Old Mennonites

The Old Mennonites, not to be confused with the (Old) Mennonites of the turn of the 19th century, are a collection of Anabaptists who, although neither Old Order Mennonites, nor Conservative Mennonites, share characteristics of both. A movement rather than a church, the Old Mennonites are closest to the Progressive Old Order Mennonite group known as the Markham-Waterloo Mennonite Conference, although there are significant differences.

Beliefs and Practices

Similar to Progressive Old Order Mennonite groups, Old Mennonites adhere to the Dordrecht Confession of Faith (Mennonite, 1632), use the King James Version of the Bible, and cherish the Martyrs Mirror.

Also similar to Old Order Mennonites, Protestant beliefs and practices are strongly avoided, like mass evangelism and revivalism, public prayer meetings, and any form of ecumenism, in order to maintain the purity of the faith.

They allow black vans for transportation and black pick up trucks for business, but automobiles are not accepted as they are considered to cause pride. Separation from the world is essential to Old Mennonites, and anything they consider matters of pride are avoided. Plain clothes are a must in public for men and women. Men wear black or dark blue trousers with black shoes and socks, plain colour shirts with black suspenders, black coats, and black flat caps. Woman wear traditional Mennonite dresses and prayer coverings.

Daily Life

Because Old Mennonites are not restricted to rural living, wearing plain clothes in public is necessary. They consider that just as baptism (which they believe should be by immersion) is a visible sign of an inward faith, plain clothes are a visible sign of an inward belief in separation from the world, especially in urban settings.

Further, Old Mennonites do not limit education or job preferences, and plain clothes then become a visible witness of their inward faith in all areas.

Communication technologies are also considered acceptable, as they allow for the global spread of the Gospel. However, use of computers for entertainment is considered unacceptable, as is participation in gaming, sporting events, the cinema, and public festivities.

Conclusion

The Old Mennonite movement exists primarily to attract those who wish to maintain the purity of Anabaptist beliefs in any setting. They strongly believe that one does not need to turn to Protestant beliefs in urban settings, including educational and professional. They believe that the former loss of Mennonites to Protestant beliefs and practices has little to nothing to do with technology, and everything to do with the adaption of individualism, which is heavily invested in the North American Protestant evangelical ethos.