How to Become Amish?

 

How to Become Amish: Your Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to a Simpler, Faith-Filled Life

In a world overflowing with notifications, endless scrolling, traffic jams, and constant pressure to achieve more, many people dream of a slower, more meaningful existence. A life centered on family, faith, community, and the rhythms of nature rather than screens and status updates. For some, that vision leads straight to the Amish.

Becoming Amish as an outsider is possible—but it’s far from simple. It demands profound personal transformation, genuine spiritual commitment, and years of adaptation. This comprehensive guide draws on the realities of Amish communities across North America to walk you through what it truly takes. Whether you’re curious, seriously considering it, or just seeking inspiration for a plainer life, you’ll find honest answers here.

Understanding the Amish: More Than Buggy Rides and Bonnets

The Amish trace their roots to 17th-century Europe, specifically the Anabaptist movement during the Protestant Reformation. Led by Jakob Ammann in the late 1600s, they emphasized adult baptism, separation from the world, and a literal interpretation of the Bible. Persecution drove many to America in the 18th and 19th centuries, where they settled primarily in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and other states.

Today, there are over 350,000 Amish in the U.S. and Canada, living in hundreds of settlements. They are not a monolithic group. Old Order Amish are the most traditional, rejecting most modern technology. New Order communities may allow limited electricity or other conveniences for business or safety. Swartzentruber Amish represent an even stricter end of the spectrum.

At the heart of Amish identity is the Ordnung—an unwritten (or sometimes handwritten) set of community rules that governs everything from dress and transportation to technology and social interactions. It’s not just about rules; it’s about preserving humility, community cohesion, and obedience to God. Technology is often limited because it can foster pride, individualism, or disconnection from family and neighbors.

Amish life revolves around agriculture, small businesses (furniture-making, quilting, food production), and mutual aid. Church services rotate among homes, and decisions are made collectively. Education typically ends after eighth grade, focusing on practical skills, faith, and values rather than higher academics.

For outsiders, the appeal often lies in escaping consumerism, rebuilding family bonds, and deepening faith. But romanticized notions quickly meet reality: long workdays, limited privacy, strict gender roles in many communities, and a lifelong commitment once baptized.

Is It Even Possible for Outsiders to Join the Amish?

Yes, though it’s uncommon and success rates for long-term retention are low. Estimates suggest only about one-third of outsiders who attempt it remain Amish long-term. The Amish do not actively proselytize—they believe faith should be a personal calling—but they generally welcome sincere seekers who demonstrate humility and commitment.

Famous or notable converts are rare, but examples exist, including families who left modern life for Amish communities after deep soul-searching. The process tests resolve: you must prove you’re not seeking a temporary escape but a permanent transformation.

Key barriers include:

• Cultural and linguistic immersion: Pennsylvania Dutch (a German dialect) is the primary language in many homes and churches.
• Technological divestment: Cars, smartphones, internet, and electricity are major no-gos in traditional settlements.
• Family and social ties: Relationships with non-Amish loved ones change dramatically.
• Spiritual alignment: You must fully embrace Amish theology, including pacifism, adult baptism, and church authority.

Step-by-Step: How to Become Amish

Step 1: Deep Research and Self-Reflection (Months to Years)

Start by educating yourself thoroughly. Read books like The Amish by Kraybill, Johnson-Weiner, and Nolt, or personal accounts from converts. Visit public Amish businesses, markets, or tourist-friendly areas without being intrusive. Observe quietly and build genuine friendships.

Ask yourself hard questions:

• Can I commit to a faith that prioritizes obedience to the church over personal autonomy?
• Am I prepared for early mornings, manual labor, and limited medical access?
• Does my spouse/family support this fully? (Divorce is not permitted post-baptism.)

Visit multiple settlements. Larger ones like Lancaster County, PA, or Holmes County, OH, may feel more accessible for beginners, while smaller, more conservative ones demand faster adaptation. Contact bishops through local connections—cold approaches rarely work.

Step 2: Build Relationships and Immerse Yourself

Find a “sponsor” or supportive Amish family. Work alongside them, attend church (services are in German/Pennsylvania Dutch, so expect initial confusion), and participate in community events like barn-raisings or quilting bees.

