If you were to ask me what religious denomination is growing in the United States, I would have guessed the Pentecostals. Well, my guess is wrong. The fastest growing religious group in America is the Amish.
You know the Amish, right? They are the folks who live on farms, refuse to use electricity and other modern amenities, and live in close-knit communities up in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
I know them well because my mother had always been obsessed with the Amish and their simple way of life. I remember when I was a child, we took a trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to experience Amish life first hand. I was enthralled with the old-fashioned wooden gizmos they used to work, cook, and play. Their horse-drawn buggies were a sight to see, and their hats made me laugh.
That they are growing at an alarming rate–nearly doubling their population every twenty years according to a recent article in the Huffington Post–is not suprising. The Amish value children, and they insure that those children are well-educated and inculturated into the Amish way of life.
That way of life makes for a healthy upbringing because they eat what they grow, consume what they make, and “want not because they waste not.” There is a spiritual lesson to learn in there somewhere.
The fact that they do not have laptops, cell phones, IPods, and televisions means that they have to focus on other things in life that are much more important in the long run: family and faith come to mind. The Amish have to rely on one another for entertainment and recreation; they are forced to do things together in community in order to accomplish goals and make a way for future generations.
And, because they don’t have car payments or credit card bills, the Amish have more money to spend on things that mean something, like land and family keepsakes. They are well connected and complain little about what the government says or does (unlike popular belief, the Amish do pay taxes like everyone else). They buy local, sell quality products, and go to church regularly.
Of course faith is a central aspect of being Amish. The name “Amish” comes from a French Mennonite leader, Jacob Amman, who believed that Mennonites were too relaxed in areas related to church discipline and worship. In 1693 he formed the first Christian community that gained his moniker.
Today, those communities are expanding to meet the needs of flourishing families and a hearty grassroots economy. Thus their religion’s record-setting growth.
The Amish, as separatist as they are, reminds me of the communities from which John the Baptist emerged. All four Gospels agree that John came “from the wilderness” preaching the kingdom and the coming Messiah that would revive Israel’s faith and lead a new exodus to God’s liberating freedom.
That he came from the wilderness implies that he probably learned his way of faith from separatist communities like the Essenes, those who wrote and preserved the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The communities were places of refuge for Israelites sick of the corruption of the Jerusalem Temple system and the occupation of the pagan Roman Empire.
John’s preaching had that kind of Amish ethical bite to it as he preached against the Temple and her leaders. John came to “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!” (Mark 1:2) as he called people to repentance, baptized them in the Jordan river, and advocated a faith built upon principles of simplicity and spiritual revival.
It’s that “preparing” that I think we lose in our media-saturated, technology-driven society. We have become so consumed by our to-do and to-buy lists, we have forgotten to let the Lord into our lives Monday through Saturday. We don’t let God in, much less prepare our hearts for His arrival.
Despite my appreciation for the Amish, I certainly would not volunteer to live without electricity; but, the Bible does say that Jesus “stands at the door and knocks” (Rev. 3:20). An Amish-inspired simplicity forces us to prepare room for God, hear the knock, and open the door.
Baptist Spirituality 
My husband and I regularly worship with a group of “born again” Amish people in a small church in a western mountain valley. Even though these families have left their Old Order communities back east, they still retain their characteristic simplicity and humility. There is no paid clergy, no slick worship team, no comfy pews, no order of service, and no bulletins. Just a sincere group of believers who take delight in fellowshipping and learning together. I have learned much from these un-seminaried people. It is the most peaceful church I have ever attended and I don’t want to ever go back to a modern evangelical setting.
The fact that every once in a while they call us on Saturday to let us know that Sunday church has been canceled (usually due to family commitments) always warms my heart. That, to me, is not a breach of commitment, but rather, a testimony to the fact that their relationship with God does not hinge on church. They feel close to Him all week.
I enjoyed this post, especially the comparison with John the Baptist. Thank you!
Thank you for the good word, Willow!