Jump to content

Groffdale Conference Mennonite Church: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Perhaps a better way to offer alternate name; rewording; typo.
No edit summary
Line 3: Line 3:
The Groffdale Conference arose in 1927 at the conclusion of a seventeen year disagreement within the Weaverland Old Order Mennonite Conference<ref>The Weaverland group is now known as Horning (Black Bumper) Older Order Mennonites.</ref> over use of the automobile.<ref>Kraybill 2006, pp. 63-74.</ref> Half of the Weaverland conference, five hundred<ref name='kraybill-2006-2'/> of the more traditional members, formed this new group in order to retain horse-drawn transportation. The name of the conference comes from the Groffdale churchhouse where Joseph O. Wenger led the first worship services.<ref name='kraybill-2006-2'/>
The Groffdale Conference arose in 1927 at the conclusion of a seventeen year disagreement within the Weaverland Old Order Mennonite Conference<ref>The Weaverland group is now known as Horning (Black Bumper) Older Order Mennonites.</ref> over use of the automobile.<ref>Kraybill 2006, pp. 63-74.</ref> Half of the Weaverland conference, five hundred<ref name='kraybill-2006-2'/> of the more traditional members, formed this new group in order to retain horse-drawn transportation. The name of the conference comes from the Groffdale churchhouse where Joseph O. Wenger led the first worship services.<ref name='kraybill-2006-2'/>


The German Language is used in worship services<ref name='landis-59'/> and [[Pennsylvania German]] is spoken at home.<ref name='kraybill-2000-108'>Kraybill 2000, p. 108.</ref> They meet in plain church buildings to worship, but do not have [[Sunday school]]s. Practicing [[nonresistance]] like other traditional Mennonite groups, during World War II they advised young men not qualifying for a farm deferment to accept jail terms instead of [[Civilian Public Service]], the alternate used by other [[Anabaptist]] [[conscientious objector]]s.<ref name='landis-59'/>
The German Language is used in worship services<ref name='landis-59'/> and [[Pennsylvania_German_language|Pennsylvania German]] is spoken at home.<ref name='kraybill-2000-108'>Kraybill 2000, p. 108.</ref> They meet in plain church buildings to worship, but do not have [[Sunday school]]s. Practicing [[nonresistance]] like other traditional Mennonite groups, during World War II they advised young men not qualifying for a farm deferment to accept jail terms instead of [[Civilian Public Service]], the alternate used by other [[Anabaptist]] [[conscientious objector]]s.<ref name='landis-59'/>


In 1954 the group consisted of 1200 members.<ref>Landis 1957.</ref> As of 2002, the conference has grown to 49 congregations with 8542 members<ref>Only [[Believer's baptism|baptized adults]] are counted as members in Mennonite groups.</ref> and a total population of 17,775.<ref name='kraybill-2006-2'/> The population has an annual growth rate of 3.7 percent, doubling about every 19 years.<ref name='kraybill-2006-2'/> About half live in Pennsylvania, with additional congregations in Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin.
In 1954 the group consisted of 1200 members.<ref>Landis 1957.</ref> As of 2002, the conference has grown to 49 congregations with 8542 members<ref>Only [[Believer's baptism|baptized adults]] are counted as members in Mennonite groups.</ref> and a total population of 17,775.<ref name='kraybill-2006-2'/> The population has an annual growth rate of 3.7 percent, doubling about every 19 years.<ref name='kraybill-2006-2'/> About half live in Pennsylvania, with additional congregations in Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Revision as of 02:58, 23 June 2008

Groffdale Conference (Wenger) Mennonite Church is the largest Old Order Mennonite group to use horse-drawn carriages for transportation.[1] Their black carriages distinguish them from the Amish, who use gray ones.[2] They are mainly rural people, using steel-wheeled tractors to work small farms. Along with the automobile, they reject most modern conveniences, while allowing electricity in their homes. Initially concentrated in eastern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, they resided in eight other states as of 2002.[3]

The Groffdale Conference arose in 1927 at the conclusion of a seventeen year disagreement within the Weaverland Old Order Mennonite Conference[4] over use of the automobile.[5] Half of the Weaverland conference, five hundred[2] of the more traditional members, formed this new group in order to retain horse-drawn transportation. The name of the conference comes from the Groffdale churchhouse where Joseph O. Wenger led the first worship services.[2]

The German Language is used in worship services[3] and Pennsylvania German is spoken at home.[6] They meet in plain church buildings to worship, but do not have Sunday schools. Practicing nonresistance like other traditional Mennonite groups, during World War II they advised young men not qualifying for a farm deferment to accept jail terms instead of Civilian Public Service, the alternate used by other Anabaptist conscientious objectors.[3]

In 1954 the group consisted of 1200 members.[7] As of 2002, the conference has grown to 49 congregations with 8542 members[8] and a total population of 17,775.[2] The population has an annual growth rate of 3.7 percent, doubling about every 19 years.[2] About half live in Pennsylvania, with additional congregations in Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Kraybill 2006, p. 21.
  2. ^ a b c d e Kraybill 2006, pp. 2-3.
  3. ^ a b c Landis 1959.
  4. ^ The Weaverland group is now known as Horning (Black Bumper) Older Order Mennonites.
  5. ^ Kraybill 2006, pp. 63-74.
  6. ^ Kraybill 2000, p. 108.
  7. ^ Landis 1957.
  8. ^ Only baptized adults are counted as members in Mennonite groups.

References

  • Kraybill, Donald B (2000). Anabaptist World USA. Herald Press. pp. pages 108, 146, 168. ISBN 0836191633. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  • Kraybill, Donald B (2006). Horse-and-Buggy Mennonites hoofbeats of humility in a postmodern world. Penn State Press. ISBN 0271028661. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Landis, Ira D (1957). "Groffdale Old Order Mennonite Conference". Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  • Landis, Ira D. (1959). "Wenger Mennonites". Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Groffdale_Conference_Mennonite_Church&oldid=221114705"