Churches Of The Brethren

Worship in the Brethren churches, influenced by Anabaptist and Pietist traditions, rejects formal liturgy in favor of "free worship." The emphasis in the past and now is on community, the Word, singing, and occasional services that combine the Agape feast and footwashing. Recently some churches have been influenced by either the liturgical movement or the more informal approach of the praise-and-worship tradition.

History and Principles of Worship The Brethren were born out of the Anabaptist movement and radical Pietism in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Germany, when small groups of people began meeting for Bible study, discussion, singing, and prayer. A 175-year-old description lifts up several aspects of worship still important in Brethren practice:

They gather about a long table, a hymn is sung.… The sisters on one side, the brethren on the other, arise and wash one another's feet. Then they eat the Lord's Supper, pass the kiss of charity with the right hand of fellowship, partake of the holy Communion, sing a hymn and go out. (Martin Grove Brumbaugh, A History of the German Baptist Brethren in Europe and America [Mount Morris, Ill.: Brethren Publishing House, 1899], 156.)

Singing, praying, observing the ordinances, sharing together, and lay leadership are still major principles in Brethren worship. The sense of freedom in worship valued by Brethren emphasizes the inseparable relationship between God's love for us and our love for one another; between personal faith and the corporate gathering of the faith community. For Brethren sacramental acts that embody Christ's presence are truly sacramental if they point to Christ's presence in life, where two or three are gathered in his name.

"Sign Acts" or Ordinances Brethren name the "sign acts" as ordinances, several of which play an important role in worship, even if not celebrated every Sunday. They include baptism, love feast, anointing, the holy kiss, and laying on of hands. Believer's baptism is practiced by immersing three times forward. Baptism for Brethren is not only the beginning of faithfulness in the church but the beginning of ministry. Through the church's history the love feast has been central to the worship life of a congregation even though celebrated by most churches only one or two times a year, usually on a Sunday evening. The service has four parts: a self-examination service, feetwashing, a simple agape meal, and Communion. In addition many congregations celebrate Eucharist or Communion as a shortened form of love feast that can be a part of Sunday morning worship. Another ordinance observed by the Brethren is anointing, as described in James 5:14–16. The service might be held at a hospital bed before surgery or when one is very sick, or in the church for various types of healing (physical, spiritual, relational). Hands are laid on the head of the one anointed and brief prayers are offered. Free Ministry Worshiping together in homes, simple meetinghouses, and steepled churches, the Brethren Church for years was led through "free ministry." Four to six male ministers served a congregation free of pay while also working at secular jobs. During worship, these men sat behind a wooden table, with the elder-in-charge seated at the head. He would begin the worship with a welcome and then to his colleagues would say, "Be free, Brethren," or "I extend the liberty." This was an invitation for one of them to preach. Thus, the form and structure of Brethren worship has varied from east to west, from congregation to congregation, from Sunday to Sunday. Occasionally today's congregations will incorporate elements of more liturgical worship such as affirmations of faith, bidding prayers, the Gloria Patri, and doxology. Special moments with the children and the sharing of congregational joys and concerns are a part of many worship services. If liturgy indeed is the work of the people, then the people need to do their work—preparing and enacting, bringing freedom of the Spirit into an ordered structure. Present-day pastors, many of whom are seminary graduates, strive toward a better balance between order and spontaneity, structure and freedom. A new edition of the Pastor's Manual, which provides orders of worship services and rituals harmonious with church polity, came out in 1992. The denominational headquarters provides other worship resources upon request. Brethren have long believed that liturgy as worship and liturgy as service belong together. Dale Brown, professor at Bethany Theological Seminary, says that "this double meaning [of liturgy] should remain basic to an understanding of the Brethren. We are a people for whom all of life … is sacred [or sacramental]" ("A People without a Liturgy?" Brethren Life and Thought 31 [Winter 1986]: 24). Brethren Worship in the Future The primary concerns for worship in the future are inclusion, involvement, and liberation. There undoubtedly will be "greater diversity, freedom and participation with careful attention … to language [of worship], roles/participation [in the assembly], [and matters of liturgical] form" (Jimmy R. Ross, "The Road Ahead," Brethren Life and Thought 31 [Winter 1986]: 33). Leadership and participation will be shared on an equal basis between sisters and brothers, clergy and laity, children, youth, and adults of varying cultures and ethnicity. Singing will continue to be the most important part of worship, almost the liturgy itself. In addition to the a cappella congregational singing that is such a rich part of the heritage, today's churches also may use the organ or piano, choir, or a song leader. Types of music used run the gamut from German chorales to gospel songs, from Catholic liturgical pieces to praise music and scriptural songs. Brethren make a special effort to provide the denomination with musical resources that reflect the unique church worship heritage. The year nineteen ninety-two brought together the strong musical traditions of three peace churches, Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Church, and General Conference Mennonites, in a joint hymnal. Worship courses are required as a part of seminary education. Students plan and lead worship that has been carefully thought through and is ready for critical feedback. Thematic worship and biblical preaching are emphasized. Models of lay worship committees are studied. Use of the lectionary during parts of the church year is encouraged. Inclusive human language is required and a widening of the images of God is modeled. The importance of music as an aid to worship and an act of worship is demonstrated. Yet, the heartbeat of Brethren worship is not in structure but in community, "the love we have for each other and the commonality we have in God as God's children. Worship creates community. When Brethren together praise God and witness to the love of Jesus Christ, they build up the church in one accord" (Nancy Rosenberger Faus, "Pictures of Brethren at Worship," Brethren Life and Thought 31 [Winter 1986]: 23). The church is built up by praising God and, in word and act, showing forth the love of Jesus Christ.