note that, while the forum is "liberal", it's liberal in the classical sense, not the modern sense. You do not need to agree with anyone there on anything to be welcome. If you disagree with the "regulars", that just makes you more interesting to talk to.

So everyone's welcome there.

[I <3 Abraham]

Just a followup, WWMC appears to be willing to welcome Anabaptists.

Note that, while the forum is "liberal", it's liberal in the classical sense, not the modern sense. You do not need to agree with anyone there on anything to be welcome. If you disagree with the "regulars", that just makes you more interesting to talk to.

So everyone's welcome there.

Yup, all are welcome! Not only welcome, but wanted as well. The only advice I have is to start a thread introducing yourself, nobody will be snarky to you if you do that (we sometimes get a little short with people we think are trolls, it's a fault).

[Teshi]

WWMC is my home congregational forum, and I know for certain I'd welcome you guys over there :hug:

It seems like WWMC is ending up being not so much "liberal" as "a safe haven for people whose beliefs get picked on a lot" and...um...sound like you guys might fall in that category :sorry:

So if it gets too quiet over here, c'mon over!

[MrJim]

WWMC is my home congregational forum, and I know for certain I'd welcome you guys over there :hug:

It seems like WWMC is ending up being not so much "liberal" as "a safe haven for people whose beliefs get picked on a lot" and...um...sound like you guys might fall in that category :sorry:

So if it gets too quiet over here, c'mon over!

Thank you ma'am:wave:

[yeshuaslavejeff]

THE AMISH GIRL: "I'm anabaptist all the way- "

anabaptist like when they started (and some still) and keep Yhwh's Sabbath (ditto the other commandments also) ?

[Schroeder]

There are lots of us about!

Kiwimac and let me say they all have a WIDE range of beliefs. being a Quaker( a Christ centered bible believing one) that it is a tough group to grasp if you look at all the different teaching or lack there of. i just go under nondenom.

[vexie]

Hey everyone! How cool that there's a forum just for anabaptists! Both of my parents were born and raised as Mennonites (the buggy driving, no electricity, very conservative type) however they left the church in their late teens, became born again christians and raised me and my sisters in a Brethern assembly which has since become an evangelical community church. Since I've moved out I've attended Brethern-in-Christ churches, Baptist churches and even a modern Anglican church... so I consider myself non-denomination :) but it's still really cool to see so many close to my roots.

I can see how there will be lots of different viewpoints in this forum, though. Where I grew up the Mennonite church has split sooo many times over differing opinions, both theological and other, that I can't even keep up anymore.

Looking forward to getting to know you all soon :D

[MrJim]

Hey everyone! How cool that there's a forum just for anabaptists! Both of my parents were born and raised as Mennonites (the buggy driving, no electricity, very conservative type) however they left the church in their late teens, became born again christians and raised me and my sisters in a Brethern assembly which has since become an evangelical community church. Since I've moved out I've attended Brethern-in-Christ churches, Baptist churches and even a modern Anglican church... so I consider myself non-denomination :) but it's still really cool to see so many close to my roots.

I can see how there will be lots of different viewpoints in this forum, though. Where I grew up the Mennonite church has split sooo many times over differing opinions, both theological and other, that I can't even keep up anymore.

Looking forward to getting to know you all soon :D

Welcome to the family vexie!