Editing Church of the Brethren (section)

== Beliefs ==

=== Noncreedalism ===

The Brethren have "no [[creed]]", but embrace the entire [[New Testament]] as their "rule of faith and practice".  If a single part of the New Testament is most pointed to as a guide for members' lives, it is the [[Sermon on the Mount]]. The early Brethren were very meticulous in applying the New Testament to every situation. For example, they baptize in a forward direction because "we are baptized into his death", and at the moment of his death, Jesus' head fell forward.

When disagreements arise regarding the correct interpretation of New Testament passages or general congregation issues, local congregations go to their regional district conference for resolution. If necessary, the final authority for settling such disputes is the Annual Conference. The minutes of Annual Conference give a clear picture of what matters have been in dispute and how Brethren interpret the New Testament. However, some congregations accept or even encourage individual interpretation of the Bible and their faith.

In keeping with egalitarianism and respect for the individual, evangelism in the Church of the Brethren is practiced by personal demonstration of faith via good works in the world community, and by nonconfrontational witnessing.

Brethren espouse the basic beliefs of Christianity, such as the [[divinity]] of Christ. They emphasize [[peace]], [[Simple living|simplicity]], the equality of believers, and consistent obedience to Christ, and community discernment of scripture. Community, both within and without the church, is promoted, and Brethren often describe themselves in terms of what they do, rather than what they believe, which is consistent with their notion of a lived faith. Brethren also affirm that "faith without works is dead", and are heavily involved in disaster relief and other charitable works.

=== Peace ===
The Church of the Brethren is one of the historic [[peace churches]], which includes Quakers, Amish, Apostolic and Mennonite churches. This is because two of the Brethren's fundamental beliefs are nonviolent resolution of conflict and nonresistance to evil, which they combine with antiwar and peace efforts around the world. The church's commitment to love the enemy and use nonviolence is summarized in its phrase, "all war is sin" (Annual Conference, 1935), and the fact that many Brethren have refused to engage in military service.

During the [[American Revolution]] and the [[American Civil War]], Brethren required their members to abstain from military service, believing that obedience to Christ precluded such involvements. Until the early 20th century, Brethren baptismal applicants were required to promise that they would uphold the church's teaching about "being defenseless". During the Second World War, Brethren worked with the government to create a system of alternative service, which would allow conscientious objectors to serve their nation and humanity through nonviolent service. [[Civilian Public Service]] was a result of the three historic peace churches collaborating with the U.S. government. While the government provided tools and materials and their work was managed by agencies such as the Soil Conservation or Forest Service,  "the historic peace churches funded all the expenses for the men, including food, administrative costs, and a tiny monthly stipend of $2.50" ({{Inflation|US|2.5|1941|r=0|fmt=eq}}).<ref name="google43">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_9WTtr8EL74C&q=editions&pg=PA43 |title=The Amish and the State |author=Donald B. Kraybill |page=43 |date=May 28, 2003 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=9780801872365 |access-date=November 15, 2015}}</ref> Alternative service has evolved into Brethren Volunteer Service, a church agency that places many young people and some older persons in volunteer human-service jobs, usually for a one-year term.

Despite the church's official stance, there are many members of the Church of the Brethren that do not agree with pacifism. This was made particularly evident when, during the Second World War 80% of young Brethren draftees entered active duty in the military.<ref>{{cite book|author=Carl F Bowman|title=Brethren Society: The Cultural Transformation of a Peculiar People|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|year=1995|page=467}}. See also {{cite book|author=Donald F Durnbaugh|title=Fruit of the Vine: A History of the Brethren 1708–1995|publisher=Brethren Press|year=1997|page=474}}</ref> Recent national surveys of the Brethren suggest that only a minority of the current membership views military service as wrong.<ref>Bowman, Carl (1987). ''A Profile of the Church of the Brethren''. Elgin, IL: Brethren Press.  See also Bowman, Carl (2008), ''Portrait of a People: The Church of the Brethren at 300''. Elgin, IL: Brethren Press.</ref>

=== Priesthood of all believers ===
Brethren follow a nonhierarchical pattern of church life. In the past, most congregations were served by multiple "free" ministers, elected by their own congregations, who supported themselves through other occupations. Today, most congregations have paid pastors, but their function is still somewhat limited, with the [[laity]] still taking a very active role in ministerial work.

=== Simplicity ===
Brethren have been urged (and in earlier times compelled) to live a relatively simple lifestyle. At various points in their history, Brethren have been prohibited or discouraged from attending fairs and carnivals, swearing oaths, driving motorized vehicles, attending secular colleges, joining [[secret societies]], filing lawsuits, gambling, and using tobacco or alcoholic beverages.

