The Anabaptist Movement 

	The term Anabaptist, simply means re-baptizers. They believed people should be baptized upon confession of faith and that infant baptism did not provide salvation. The Anabaptist are not anti-Baptist, in fact the Baptist religion had not yet been founded. 

	The Anabaptist movement grew out of what is known as the Reformation. The Reformation, which started in Zurich, Switzerland, took place during the 16th century, as a number of priests and believers began to question the authority and the practices of the Catholic Church. Martin Luther (founder of the Lutheran Church), Huldrych Zwinlgi (founder of the Reformed Church) and a number of other priests broke away from the Catholic Church in an effort to reform it. Luther and Zwingli did not go far enough for some believers and reformists; they still recognized infant baptism and did not push for separation of church and state. 

	Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, Menno Simons, Jacob Wiederman, Peter Riedeman, Georg Blaurock, Michael Sattler, and Jacob Hutter, along with others, became important players in the early Anabaptist movement. Those declaring themselves as an Anabaptists' found themselves being labeled as 'heretics' and hunted and killed by both the Catholic Church and the Protestant Reformists. It is estimated that around 5,000 Anabaptists were burned at the stake, drowned or survived other terrible fates during this time period. Those that did survive fled for safety and lived in caves, in the forests or spent their time in prison. Those groups, which grew out of this movement and still exist today, sing the songs composed by the early believers while they sat in prison and follow most of the early tenets of faith. Today in many homes you will find a copy of the Martyr's Mirror that chronicles this turbulent time period. 

	Over time as the believers formed into groups they developed slightly different practices and ways of applying scripture to everyday life. Jacob Hutter and Menno Simons emerged as early leaders of the groups. Hutter's group became know as the Hutterites and Simon's group became know as the Mennonites. The followers did not wish to be called Hutterites, Mennonites or Amish (which come on the scene shortly) but were labeled that by ones that mocked them, the names stuck. Jacob Hutter was burned at the stake in 1536 for refusing to denounce his faith. The original Hutterites formed in Moravia and Austria. They fled to several different countries before establishing the colonies, which exist in North America today.

	Amish are Anabaptists as well, they split from the Mennonites in 1693, when a group of elders, along with Jacob Amman, disagreed over the application scripture and what they perceived as to much worldliness. Those that followed Amman thus ended up being called Amish. 

	Eventually the groups made their way to North and South America where they could practice their beliefs with religious freedom. 

Common beliefs held by the groups:

1.) Believe in confession of faith and adult baptism.
2.) Separation of church and state.
3.) Non-violence 

	The main groups associated with Anabaptists are the Hutterites, Mennonites and the Amish.

The Mennonites and the Amish
	
	Today Mennonites are the most diverse of the three groups of Anabaptists. They range from the Old Order Mennonites, to more modern Mennonites that evangelize around the world and are multi-cultural. It is estimated there are over 1.2 million baptized believers in 63 different countries today. Old Order Groups, including the Amish and the Hutterites, continue to grow mainly because of their birthrate and retention of children as they grow up, but these groups are confined mainly to North America. So most of the growth is coming from the more modern Mennonites and their worldwide evangelism efforts.  

	Sometimes people confuse Old Order Mennonites with the Amish because they dress similar and live much the same way. But if you ever go to Holmes County in Ohio or Lancaster, Pennsylvania or Goshen, Indiana or any other spot where there are fairly large concentrations of these groups, there are ways to tell the difference, with a few exceptions. Amish men traditionally have a beard, minus the mustache, whereas, the Mennonite men are clean-shaven, although during the week they may have a five o'clock shadow. Also Amish meet in houses or barns for church services, the Mennonites use a meeting house, usually a large plain white building, with large windows and rows of rails outside or lean-to buildings for tying up the horses as they attend service. There are other subtle differences also: the type of buggy, the style of dress or the equipment allowed on the farm. There are exceptions, I lived with the Hoover group in Scottsville, Kentucky we were considered Old Order Mennonites and had both beards and mustaches, we also wore more traditional Amish style clothing, which is slightly more conservative.

