Can an outsider join the Amish church/community?

Yes, but it is rare. Outsiders must live among the Amish, show a changed life, adapt to a plain lifestyle, and learn Pennsylvania Dutch. “A local Amishman recently remarked, “You do not need to move here to adopt a lifestyle of simplicity and discipleship. You can begin wherever you are.” Yes, it is possible for outsiders, through conversion and convincement, to join the Amish community, but we must quickly add that it seldom happens. First, the Amish do not evangelize and seek to add outsiders to their church. Second, outsiders would need to live among the Amish and demonstrate a genuine conversion experience and faith that results in a changed lifestyle. Third, it is extremely difficult for anyone who has not been raised without electricity, automobiles, and other modern conveniences to adjust to the austere lifestyle of the Amish. And to truly be a part of the Amish community one would need to learn the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect.”

Is the Amish calendar the same as ours?

Yes, the Amish use the standard calendar. Weddings cluster in November and are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. “The Amish use the same yearly calendar that you use. We might add that November is the month for weddings – spring, summer, and fall months there is too much work to be done and in the winter there’s the risk of unfavorable weather. Also, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days for weddings – these are the least busy days of the week.”

I think some of my ancestors might have been Amish. How can I find out?

The Mennonite Historical Society in Lancaster is the best starting point for Amish genealogy. “The best source of that kind of information would be the Mennonite Historical Society, which maintains an extensive genealogical library. Their address is 2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster, PA 17602. Telephone: (717) 393-9745.”

How true was the portrayal of the Amish in the movie "Witness," starring Harrison Ford?

“The movie, “Witness,” portrayed Amish lifestyle fairly accurately in what was shown, but it portrayed a very limited segment of Amish lifestyle. The Amish people have had a lot of reservations about “Witness.” The plot seemed to be inconsistent with the lifestyle and culture of the Amish. It was filmed in the geographical area of the Amish, but not on an Amish farm. The actors and actresses in the movie were not Amish.”

What are the Amish courting rituals?

Courtship often begins at Sunday singings. Couples are “published” in church before the wedding, and the ceremony lasts about four hours. “For many of the Old Order Amish young people, “pairing up” begins at Sunday evening singings, The boy will take the girl home in his buggy. The couple is secretive about their friendship and courtship. Several days to two weeks before the wedding, the couple is “published” in church and their intentions to marry are made known. Weddings are held in November, or at the very latest in early December. That’s after the busy fall harvesting season is over. Weddings are on Tuesdays or Thursdays–the least busy days of the week on an Amish farm. The wedding is held at the home of the bride and the sermon and ceremony will last about four hours. Weddings usually begin at 8:30 a.m. There are no kisses, rings, photography, flowers or caterers. There are usually 200 or more guests. After the wedding there will be a delicious dinner of chicken, filling, mashed potatoes, gravy, ham, relishes, canned fruit, plus many kinds of cookies, cakes and pies.”

Why are Amish not spoken of in the Bible?

The Amish and Mennonites trace their roots to the Protestant Reformation, not to Biblical times. Jacob Ammann’s 1693 split over shunning led to the Amish. The New Testament church began after Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension. At Pentecost Christ sent the Holy Spirit to indwell believers and the church began. But different denominations of the faith didn’t develop until later. The Amish and Mennonites trace their origin back to the Protestant Reformation in Europe. Followers of Menno Simons in the 1500’s were called Mennonites. In 1693 Jacob Amman split with the Mennonites over the issue of shunning. His followers became know as Amish. As you can see, both groups got their start long after the Bible was written.

Amish horse and buggy on a Lancaster PA road in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Honest answers to the questions every visitor asks

Curious About the Amish?

Questions About the Amish

Throughout this website we have provided extensive information on the Amish, their faith, lifestyle, schools, weddings, their history, and more. Many questions have been submitted to us about the Amish on a variety of topics. Those questions and their answers are included in the above sections where appropriate. Various questions not fitting into those categories are included below. Most of the answers to these questions were provided by the resident experts at the Mennonite Information Center in Lancaster, PA.

Amish FAQ

: Yes, but it is rare. Outsiders must live among the Amish, show a changed life, adapt to a plain lifestyle, and learn Pennsylvania Dutch.

“A local Amishman recently remarked, “You do not need to move here to adopt a lifestyle of simplicity and discipleship. You can begin wherever you are.” Yes, it is possible for outsiders, through conversion and convincement, to join the Amish community, but we must quickly add that it seldom happens. First, the Amish do not evangelize and seek to add outsiders to their church. Second, outsiders would need to live among the Amish and demonstrate a genuine conversion experience and faith that results in a changed lifestyle. Third, it is extremely difficult for anyone who has not been raised without electricity, automobiles, and other modern conveniences to adjust to the austere lifestyle of the Amish. And to truly be a part of the Amish community one would need to learn the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect.”
: Yes, the Amish use the standard calendar. Weddings cluster in November and are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“The Amish use the same yearly calendar that you use. We might add that November is the month for weddings – spring, summer, and fall months there is too much work to be done and in the winter there’s the risk of unfavorable weather. Also, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days for weddings – these are the least busy days of the week.”
: The Mennonite Historical Society in Lancaster is the best starting point for Amish genealogy.

“The best source of that kind of information would be the Mennonite Historical Society, which maintains an extensive genealogical library. Their address is 2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster, PA 17602. Telephone: (717) 393-9745.”
: “The movie, “Witness,” portrayed Amish lifestyle fairly accurately in what was shown, but it portrayed a very limited segment of Amish lifestyle. The Amish people have had a lot of reservations about “Witness.” The plot seemed to be inconsistent with the lifestyle and culture of the Amish. It was filmed in the geographical area of the Amish, but not on an Amish farm. The actors and actresses in the movie were not Amish.”
: Courtship often begins at Sunday singings. Couples are “published” in church before the wedding, and the ceremony lasts about four hours.

“For many of the Old Order Amish young people, “pairing up” begins at Sunday evening singings, The boy will take the girl home in his buggy. The couple is secretive about their friendship and courtship. Several days to two weeks before the wedding, the couple is “published” in church and their intentions to marry are made known. Weddings are held in November, or at the very latest in early December. That’s after the busy fall harvesting season is over. Weddings are on Tuesdays or Thursdays–the least busy days of the week on an Amish farm. The wedding is held at the home of the bride and the sermon and ceremony will last about four hours. Weddings usually begin at 8:30 a.m. There are no kisses, rings, photography, flowers or caterers. There are usually 200 or more guests. After the wedding there will be a delicious dinner of chicken, filling, mashed potatoes, gravy, ham, relishes, canned fruit, plus many kinds of cookies, cakes and pies.”
: The Amish and Mennonites trace their roots to the Protestant Reformation, not to Biblical times. Jacob Ammann’s 1693 split over shunning led to the Amish.

The New Testament church began after Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension. At Pentecost Christ sent the Holy Spirit to indwell believers and the church began. But different denominations of the faith didn’t develop until later. The Amish and Mennonites trace their origin back to the Protestant Reformation in Europe. Followers of Menno Simons in the 1500’s were called Mennonites. In 1693 Jacob Amman split with the Mennonites over the issue of shunning. His followers became know as Amish. As you can see, both groups got their start long after the Bible was written.

Want to see Amish life for yourself?

Visit an Amish farm and house, take a buggy ride, shop for Amish furniture and quilts, or learn more about Amish beliefs. Please ask before photographing people.

Lancaster County is the best place in the world to experience Amish culture firsthand