How to Join the Amish: The Step-by-Step Guide

Atlee Miller, an Ohio New Order father of ten, tells you how to do it at amish-heartland.com.

In a nutshell:  come live with us, go to church, get a job, learn Pennsylvania Dutch, do all this for a year and then get educated in the ways of the church, and finally, get voted in by the church.  Voila.  It's that simple. 

Simple but far from easy.  A handful have done it, but not without sacrifice and struggle.  Why do they go through with it?  'A woman', joked one Amishman I know.  'That's usually what's involved.' 

Bonus:  Click for what the Amish think about outsiders wanting to join, and a bit about a few real-life converts.

Comments

[Matthew]

Have you read the following article about Amish converts? http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17268211&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=6

In it, Eric Miller (from the Behalt) is quoted. "The number of so-called Yankee-to-Amish conversions may be higher than observers believe, according to Paul Miller, executive director of The Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center in Berlin, Ohio. "I have a friend who converted from Catholicism to Amish. He said there were 100-some people that have become Amish from other backgrounds," Miller said. "The interesting thing was, as he pointed it out, the majority of those are from Catholicism to Amish.""

I think it would be a very interesting sociological study to compare converts to the Amish faith and identify common threads. And especially to pinpoint the event that made them go from an observer who admired and integrated the lifestyle and faith into their own personal life to seeking membership in the Amish church and living in community. Of course a maiden could always have something to do with it :-).

I have e-mailed Mr. Miller in an attempt to obtain an address to write to a convert, but have not received a response yet.

Matthew

[Amish America]

Matthew thanks for the link to the article. I liked it. I believe I heard about this fellow, the former pilot, joining, but hadn't read anything about it.
About the Catholics to Amish, I wonder how many of those were in modern times, vs. how many happened a couple hundred years ago when there was still a European Amish presence, and when there weren't the issues of dealing with a drastic lifestyle change and so on.

My first guess would be that more nowadays come from Anabaptist-related faiths, but that is pure speculation.

A study like you describe would be interesting. I wouldn't be surprised in Kraybill or one of his colleagues has something like that on tap. If not, someone ought to look at it. Would make a great book.

[Dave Carrig]

It's interesting to see that folks try to convert and that the Amish are even amenable to it.

I wonder how many of those who make the "attempt" to convert are under 30 verses over 30. I bet a person's age and worldly experience would contribute greatly to the success or failure of a conversion.

[Amish America]

Good question Dave, I am curious myself...I imagine the majority would come from the under-30 age range, what do you think?

[Sebastien]

The following log "How to Join the Amish: The Step-by-Step Guide" was very interesting and I would like to know how to get practical if I wish to join the community for a year and monger. Please write back with detailed-information. Ready to join.

[Amish America]

Hi Sebastien,

I would be glad to offer what help is within my scope, but what would you like to know, more specifically?

[Shenendoah]

I am a 16 yr old female who wants to become Amish, but does not know what to do. Could somebody help me with this?

[Shenendoah]

I am a 16 yr old female who wants to become Amish, but does not know what to do. Could somebody help me with this?

[Shenendoah]

I am a 16 yr old female who wants to become Amish, but does not know what to do. Could somebody help me with this?

[Shenendoah]

I am a 16 yr old female who wants to become Amish, but does not know what to do. Could somebody help me with this?

[Michael]

I can relate to that quote about 'a woman'—if I met an Amish girl who was hot, I would probably look into converting.

[randy lewis]

i would like to know the amish ladies would like to get a man like me

[randy lewis]

i'm a single male looking for a amish ladie for marrage and to raiseb a family with i am 49 years old so is there any single amish ladie that would like to meet me

[Samantha]

I'm a 13 year old female, and I've alwayz dreamed of becomin amish, but i have no clue where to go or how i do it, i need help..

[James]

Vee Bish'd? I'm the guy that Paul Miller was talking about (if it's Paul R. Miller). There are so many Paul Millers in Holmes County, it's hard to say. The person you described matches my descripton too. I have a lot to say about the whole conversion from English to Amish if anyone wants to hear. I won't talk too much about my own experience because I don't want to bore anyone. One thing I can say is that a person really has to be led by the Spirit to do something like this. It's a lot of excitement at first but if you think that it's all fun and games, think again! I strongly incourage the conversion. God calls some to be Amish and others to do something else. I was almost Amish but my own lusts and pride got the best of me. God has been kind enough to show me that I'm not where He wants me in life. The decision is that I'm going to give in another try, God willing. The old saying, If I knew then what I know now..." applies here. To the people thinking about taking on the Amish way of life, be patient and prayerful. Remember to thank God for everything and find the beauty in simplicity. We are really called to be seperate from the world. If the Father has really put it on your heart to make the change in your life don't ignore Him! I did and it has gotten me nothing but a lot of disappointment and regret. If you "fall off the wagon" try not to beat yourself up too hard. If you get a little resistence from the Amish community remember that we're all only human. Prejudices about the "English" are just the result of many years of persecution. Try not to take anything too personally and win them over by showing that you're in it for the long haul! As long as you put Christ first you're sure to finish in the lead!