	More modern Mennonites look like all the people you see around you. They are every color and nationality, they drive cars or maybe in some foreign countries they drive an oxcart. They dress like everyone else, well maybe a little more modest than some. The men might or might not have beards, and the woman might or might not have long hair and wear head coverings. So you could say modern Mennonites represent all types of people but common beliefs and faith unite them all. 

	Amish are often the most recognized group of Anabaptists (although like I said, oftentimes people mistake Old Order Mennonites for Amish), yet they only number around 80,000 out of that 1.2 million figure I gave for all Anabaptists. It was soon after Jacob Amman broke from the Mennonites that the first sizable group of Amish made it to America. From 1720's-30's they arrived in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Today, the Amish exists in 22 states and Canada, with over 80 percent living in either, Ohio, Indiana or Pennsylvania. They continue to migrate looking for cheaper farmland and to leave behind the tourists' trade that flourishes were they live.

	Both the Old Order Mennonites and Amish learn to speak Pennsylvania Dutch as a first language and in school learn High German and English. The children of these groups complete their formal education in 8th grade; usually in a small one-room school house the community owns and run. 

	The children begin learning a work ethic early on. Youngsters will follow their dad out into the barn or the fields once they have mastered walking. They will also see mother working in the kitchen or sewing and will probably be asked to help. 

	The Amish broke from the Mennonites mainly over the issue of the ban or shunning. The Mennonites were not as strict at enforcing it. It is no fun to be shunned, imagine all your friends and family turning their back on you. But they do it in hopes that you will repent then they will forgive you and take you back once again. 

	I encourage you to visit any of these groups; a good way to meet them is to attend a service. If you go to an Old Order service, I suggest that you respect their ways and customs.  As the saying goes "when in Rome do as the Romans do" and you'll learn a lot.

The Hutterites

	The Hutterites settled in United States in the 1870's. They presently are found in several western states (North and South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Minnesota) and in the western providences of Canada (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta). They number around 36,000 people and live in over 400 colonies, with 60-160 people. There are three groups within the Hutterites: the Lehrerleut, Schmiedeleut and Dariusleut.

	A core belief of the Hutterites is community of goods (having everything in common), following the example of early Christians in the Bible. They eat in a common dining hall, men and woman eat on opposite sides, young children eat in their own dining hall. They all work in jobs chosen for them, which benefit the needs of the group. The colony is supported through agricultural products, livestock and in recent years manufacturing. The colonies found they needed to diversify into manufacturing and so today they make various products mostly farm related. Modern equipment is used where it is deemed necessary or beneficial, unlike their Old Order Mennonite or Amish brethren. 

	The life in the colony is simple, centered on their beliefs, community well being and family. They live separate from the world around them and chose not to participate in worldly things. Families are large with an average of 8 children and divorce does not exist as it is against their beliefs. Adults are allowed to drink a little beer or wine, but other than that, alcohol and drugs are not tolerated.

	Hutterite children attend school, some only through the 9th grade, some graduate and a few will go to college to become teachers for their schools. The children all dress similar, girls in dresses with a head covering and boys with button down the front shirts and dark pants. Jewelry, make up and perfume are not allowed. Hutterisch is the first language children learn, in school they are also taught high German, which is used in church services, and English.

	Around the age of 15, children begin to assume adult responsibilities and apprentice under adults learning what they do, often trying out several jobs. 

	During leisure time the children work on crafts, play sports and visit other colonies. They love to sing but they do not use musical instruments. The use of televisions, radios or the Internet is forbidden.

The Society of Brothers 
	
	Another group now known as the Society of Brothers has bruderhofs in NY, PA, England and Australia. Twice in the twentieth century they have joined with the Hutterites of the West and twice they have separated. These communities started in Germany in 1920 under the leadership of Eberhart Arnold. Arnold sought out the Hutterites in America and they united. 

	The bruderhofs also live communally. They support themselves primarily through manufacturing. In fact, if you are in school right now take a look around at the wooden furniture, playthings, tables and even coat racks and you might see their Community Playthings trademark. They also make a line of handicap items under the name of Rifton 

Equipment. 

