More on the Holdeman Mennonites
Note: It is not my intention to uphold, support or promote any Mennonite group above another; I sincerely respect the contribution of each branch of Mennonites to the country as a whole, whether financial or spiritual. That said, I will explain some more about the Holdemans since I have probably observed them more than any other group of conservative Mennonites.
To start, like I mentioned before, their focus is first on the spiritual life. Baptism, the new birth, communion and feet washing are fundamental in their church. Shunning as known among the Amish, Old Order and Old Colonists is not practiced among them. Excommunication is the word used and practiced by them, it is decided by the whole congregation of that area after holding members-only meetings, and the severity of it depends on the congregation, but the expelled person is still invited to attend church, and is not excluded from gatherings. (This is not just in Belize; in my travels throughout North and Central America, I have observed the method of expelling is often the same.)
They are like the Old Colonists in that they do not accept certain technology but only to a certain extent; radio, tape players, use of cameras, TV, social media and others are not exactly forbidden, they are discouraged with the belief that it is detrimental to spiritual life. However, the Holdemans, like all other conservative Mennonites, are encountering a problem now: the smartphone. This small palm held gadget is bringing everything in one. Camera, Internet, social media, online shopping, recorder, radio, TV, pornography.
They are like the Kliene Gemeinde in style of dressing; I've described that before.
They are also like the Beachy and Conservative Mennonites in their views of Bible doctrines, except the Beachy and Conservatives are more liberal with the use of technology and social media.
It is perhaps the most interesting group I've studied so far. Interesting not because of funny customs or wierd traditions, but because they claim to be the only church that is the closest to Biblical doctrines. In no way am I implying that they are the right kind of Mennonites; they, like other Mennonite groups, have had their share of scandals, regional and worldwide, though it may never make headline news as often as some other Mennonites.
A Spanish hymnal published by the Holdemans in Moundridge, Kansas. This translation contains only about 400 songs; the English original version has over 600 and is used among other conservative Mennonite groups as well.
The second most important book in the Holdeman religion. It contains and explains their understanding of the Bible but does not specify dress code, etiquette, or behaviour as commonly thought by many people.
To start, like I mentioned before, their focus is first on the spiritual life. Baptism, the new birth, communion and feet washing are fundamental in their church. Shunning as known among the Amish, Old Order and Old Colonists is not practiced among them. Excommunication is the word used and practiced by them, it is decided by the whole congregation of that area after holding members-only meetings, and the severity of it depends on the congregation, but the expelled person is still invited to attend church, and is not excluded from gatherings. (This is not just in Belize; in my travels throughout North and Central America, I have observed the method of expelling is often the same.)
They are like the Old Colonists in that they do not accept certain technology but only to a certain extent; radio, tape players, use of cameras, TV, social media and others are not exactly forbidden, they are discouraged with the belief that it is detrimental to spiritual life. However, the Holdemans, like all other conservative Mennonites, are encountering a problem now: the smartphone. This small palm held gadget is bringing everything in one. Camera, Internet, social media, online shopping, recorder, radio, TV, pornography.
They are like the Kliene Gemeinde in style of dressing; I've described that before.
They are also like the Beachy and Conservative Mennonites in their views of Bible doctrines, except the Beachy and Conservatives are more liberal with the use of technology and social media.
It is perhaps the most interesting group I've studied so far. Interesting not because of funny customs or wierd traditions, but because they claim to be the only church that is the closest to Biblical doctrines. In no way am I implying that they are the right kind of Mennonites; they, like other Mennonite groups, have had their share of scandals, regional and worldwide, though it may never make headline news as often as some other Mennonites.
