View source for Congregational Orders and Church Disciplines (Gemeindeordnungen)

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Throughout history, Christian communities have produced rules, regulations, disciplines and ordinances as a way of providing spiritual, moral and practical guidance for their adherents. Unlike [[Confessions, Doctrinal|confessions of faith]] that tend to focus on doctrinal matters, congregational orders are mostly attentive to daily moral and practical concerns. Among groups associated with the [[Anabaptism|Anabaptist]] tradition, the [[Hutterian Brethren (Hutterische Brüder)|Hutterites]] have been the most prolific in adopting congregational orders, but other Anabaptist groups have also used them to orient and manage communal affairs.

The first known congregational order in Anabaptism was adopted sometime in the 1520s by the Swiss. Some scholars have linked this Order in time and place with the [[Schleitheim Confession|Schleitheim Confession]] of 1527, but there is evidence suggesting that it may have pre-dated Schleitheim. As early as 1525, conditions described in the Order existed in the village of [[Zollikon (Switzerland)|Zollikon]] and the region of [[St. Gall (Switzerland)|St. Gall]]. Similar conditions were also present in the territory of [[Appenzell (Switzerland)|Appenzell]] in 1528 and 1529.

The Order contains seven articles that may be summarized as follows: 1) Brother and sisters are required to meet 3 or 4 times a week for mutual exhortation. 2) When they read Scripture together, the one with the best understanding should take responsibility in explaining the meaning of the text. The Psalter should be read at home. 3) Proper conduct is expected at worship and in the context of the world. 4) When a brother has erred, he should be admonished according to the command of Christ, as everyone is obliged to do, out of love. 5) Christians should hold all things in common. 6) Gluttony is to be avoided. 7) The [[Lord’s Supper, Anabaptist Interpretations|Lord’s Supper]] should be held whenever the community is together for the purposes of proclamation and remembering how Christ gave himself for us, so that we might also be willing to give of ourselves for the sake of Christ and others.

The over-arching theme of the Order is unity and love expressed in the context of an egalitarian community that stands in contrast to the wider world. While some form of leadership in the Order is not ruled out, it is assumed that the reading of scripture and the practice of admonition is the responsibility of the entire community. The practice of social-levelling is also extended to the economic sphere according to the example of the early church as described in Acts 2 and Acts 4, where the Christian community are said to have had [[Community of Goods|all things in common]].

In the past, Free-Church and Mennonite historians have tended to associate the practice of community of goods with the Hutterite movement, but the mandate to practice economic sharing in this congregational order suggests that the custom was already present among the Swiss prior to the beginning of the Hutterite movement. The Swiss received their inspiration from the [[New Testament|New Testament]], but they were undoubtedly also shaped by peasant aspirations which at the time were also advocating new approaches to economic sharing.

Not long after this first Order was produced, a second Order emerged containing a total of 12 articles. It found its way into Hutterite codices in [[Moravia (Czech Republic)|Moravia]], although the details surrounding the transmission remain uncertain. Given that it includes a unique reference to “the Gospel of all Creatures”--a teaching stemming from the writings of [[Hut, Hans (d. 1527)|Hans Hut]]--it is possible that it was used by a group under the influence of Hut, which then established itself in [[Austerlitz (Jihomoravský kraj, Czech Republic)|Austerlitz]], Moravia, in 1528. In terms of content, it is evident that this second Order is a revised and expanded version of the first. However, it assumes a more developed congregational life and leadership structure, and also adds an apocalyptic element, calling the faithful to join Christ when he returns and thereby escape the coming punishment.

A third congregational order emerged during this time period bearing [[Scharnschlager, Leupold (d. 1563)|Leupold Scharnschlager’s]] name, and like the aforementioned document, it appears to be a revision of the first Order while reflecting a more developed leadership structure. Some scholars have concluded that it came from [[Strasbourg (Alsace, France)|Strasbourg]] in 1528; others have suggested a somewhat later date, possibly the early 1540s. Its title, “Gemeinsame Ordnung der Glieder Christ in sieben Artikeln gestellt” (“Common Order of the Members of Christ set in Seven Articles”), suggests that it provided direction for a number of Anabaptist groups. It likely embodied some of the main organizational principles of [[Marpeck, Pilgram (d. 1556)|Pilgram Marpeck’s]] circle and may have also been used by Moravian congregations associated with Marpeck.

One of its unique features is that the practice of community of goods is no longer considered binding. Moreover, it does not mention that the community should meet 3 or 4 times weekly as the other Orders do. While the faithful are reminded that they should not neglect regular fellowship, some allowances are made for those traveling at great distances. These revisions suggest that community practices in Anabaptism during this time period were still adaptable and subject to changing social circumstances, and that they were not yet solidified by the weight of tradition.