	The bruderhofs use musical instruments, but still do not have televisions, radios or the Internet. The families eat together as a family in the common dining hall, except for the youngest children. Children go to their own schools up until 8th grade and then to public school until they graduate from high school, some will continue their education to fill a specific need of the community. Children live with their parents but during the day are in the community daycare. Playing with their peers. They love nature, going on hikes, swimming in the summer, playing non-competitive sports, riding a community bicycle and playing on the playgrounds. They also love to sing, play instruments or act in skids.

Other Communal Groups

	The Anabaptists are definitely not the only communal group in existence. Today there are around 3,000 'intentional' communities around the world. These communities range in size from just a few people to several thousand people. Some are religious but many more are not. Communities are often formed around a central theme or themes, such as, the environment, activism, lifestyles, children, or helping others, to name just a few. Some have existed for a long time, while others are being formed as you read. Some share everything in common others only share expenses or ideals. 
	These are some of the famous communities that no longer exist: the Puritans, the Shakers, the Oneida community, the Amana communities and Ephrata Cloister. The kibbutz movement is very well known in Israel and they play an important part in Israel's economy. Anyone that lived through the 60's and 70's in the United States will remember the 'hippies' and the many communes they started, two of the more famous ones, Twin Oaks in Virginia and The Farm in Tennessee still exist. There maybe a community of some sort not far from where you live.
	My hope is that you will read more about community life, either in books or a search on the Internet (http://www.ic.org), either is a great place to start. Also if you get an opportunity to visit a community I encourage you do so. As you grow up you will be making choices about what you want to be, where you want to live and what you want to do, so I suggest you consider community as an option. I bet you could find a community that interests you or maybe someday you will start one. 

Timeline

1496	Menno Simons was born.

1517	Martin Luther posts his "95 Theses", questioning the practices of the Catholic Church.

1525	First adult baptism. Conrad Grebel baptized Georg Blaurock.

1527	Felix Manz becomes the first Anabaptist to be martyred when he is tied on the end of a pole and drown.
	Michael Sattler burned at the stake.

1528	Jacob Wiederman is leader of the group that became Hutterites.

1533	Jacob Hutter chosen as leader of the group that was given his name- Hutterites.

1536	Jacob Hutter is burned at the stake.
	Menno Simons joins the Anabaptist movement. 

1561	Menno Simons dies from natural causes. 

1620	Puritans founded Plymouth Colony

1660	Martyr's Mirror first published.

1693	Jacob Amman breaks from the Mennonites, group becomes known as the Amish.

1720-30s	Sizeable group of Amish settles in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

1774	Shaker's founded.

1848	Oneida Community.

1855	Amana Colonies established in Iowa.

1870's	Hutterites first settle in the United States.

1918	Hutterites move into Canada.

1920	Eberhart Arnold starts Darvell, the first bruderhof.

1967	Out of the 'Summer of Love' thousands of 'hippie' communes start, including Twin Oaks in Virginia. 

1971	'Hippies' from San Francisco traveled to Tennessee to start 'The Farm'.

About the Author (not updated)
	
	Jeffrey (Gombita) McKenzie was born in Meriden, Connecticut. He has traveled quite extensively in 44 states, living in Connecticut, Minnesota, New York and Kentucky. His travels have also taken him to 10 European countries, plus Israel, Egypt, Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica. He has traveled by automobile, plane, train, bus, bicycle and by foot. In 1999, he walked from Gasport, New York to Columbus, Ohio, a 400-mile trek.

	Some of this time was spent visiting various Anabaptists communities in seven states before settling in for a short time, with an Old Order Mennonite community in Kentucky. During the early part of 2000, he visited several 'intentional' communities in four states and became a provisional member at East Wind in Missouri.

	In May 2001 he completed his AS degree at Genesee Community College in New York. In the fall of 2001, he will experience dorm life at SUNY Brockport in New York studying  Anthropology and Journalism.

	This is his first book but his writings and emails have been a source of entertainment and controversy to his family  and friends over the years. He strongly believes in the saying, 'when in Rome do as the Romans do', convinced it is the best way to learn about other people and cultures.