Comments on A Process Driven Life: Worldlings and the Amish

Thank you so much Michael for your reply. I had w...

2007-10-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much Michael for your reply. I had wondered if the ordung was something that was written out and everyone signed. How much better to have these "rules" written on one's heart instead.

God's many blessings to you and the brethren there!

Debbie

Debbie,I neglected to answer your second question ...

2007-10-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

Debbie,

I neglected to answer your second question concerning who helps to establish the rules, the whole community, or just the elders.

Our community has agreed that the authority given by Christ to the Church is vested in each individual member. We believe that authority is then vested in elders (who each must, themselves, be under authority as well). The way this works with the ordnung, then, is that we all discuss things and events and how we ought to deal with them. We take suggestions about possible rules, and we discuss tendencies in ourselves and in our community. Most of our rules are established by mutual consent during group fellowships as we sit around and discuss life and living. However, like in a family or in a marriage, there must be a final decision made concerning the rules and how they are applied, and those decisions are made by unanimously elected elders. I must repeat that each elder is also under authority, and is answerable for his conduct, and is subject to rebuke, chastisement, correction, and punishment.

This is how the ordnung is established and maintained in our community.

Thanks for the question,

Michael Bunker

Our ordnung is currently undergoing some changes a...

2007-10-22T07:06:00.000-07:00

Our ordnung is currently undergoing some changes and additions, and will continue to change so long as we exist as a community. The ordnung is unwritten, much as the "rules" of a family or a marriage are unwritten. The principles are well known and often discussed, and are binding on all who willfully choose to remain in fellowship with us.

Also, in reference to what I said in the post about the ordnung being separate from Biblical law, it needs to be understood that often the ordnung expresses our understanding of the law - such as in our women desiring to wear headcoverings.

Primarily our ordnung covers things like modesty and "plainness" in dress for both men and women. Some of these are well known publicly (such as headcoverings and long dresses or skirts for the women, appropriate and modest clothing for men, appropriate swim clothing, etc.).

We have very strict rules regarding behavior between men and women, such as: No man or woman is allowed to be alone with a person of the opposite sex who is not his spouse... period. We have general guidelines concerning our interactions with the "world", such as our work relationships, etc. We have community work days, Ranchfest, etc. We have rules which deal with our interactions with one another in the community, and securing the authority of the father, the man, or head of household over his own family and property. Our rules very specifically lay out the forms of government and recognize the proper authority and realms of authority, and they provide for ways to deal with conflict, error, rebuke, chastisement, correction, etc.

Our rules are changing and always will be changing as we draw closer to Christ, and as we learn more about how to properly guide ourselves through the dangers and morass of modern living.

Personally, I like rules. I like to be governed by them, and, like a small child, I find comfort in stricter living - because I am ever aware of the nature of my carnal heart.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bunker

Michael,Would you be willing to share the ordnung ...

2007-10-19T05:01:00.000-07:00

Michael,

Would you be willing to share the ordnung of the Christian community there in Santa Anna?

Also, does everyone in the community help to establish the ordnung or is it the elders?

Thanks!