Difference Between New Order Amish vs. Old Order Amish
When you hear “New Order Amish,” you might imagine a more modern version of the Amish who use cars, electricity, and high-tech gadgets. But that’s not quite true. The New Order Amish are actually a subgroup of the Old Order Amish and share many of their customs. However, they are more progressive in some ways and more conservative in others.
Both groups dress plainly, use horse-and-buggy transportation, and hold traditional values. At the same time, New Order Amish are more open to certain modern ideas, such as air travel and mission work. They also emphasize stricter social practices, like avoiding alcohol and tobacco and promoting clean courtship among youth.
Similarities Between New Order and Old Order Amish
The New Order Amish and Old Order Amish share many foundational beliefs and practices. Both groups embrace a life centered on faith, family, and community, rejecting the distractions of modern technology. They adhere to plain dress codes, with men wearing dark suits and suspenders and women wearing modest dresses and bonnets.
Although the New Order Amish sometimes use slightly more colorful fabrics, the simplicity of their clothing reflects the same core values.
Transportation is another area of similarity. Both groups use horse-and-buggy travel, shunning automobiles to maintain a slower, community-centered lifestyle. They also share a common language, Pennsylvania German (often called Pennsylvania Dutch), which helps preserve their cultural identity and separates them from the broader English-speaking world.
Church services for both groups occur in members’ homes rather than formal church buildings, highlighting humility and community bonds. Additionally, both groups limit their use of technology to avoid distractions from their faith.
While the New Order Amish may allow certain exceptions, like telephones in the home, both groups share a cautious approach to modern conveniences.
According to Charles E. Hurst and David L. McConnell, authors of An Amish Paradox: Diversity and Change in the World’s Largest Amish Community, both groups demonstrate a shared commitment to rejecting the “temptations of the world” while adapting selectively to meet community needs.
Differences Between New Order and Old Order Amish
Despite their shared traditions, the New Order Amish and Old Order Amish differ significantly. One notable difference is their approach to technology. While both groups restrict its use, the New Order Amish are more lenient, allowing telephones in the home and limited electricity use. The Old Order Amish are stricter, relying on public phone booths and avoiding electricity entirely.
Another distinction is their stance on air travel. New Order Amish permit air travel for business or missions, while Old Order Amish firmly avoid flying. Courtship practices also differ. The New Order Amish promotes clean courtship, avoiding practices like bundling, where a courting couple lies clothed on a bed. This practice is more common in some Old Order communities.
The New Order Amish take a firmer stance against alcohol and tobacco, prohibiting their use entirely. In contrast, some Old Order Amish grow and use tobacco, and moderate alcohol consumption is accepted in some communities. Additionally, the New Order Amish often hold Sunday school sessions on alternating Sundays, while Old Order Amish typically do not organize formal Bible study meetings.
Regarding transportation, New Order Amish buggies may include features like rubber tires and decorative molding, whereas Old Order Amish buggies are simpler in design.
According to G.C. Waldrep’s article, “The New Order Amish and Para-Amish Groups: Spiritual Renewal Within a Tradition,” the New Order’s flexibility in technology and lifestyle reflects their attempt to engage more actively with the world without abandoning their faith.
Beliefs and Practices of New Order Amish
The New Order Amish follow many religious principles as the Old Order Amish, but they have unique beliefs and practices that set them apart. One significant difference is their belief in the assurance of salvation.
New Order Amish believe that individuals can know the state of their soul and be confident in their salvation. This contrasts with the Old Order Amish, who often hold a “living hope” of salvation and avoid making definitive claims about their eternal fate.
Clean courtship is another key practice of the New Order Amish. They emphasize wholesome dating practices and strictly prohibit bundling, which they view as morally risky. Their commitment to clean living extends to their prohibition of alcohol and tobacco, which they believe are harmful to the body and soul.
Sunday school is another unique practice among the New Order Amish. These organized sessions involve adults and children and include Bible study, singing, and faith discussions. This resembles more evangelical Christian groups’ practices and reflects the New Order Amish’s focus on spiritual renewal.
As Richard A. Stevick notes in Growing Up Amish: The Rumspringa Years, these Sunday school sessions are central to fostering a deeper understanding of faith and community values.
Origins of New Order Amish
The New Order Amish originated in the 1960s due to disagreements within the Old Order Amish community. These disagreements centered around two main issues: youth behavior and evangelical beliefs.
Reformers wanted stricter guidelines for youth, including a ban on bundling and the use of alcohol and tobacco. They sought to create a cleaner, more disciplined environment for young people.
At the same time, some Amish felt the church should emphasize personal salvation and outreach to others. This led to a stronger focus on missionary work and assurance of salvation. These reformist ideas caused divisions in Amish communities, particularly in Ohio and Pennsylvania, resulting in the formation of the New Order Amish.
Today, the largest New Order Amish community is in Holmes County, Ohio, with smaller communities in states like Indiana, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
Interaction with Outsiders
The New Order Amish are more open to outsiders than the Old Order Amish. This openness can be seen in their willingness to engage in missionary work and share their beliefs with non-Amish people. Some New Order Amish have even traveled abroad for missions, teaching English to Old Colony Mennonites in Mexico or working in Asia.
Unlike the Old Order Amish, who deliver sermons entirely in Pennsylvania German, the New Order Amish may include parts of their sermons in English to accommodate visitors. They are also more likely to publish books and magazines that appeal to Amish and non-Amish audiences.
For example, Bishop David Kline has written books on sustainable farming and nature, including Scratching the Woodchuck, which combines reflections on faith with practical advice for small-scale farming.
While the Old Order Amish welcome visitors, they maintain a more private and traditional lifestyle. The New Order Amish’s openness reflects their evangelical outlook and willingness to engage with the wider world.
Key Challenges and Criticisms
The New Order and Old Order Amish face challenges, but their differences have sparked unique criticisms. The New Order Amish have a lower retention rate among their youth, with fewer choosing to join the church as adults. Critics argue that their openness to outsiders and modern ideas makes it harder to retain members. Some even refer to them as “Beachy Amish without the cars,” highlighting their perceived shift away from traditional Amish values.
On the other hand, the Old Order Amish are sometimes criticized for being overly reliant on tradition and lenient on youth behavior. New Order Amish might view this as a lack of spiritual discipline. However, the two groups have grown closer in some areas, particularly in Holmes County, Ohio, where they cooperate and share similar views on youth behavior and assurance of salvation.
The New Order and Old Order Amish share many traditions, but their differences reflect unique approaches to faith and modern life. New Order Amish blend traditional values with a more progressive outlook in courtship, outreach, and technology. On the other hand, Old Order Amish prioritize preserving their heritage and avoiding change.
Together, these groups show how the Amish community continues to adapt while staying true to its roots. Understanding these distinctions helps us appreciate the diversity within Amish culture and their enduring commitment to a simpler way of life.