[I. Walker]

Anyone considering joining such a group should consider that being legalistic misses the whole point of Christianity. Christians are supposed to live as free men and women, and the traditions of men, taught as religion, are in fact an abomination, as stated by Paul. The man-made rules are really the Amish and Mennonites' biggest downfall. They reduce religion to sheer pettiness. Christianity is really a state of mind. No outward sign of faith or display of faith is valid in Christianity. The Bible teaches that followers of Jesus will not be known by how they look but by how they live their lives. They will even "socialize" with sinners in order to be a good example to them, and to help them, not separate themselves to the point that they are "hiding their light under a bushel". In fact Jesus' own words state that he came to save sinners, not the righteous, implying that if you are living in a righteous manner you are doing what you were meant to do, thereby "pleasing God". Another big danger is in literalizing the Bible. There are far too many contradictions and vagueness for this to be possible, and cross-reference applications could not be made (e.g., bringing Lazarus back to life could be analogous to the power of the Christian faith to bring back someone to "life" no matter how "dead in sin" he or she was. Finally, religion nearly always treats women as being inferior to men. They are the ones who give birth to us all. Any religious point of view that deems women as inferior should be avoided. As philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, "All orthodoxy is error".

[Martha Shuffert]

I was born and raised Amish in Ohio.My family are members of the old order amish.I would love to write a book about my experiences growing up amish and why i would and would not live like that again.If someone could direct me on how to get started please contact me.

[Brian]

Hi! Does anyone have any more information for people seriously considering joining an Amish group (such as contacts, etc.) or at least visiting with them? Thanks so much! (Oh and Martha, you should definetely write a book about your experiences. It would be really interesting!)

[Evan B. Gessman]

Hello, my name is Evan, a single, never married Jewish Christian who seeks an Amish wife. Am 52, professionally employed in the medical profession, love farming, barn raising, and the Amish way of life. My email:evanbgessman@gmail.com:508-376-1048/any and all info would be helpful...

[Eugene]

Hi, I've been looking into joining the Amish lately and I'm looking for a female partner who wants to do the same. I'm 26 y.o., single, white, my email: i_want_to_be_amish@yahoo.com

[Heather Rhodes]

I've always been so inspired by the Amish. I grew
up in norhthern Calif.(no amish there) and also
lived in a small town of 700 people in Minn.
Then we moved to Northern Az. I'm always reading
about the Amish would love someday to live
among them. I'm 43, female and single (still
have 2 highschoolers but when their grown
and gone I'd to live among the Amish. If anyone
has any great ideas I'd love hear them!!
The Connection is a great Amish magazine also.
Please keep in touch!! Heather sunbabies2002@yahoo.com

[Andrew]

I personally know many from the English who became Amish. Recently I met one who works at Behalt and I must say that from our brief conversation he is different from the norm.

When I say the norm I mean that most end up leaving, the few that do remain many times are scrutinized by other members, I know of those who are now 2nd generation and married with their own children - but yet have never been trusted or excepted even thou they themselves were born Amish. I know of one case were the community asked the Amish wife to separate from her now Amish [former English] husband, based on allegations that just simply are not true.

Although my experience is that most have ongoing acceptance issues not from the English but from within the Plain communities, I must admit that their are those who seem to be quite happy and adjust well – only time will tell the story with their children and grandchildren.

The man that I recently met even shared with me his personal relationship "faith" in my Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ. This is something that over 90% of Old Order Amish would never do. This man was not prideful, just thankful.

For those who are truly considering joining the Amish, before you get too far, I would advise you to do some research and find out why so many Amish are leaving or should I say being pushed out due to the sharing of their new-birth experience in Christ Jesus. What you might just surprise you.
[A honest and clear-cut film about this very issue is a documentary by “BBC News” that was filmed last year in Lancaster Cnty, PA. by Andrew & Marisa from Wales, the name of the documentary if you can find it is “Trouble in Amish Paradise”]

Best of wishes
Andrew

[Jessica Gauker]

i have spent the last 3 months living amoung the amish in Lewistown Montana and feel a sincere need to become as they are. i will be leaving in two weeks and i really dread going back home to kentucky. i've never before felt such a calling. i am german by birth so was just getting the hang of Pennylvania dutch and now will not have anyone to excersize my skills with. i have to keep hopes alive that the Lord will see me through this and perhaps if its His will i will get my chance. we shall see...

peace

Jessica Gauker