The Dunkard Brethren came out of the Radical Reformation that produced the Anabaptists, and from the Brethren movement, which was a blending of Anabaptism and Pietism. The Pietist movement began among the Reformed and Lutheran congregations, and was characterized by a belief in the significance of a personal conversion experience, triune baptism by immersion in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as well as the holiness of believers. Out of this mixture came the Brethren movement. Pietism was not the only influence on the early Brethren, however. Anabaptists were active in the area. They were known to the Brethren, who also read Anabaptist writings. From the Anabaptists, the Brethren gained a desire for a return to the simplicity and purity of the New Testament Church. The Pietists and Anabaptists both denied the validity of infant baptism and, for the most part the Brethren were in agreement with the teachings of the Anabaptists. For this reason, historians generally classify Mennonites, Brethren, and Moravians as Anabaptist churches. The largest group of Brethren were known as the Schwarzenau Brethren, and it is from this group that the Dunkard Brethren came. When the Schwarzenau Brethren immigrated to the United States in the late 1700s and early 1800s, they became known as the German Baptist Brethren, which became the Church of the Brethren in 1908. In the early 20th century, some members of the Brethren became concerned that the church had drifted from the old apostolic standards. A man by the name of Benjamin Elias Kesler addressed these concerns in 1922, and was denied a seat at the annual conference because of it. During the next three years, he and his sympathizers held separate meetings, and left the Church of the Brethren to form the Dunkard Brethren Church in 1926. Like the Old Order Brethren, the Dunkards take separation from the world seriously, dressing simply, more easily noticed among the women of the Dunkard Brethren.
Recommended Resources
Cornerstone Dunkard Brethren Church
Situated in Covington, Ohio, the Cornerstone congregation is part of the brotherhood of churches known as the Dunkard Brethren Church. An introduction to the local church is given, along with a history and overview of the denomination, Bible helps booklets and tracts, service schedules and a calendar of upcoming programs and events. A photo gallery, and a sermon archive are featured.
http://www.cornerstonedunkardbrethren.org/
This is a personal web site by Adam Lehigh, a member of the Dunkard Brethren Church, whose vocation as a mechanical engineer, avocation in music, and faith in God are reflected in his writings, which discuss the theory and mechanics of leading music, as well as Dunkard Brethren beliefs and practices, and various resources made available by the Dunkard Brethren and the Shrewsbury DBC congregation, including audio recordings.
http://www.dominantseventh.net/
Dunkard Brethren African Mission
The Dunkard Brethren Church’s mission to Africa is highlighted here, including project reports, photographs, and information about specific needs, and opportunities for others to contribute to the mission. Its newsletter, “The African Reporter,” may be downloaded from the site in PDF format, and interested persons may request to have it emailed to them. Mission contacts are posted.
http://www.dunkardbrethrenafricanmission.com/
The Dunkard Brethren Church arose out of Anabaptist and Pietist movements of Alexander Mack. The history and beliefs of the Dunkard Brethren fellowship are described on its official web site, its beliefs are outlined, along with its mission efforts, a calendar of events, leadership contacts, and several Bible study and sermon resources, including many that may be requested in print format.
http://www.dunkardbrethrenchurch.com/
Established in 1976, Youth Retreat is a youth camp that teaches leadership skills and sound Bible teaching to Dunkard Brethren youth. Set in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the camp is designed for youth ages fourteen to their early twenties, and offers a teaching series and workshops, around which other camp activities revolve. Its schedules costs, registration details, documents and forms are available.
http://site.youthretreatonline.com/