In the north German and Dutch context, Anabaptists in 1554 also produced a congregational order, the “[[Wismar Resolutions|Resolutions at Wismar]]” (<em>Besluyt tot Wismar</em>, or sometimes <em>Bespreck van Wismar)</em>. Several prominent Anabaptist leaders were at the conference to produce this Order of nine articles—[[Menno Simons (1496-1561)|Menno Simons]], [[Dirk Philips (1504-1568)|Dirk Philips]], [[Bouwens, Leenaert (1515-1582)|Leenaert Bouwens]], [[Gillis van Aken (ca. 1500-1557)|Gillis van Aken]], [[Herman van Tielt (16th century)|Herman van Tielt]], [[Busschaert, Hans Bouwens (16th century)|Hans Busschaert]], and [[Hoyte Riencx (d. after 1600)|Hoyte Riencx]]. The first five articles deal with matters pertaining to the practice of [[Avoidance (1953)|shunning]] or avoidance. The sixth article addresses the matter of whether young believers require the consent of their parents if they wish to marry. The seventh discusses whether believers have a right to demand just payment for debts. The eighth addresses the conditions and limits for bearing arms, and the final article explains the qualifications of those who preach or teach in the congregation. The articles were printed in [[Amsterdam (Noord-Holland, Netherlands)|Amsterdam]] in the same year, and have also been printed at various times since.

One of the overall objectives of the conference at Wismar was to resolve differences having to do with [[Discipline, Church|church discipline]], but the resolutions were not fully embraced by all Anabaptist groups. In the [[Waterland (Noord-Holland, Netherlands)|Waterland district]] of [[North Holland (Netherlands)|North Holland]], for example, a branch of Dutch Anabaptists, the [[Waterlanders|Waterlanders]], pursued a more tolerant approach. Likewise, in the 1550s, Anabaptists that met at Strasbourg articulated more lenient views.

In 1568, Anabaptists met in Strasbourg and produced a 23-article Discipline which was then ratified in 1607. It bears the name “Abrede und Verordnung der Diener und Eltesten in der Versammlung zu Straβburg.” This document, sometimes referred to in the English language as the [[Strasbourg Discipline]], may come closest to resembling a kind of [[Ministers' Manuals|Minister’s Manual]] (of which there are many among the Mennonites and the [[Amish Mennonites|Amish]]). The Discipline does not tell us which groups might have adopted it; we are only informed that there were Southerners at the conference. It is possible that they were [[Swiss Brethren|Swiss Brethren]] and Anabaptists from the upper Rhine region.

The 23 articles of the Discipline deal with largely practical issues such as the duties and privileges of ministers and bishops, and procedures pertaining to the [[Communion|breaking of bread]], the care of orphans, regulations at congregational meetings, and church discipline. Some articles also take up matters having to do with [[Economics|economics]], [[Marriage|marriage]], and [[Simplicity (1958)|simplicity]]. One article refers to the [[Christology|incarnation]], one addresses the matter of restricting the [[Kiss, Holy|holy kiss]] to fellow church members, and another deals with rules about catching or shooting game.

Overall, the Discipline attempts to give leaders direction on a wide range of practical matters. These directives seem to have found resonance elsewhere. Over the centuries, the Discipline has been taken up by various groups. It has been transmitted in handwritten form and adopted by Swiss and South German Mennonites at [[Obersülzen (Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany)|Obersülzen]] and [[Offstein (Rheinhessen, Germany)|Offstein]] (1688). It has also been adopted among the Amish in North America. The extent to which this Order was in use among the Amish is an important question that has not yet been fully researched.

See also [[Ordnung (Order)|Ordnung (Order)]]; [[Gemeindeordnungen (Hutterite Brethren)|Gemeindeordnungen (Hutterite Brethren)]]
= Bibliography =
<h3>Primary</h3>
Packull, Werner O. <em>Hutterite Beginnings: Communitarian Experiments During the Reformation</em>. Baltimore, Md. : Johns Hopkins University Press, 1995. This is the most important work for an introduction to the earliest congregational orders.

<h3>Secondary</h3>

Bender, Harold S. “The Discipline Adopted by the Strasburg Conference of 1568.” ''Mennonite Quarterly Review'' 1, no. 1 (January 1927): 57-66.

Bender, Harold S. and Gerhard Hein. "Straβburger Konferenzen." ''Mennonitisches Lexikon'', 4 vols. Frankfurt &amp; Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe: Schneider, 1913-1967: v. 4, 255-256;

Blaupot ten Cate, S. <em>Geschiedenis der Doopsgezinden in Groningen, Overijssel en Oost-Friesland</em>. Leeuwarden, 1842: I.

