What Is a Typical Day Like in the Life of a Mennonite?
A typical day in the life of a Mennonite can vary greatly from one group to the next. Some groups are dominated by traditional religious observance and a dedication to a simple life of labor, while other groups allow for the use of modern conveniences, such as electricity and motorized vehicles. All Mennonites consider themselves Christians.
The most commonly assumed view of the Mennonite lifestyle is one that is very similar to the Amish, shunning the use of electricity, motorized transportation and dressing plainly. Mennonites who adhere to this interpretation of the religion often live in rural areas, engage in farming, have large families and observe a strict gender-based division of labor.
Other groups live in more urban or suburban locations, drive cars, attend colleges and universities, and make use of modern technology, including the Internet.
A traditional Mennonite man might spend his days farming, either growing crops, tending to animals or both, while his wife oversees the cooking and cleaning of the family home, engages in child-rearing and perhaps sells baked good or handicrafts as a means of supplementing the family’s income. Women tend to keep their hair pinned back and covered and dress simply, though they do use modern touches such as zippers, which are not used by their Amish counterparts.
Mennonites typically attend religious services every Sunday, some of which can last all day, and have daily Bible readings in their homes. Mennonites are famous for their a capella four-part harmonies. Stricter groups typically do not use instrumental accompaniment for their hymns, though less strict groups use pianos, guitars, organs and brass instruments.