Simplicity, or nonconformity as it was called until the early 20th century, was once very noticeable in Brethren dress and grooming. Men wore black coats with no collar, and hooks instead of buttons (often referred to as Brethren garb or dressing "in the order"). They would wear beards, but no mustaches. The mustache was seen as a sign of the saloon or the military. Also, the beards were cut in a manner to avoid interference with the [[kiss of peace]]. In addition, they wore broad-brimmed black hats.

Women wore long dresses in dark colors, and a  white [[kapp (headcovering)|kapp]]—a [[Christian head covering|prayer covering]]. Today, Brethren garb is still worn in the most conservative congregations, although some men dress in a simple style by wearing a collared shirt in a single color without a tie, while women in these congregations may continue to practice the use of a prayer covering.<ref name="Bronner2015">{{cite book |last1=Bronner |first1=Simon J. |title=Encyclopedia of American Folklife |date=4 March 2015 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-317-47194-3 |language=en |quote=Only a tiny minority within the Church of the Brethren continues some vestigates of plain dress, such as the prayer covering for women. The Old German Baptist Brethren and the Dunkard Brethren, however, have maintained standards of traditional plain dress.}}</ref> The traditional Brethren [[plain dress]] is very similar to the clothing of the present-day [[Amish]]. The [[Dunkard Brethren Church]], formed in 1926 by conservative members of Church of the Brethren, continues to preserve the traditional Brethren practice of plain dress<ref name="Bronner2015"/> as do the Old German Baptist Brethren who withdrew during the 1880s.

Most Brethren were well-acculturated by the second half of the 20th century. Today, many members of the church take simplicity to mean living a more ecologically friendly lifestyle by consuming less and being aware of the effect of their choices on the earth and other people (see [[simple living]]).  In many respects, twenty-first century Brethren lifestyles mirror the lifestyles of their non-Brethren neighbors.

=== Social issues ===
Like many mainline denominations, the Church of the Brethren has been debating issues related to human sexuality. In 2002, the Michigan District licensed and ordained an openly gay pastor, making it the first district to do so in the denomination.<ref>{{cite web|title=RNS Gay Brethren|url=http://archives.religionnews.com/beliefs/belief/christian-protestant/P13320|website=archives.religionnews.com|publisher=Religion News Service|access-date=April 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427105315/http://archives.religionnews.com/beliefs/belief/christian-protestant/P13320|archive-date=April 27, 2016}}</ref> However, in 2003, the Annual Conference voted to reject the ordination of openly gay and lesbian pastors.

Since then, however, several congregations within the denomination have publicly announced their support for same-sex marriage and openly LGBT clergy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Current Members of Supportive Communities Network|url=http://www.bmclgbt.org/#!currentscn/ceqb|website=bmclgbt.org|publisher=Brethren Mennonite Council|access-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref> In 2012, the Church of the Brethren adopted a resolution opposing same-sex marriage, but some congregations protested the resolution<ref>{{cite web|last1=Barr|first1=Cameron|last2=Campbell|first2=Kristen|title=Reconciling Narrow Minds with Open Hearts|url=http://laverne.edu/laverne-magazine/2012/05/reconciling-narrow-minds-with-open-hearts/|website=laverne.edu|publisher=La Verne Magazine|access-date=April 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426015203/http://laverne.edu/laverne-magazine/2012/05/reconciling-narrow-minds-with-open-hearts/|archive-date=April 26, 2016}}</ref> and some voted to begin performing same-gender marriages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goshennews.com/news/goshen-church-votes-sunday-to-allow-same-sex-marriages/article_625255b6-2046-11e6-a47a-4b7081dc1cef.html|title=Goshen church votes Sunday to allow same-sex marriages|first=Sherry |last=Van Arsdall |website=Goshen News|date=May 22, 2016 |access-date=June 15, 2016}}</ref> Some congregations also publicly welcome transgender members.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://northviewcob.org/partners/|title=Partners in Ministry|publisher=Northview Church of the Brethren|access-date=June 15, 2016}}</ref> In 2018, the Atlantic Northeast District rejected a proposal to terminate the credentials of clergy who perform a same-sex marriage because the vote did not receive the necessary two-thirds majority.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.brethren.org/news/2018/atlantic-northeast-district-conference.html|title=Atlantic Northeast District rejects|website=Church of the Brethren|access-date=2019-03-29|archive-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329215130/http://www.brethren.org/news/2018/atlantic-northeast-district-conference.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Northern Ohio District did approve a policy to terminate the clergy credentials of those pastors who perform same-sex marriage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.brethren.org/news/2018/districts-consider-policies.html|title=Districts consider policies on same-sex marriage|website=Church of the Brethren|date=October 5, 2018 |access-date=2019-03-29}}</ref> Virginia's Shenandoah District has similarly withdrawn ordination from ministers who would perform same-sex marriages.

Official church statements oppose abortion while committing to "develop constructive, creative alternatives".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1984abortion.html|title=1984 Abortion|website=www.brethren.org|access-date=June 15, 2016|archive-date=August 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807135926/http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1984abortion.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>