Kauffman Amish Mennonite

During that time Dienerversammlungen (ministerial conferences) were held in Wayne County, Ohio, and other places, concerning how the Amish should deal with the pressures of modern society.

The meetings themselves were a progressive idea, for bishops to assemble to discuss uniformity was an unprecedented notion in the Amish church.

By the first several meetings, the more traditionally minded bishops agreed to boycott the conferences and then formed their congregations to become the Old Order Amish.

The more progressive branch, comprising approximately two-thirds of all Amish, drifted toward the Mennonite mainstream over the next decades.

In contrast to other Amish Mennonites they have largely retained the Pennsylvania German language, which they also use for church service.

[8] Sermons make frequent mention of Kauffman's teachings, referring to his statements as the preaching with the words "The Spirit taught us .

[10] The practice of avoidance (German: Bann und Meidung) was supported by the spirit preaching of John Kauffman.

[16] In 2010 the "Tampico Amish Mennonite Churches" had 3,342 adherents, including children and young adults who are not yet baptized.