Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark Page A
Authors: Mindy Starns Clark
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25
BAPTISM
Where do the Amish learn about their beliefs? Do they have Sunday school, Training Union, or something similar?
The only formal religious instruction that most Amish ever receive are the classes that prepare them for baptism. These special classes are held every other Sunday for eight or nine sessions total and are taught by the bishop and the ministers. Students who complete all sessions in a satisfactory manner are then eligible for membership in the Amish church.
What is the process for getting baptized?
When a young person decides he wants to be baptized, he presents himself for the first of eight or nine classes that will be taught over the course of several months. Baptisms occur only once a year, so many parents of teens hold their breath, waiting to see if their children are among those who choose to attend the class. If not, their children will have another year of Rumspringa before their next opportunity arises to do so.
How important is it to Amish parents that their children join the church?
Itâs very important. In fact, many Amish consider themselves successful parents only if their children join the church.
At what age are the Amish baptized?
Most candidates for baptism are in their late teens or early twenties.
What do they learn in the baptism classes?
The classes primarily focus on the Dordrecht Confession of Faith, a document written in 1632 that espouses the key beliefs of Anabaptism. Candidates learn in depth about each of the documentâs 18 articles and in many cases will also be taught the specifics of their own local Ordnung . During the months that candidates are attending these every-other-Sunday classes, they are expected to eliminate all trappings of Rumspringa from their lives, which means selling their cars, getting rid of their English clothes, giving up technological devices, growing out their hair, and so on. In some districts, they must quit attending secular weekend parties by the third session in order to move into full compliance with the Ordnung .
Are they under a lot of pressure to follow through and get baptized?
Yes and no. Certainly, family and community members may exert significant pressure and expectation. On the other hand, throughout the preparation process the attendees are asked repeatedly if they are sure that this is what they want. In fact, each session begins with the youth stating, âI am a seeker desiring to be part of this church of God.â The Amish strongly emphasize informed, voluntary adult baptism. So in a sense there is pressure in both directions.
What happens to those who decide not to go through with the classes or baptism?
Candidates who are hesitant, rebellious, or too questioning may decide they were not ready after all and drop out of the classesâperhaps just until the next year, when they will be more certain of their decision.
What if they know for certain theyâre done for good, that they will not be joining the Amish church now or in the future? What happens to them?
They are not shunned, but neither are they treated as adults in the Amish community. Essentially, they live in a sort of in-between world,where their ultimate choice is either to leave for good or to stay and become baptized.
How about the ones who decide to go through with the course of classes? What happens for them?
Those who make it to the end have one final session (which includes their parents), the day before baptism Sunday, where once again they are asked if they are certain they want to proceed. At this point, the male candidates are also asked if they are willing to serve in the ministry if they are ever chosen by lot.
What happens on the day of the baptism?
Baptism is usually held on the same Sunday as the fall communion service. Candidates take vows and then kneel in front of the bishop, who confirms their vows and baptizes them one by one. Amish baptism is done by the bishop placing his cupped hands on each head as
25
BAPTISM
Where do the Amish learn about their beliefs? Do they have Sunday school, Training Union, or something similar?
The only formal religious instruction that most Amish ever receive are the classes that prepare them for baptism. These special classes are held every other Sunday for eight or nine sessions total and are taught by the bishop and the ministers. Students who complete all sessions in a satisfactory manner are then eligible for membership in the Amish church.
What is the process for getting baptized?
When a young person decides he wants to be baptized, he presents himself for the first of eight or nine classes that will be taught over the course of several months. Baptisms occur only once a year, so many parents of teens hold their breath, waiting to see if their children are among those who choose to attend the class. If not, their children will have another year of Rumspringa before their next opportunity arises to do so.
How important is it to Amish parents that their children join the church?
Itâs very important. In fact, many Amish consider themselves successful parents only if their children join the church.
At what age are the Amish baptized?
Most candidates for baptism are in their late teens or early twenties.
What do they learn in the baptism classes?
The classes primarily focus on the Dordrecht Confession of Faith, a document written in 1632 that espouses the key beliefs of Anabaptism. Candidates learn in depth about each of the documentâs 18 articles and in many cases will also be taught the specifics of their own local Ordnung . During the months that candidates are attending these every-other-Sunday classes, they are expected to eliminate all trappings of Rumspringa from their lives, which means selling their cars, getting rid of their English clothes, giving up technological devices, growing out their hair, and so on. In some districts, they must quit attending secular weekend parties by the third session in order to move into full compliance with the Ordnung .
Are they under a lot of pressure to follow through and get baptized?
Yes and no. Certainly, family and community members may exert significant pressure and expectation. On the other hand, throughout the preparation process the attendees are asked repeatedly if they are sure that this is what they want. In fact, each session begins with the youth stating, âI am a seeker desiring to be part of this church of God.â The Amish strongly emphasize informed, voluntary adult baptism. So in a sense there is pressure in both directions.
What happens to those who decide not to go through with the classes or baptism?
Candidates who are hesitant, rebellious, or too questioning may decide they were not ready after all and drop out of the classesâperhaps just until the next year, when they will be more certain of their decision.
What if they know for certain theyâre done for good, that they will not be joining the Amish church now or in the future? What happens to them?
They are not shunned, but neither are they treated as adults in the Amish community. Essentially, they live in a sort of in-between world,where their ultimate choice is either to leave for good or to stay and become baptized.
How about the ones who decide to go through with the course of classes? What happens for them?
Those who make it to the end have one final session (which includes their parents), the day before baptism Sunday, where once again they are asked if they are certain they want to proceed. At this point, the male candidates are also asked if they are willing to serve in the ministry if they are ever chosen by lot.
What happens on the day of the baptism?
Baptism is usually held on the same Sunday as the fall communion service. Candidates take vows and then kneel in front of the bishop, who confirms their vows and baptizes them one by one. Amish baptism is done by the bishop placing his cupped hands on each head as
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