Stephen Boyd, Pilgram Marpeck: His Life and Social Theology (Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1992);

The Chronicle of the Hutterian Brethren 1525-1665, vol. 1 (Rifton, New York: Plough Publishing House, 1986);

S. Cramer and F. Pijper, Bibliotheca Reformatoria Neerlandica VII (S-Gravenhage: Martinus Nijhoff, 1910);

“Dienerversammlung,” Feb 20, 1939 in Artikel und Ordnungen der Christlichen Gemeinde in Christo Jesu (Bronson, Mich, O.A. Graber, 1974): 28-29;

Heinold Fast, ed., Der Linke Flügel der Reformation: Glaubenszeugnisse der Täufer, Spiritualisten, Schwärmer und Antitrinitarier (Bremen: Carl Schünemann Verlag, 1962);

Heinold Fast and Martin Rothkegel, eds., Briefe und Schriften oberdeutscher Täufer 1527-1555.

Das ‘Kunstbuch’ des Jörg Probst Rotenfelder gen. Maler. Quellen und Forschungen zur Reformationsgeschichte 78. (Gütersloher Verlagshaus. 2007);

Friedmann, Robert. “[[Gemeindeordnungen (Hutterite Brethren)|Gemeindeordnungen]].” <em>The Mennonite Encyclopedia : a Comprehensive Reference Work on the Anabaptist-Mennonite movement.</em> Hillsboro, KS, etc.; Mennonite Brethren Pub. House, etc., 1955-1959, 1990: v. 2, 454-455.

Friedmann, Robert. “The Oldest Church Discipline of the Anabaptists.” ''Mennonite Quarterly Review'' 29, no. 2 (April 1955): 162-166.

Friedmann, Robert. “Correction.” ''Mennonite Quarterly Review'' 32, no. 3 (July 1958): 237-238.

Gratz, Delbert L. <em>Bernese Anabaptists and their American descendants.</em> Goshen, IN: Mennonite Historical Society, 1953. Reprinted Elverson, PA: Old Springfield Shoppe, 1994.

Haas, Martin, ed. <em>Quellen zur Geschichte der Täufer in der Schweiz, III. Band: Bern, Aargau</em>. 1974. Zürich, 2008: 487-488.

Hostetler, John A. <em>Hutterite Society</em>. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1974.

McGrath, William R. <em>Christlicher Ordnung or Christian Discipline: Being a Collection and Translation of Anabaptist and Amish-Mennonite Church Disciplines.</em> Aylmer, Ont. : Pathway Publishers, 1966.

Müller, Ernst. <em>Geschichte der Bernischen Täufer</em>. Frauenfeld: Huber, 1895. Reprinted Nieuwkoop : B. de Graaf, 1972.

Oyer, John S. “The Strasbourg Conferences of the Anabaptists.” ''Mennonite Quarterly Review'' 53, no. 3 (July 1984): 218-229.

Rempel, John D., ed., <em>Jörg Maler’s Kunstbuch: Writings of the Pilgram Marpeck Circle</em>. Kitchener, ON: Pandora Press, 2010.

Roth, John D. “Marpeck and the Later Swiss Brethren, 1540-1700,” in <em>A Companion to Anabaptism and Spiritualism, 1521-1700</em>. Leiden and Boston, Brill, 2007: 347-388.

Scott, Tom and Bob Scriber, eds and trans. <em>The German Peasants’ War: A History of Documents.</em> New Jersey and London: Humanities Press International, Inc, 1991.

Séguy, Jean. “Les trios plus anciennes disciplines de l’Anabaptisme.” <em>Christ Seul</em> (January 1967): 13-16 and (February 1967): 5-7.

Stayer, James M. <em>Anabaptists and the Sword.</em> 2nd ed. Lawrence: Coronado Press, 1976.

Stayer, James M. <em>The German Peasants’ War and Anabaptist Community of Goods</em>. Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1994.

Umble, John. “Research on the Amish and Source Materials for the Study of the Amish.” ''Mennonite Quarterly Review'' 25, no. 2 (July 1951): 128-132.

Vos, Karel. <em>Menno Simons, 1496-1561, zijn leven en werken en zijne reformatorische denkbeelden.</em> Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1914.

Williams, George. <em>The Radical Reformation.</em> Kirksville, Mo: Sixteenth Century Journal Publishers, 1992.

Yoder, John H., ed. and trans. <em>The Legacy of Michael Sattler</em>. Classics of the Radical Reformation 1. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1973.

<strong></strong>Zieglschmid, A. J. F. <em>Die älteste Chronik der Hutterischen Brüder: Ein Sprachdenkmal aus frühneuhochdeutscher Zeit.</em> Ithaca: Cayuga Press, 1943: 83-85.

Zijpp, Nanne van der. <em>Mennonite Encyclopedia</em> IV, “[[Wismar Resolutions|Wismar Resolutions]].”
= Additional Information =
This article is based on the original English essay that was written for the <span class="link-external">[http://www.mennlex.de/doku.php Mennonitisches Lexikon (MennLex)]</span> and has been made available to GAMEO with permission. The German version of this article is available at <span class="link-external">[http://www.mennlex.de/doku.php http://www.mennlex.de/doku.php?id=top:gemeindeordnungen]</span>
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