Live in the community for at least several months to a year. Rent or build a simple home, adopt plain dress, and eliminate modern conveniences gradually. Men grow beards (post-marriage), women wear kapps (prayer coverings) and modest dresses. Learn Pennsylvania Dutch through immersion—classes are rare.

During this time, ministers will observe your sincerity, work ethic, and integration. Pushiness or constant questioning can raise red flags.

Step 3: Instruction and Preparation for Baptism

If the community and leadership approve, you’ll enter baptismal instruction classes, often lasting 9–18 weeks, held on church Sundays. These cover the Dordrecht Confession (a key Anabaptist document), the Ordnung, church history, and expectations of membership.

You’ll study Scripture deeply and demonstrate understanding. Candidates face a trial period to live fully by the rules. The congregation votes on acceptance.

Step 4: Baptism and Full Membership

Baptism is the pivotal rite—adult believer’s baptism by pouring water, symbolizing lifelong commitment. Questions emphasize renouncing the world, submitting to Christ and the church, and upholding the Ordnung.

Post-baptism, you’re a full member: eligible for marriage within the church, subject to discipline (including potential shunning for serious violations), and expected to contribute fully. This vow is taken extremely seriously; breaking it has spiritual and social consequences.

Step 5: Ongoing Integration and Adaptation

Life continues with farming, crafting, raising children, and attending bi-weekly church. You’ll develop skills like gardening, animal husbandry, woodworking, or food preservation. Community events foster bonds, but privacy is limited—everyone knows everyone’s business.

A Typical Day in Amish Life: What to Expect

Wake before dawn (often 4–5 AM for farmers). Morning chores: milking cows, feeding animals, preparing breakfast from scratch. Families eat together—simple, hearty meals like eggs, porridge, bread, and preserves.

Work fills the day: plowing fields with horses, crafting furniture, sewing, or running a small shop. Lunch is substantial. Afternoons involve more labor, visiting neighbors, or youth activities.

Evenings: family time, reading (Bible, approved books), singing hymns. Bed by 9–10 PM. Sundays alternate between church (3–4 hour services) and rest/visiting. No TV, internet, or video games—entertainment comes from nature, games, and fellowship.

Women manage households and often contribute to income via baking or crafts. Men lead spiritually and provide. Children learn responsibility young through chores and school.

Challenges Outsiders Face

1. Culture Shock and Isolation: The shift from individualism to communal living is jarring. Decisions require church approval. Language barriers persist for years.
2. Giving Up Conveniences: No quick Amazon deliveries, streaming, or climate control. Laundry on wringer washers, lighting by lantern or battery lamps, travel by buggy or hired driver. Health issues may require balancing faith with modern medicine.
3. Family Strain: Non-Amish relatives may feel hurt or distant. Visits must respect rules.
4. Gender and Role Expectations: Traditional divisions can feel restrictive to those from egalitarian backgrounds.
5. Retention: Many converts leave due to these pressures or unmet spiritual needs.

Success stories highlight perseverance, deep faith, and supportive communities. One family detailed their multi-year journey in Becoming Amish, noting both joys and unexpected difficulties.

Benefits and Rewards

• Stronger Faith and Community: Lifelong support networks, shared purpose, and reduced materialism.
• Healthier Lifestyle: Physical labor, fresh food, less stress—studies note longevity in some groups.
• Simplicity and Gratitude: Appreciation for basics fosters contentment.
• Skill-Building: Mastery of traditional crafts and self-sufficiency.
• Purposeful Parenting: Children grow up with clear values and responsibilities.

Many describe profound peace despite hardships.

Practical Tips for Aspiring Converts

• Start small: Simplify your current life (minimalism, gardening, unplugging).
• Financial preparation: Build savings; Amish work ethic values diligence over wealth.
• Health: Address medical needs beforehand.
• Learn skills: Horse care, gardening, basic carpentry.
• Pray and seek counsel from trusted spiritual advisors.
• Explore related groups like conservative Mennonites if full Amish life feels too extreme.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can anyone join, regardless of background? Yes, race or prior life isn’t a barrier if you fully commit to the lifestyle and faith. Tattoos/piercings may need addressing for acceptance.

What about technology? Varies by settlement. Most ban personal cars, TVs, and internet. Some allow business phones or generators.

How long does the process take? Typically 1–2+ years of immersion before baptism.

Do I have to cut off my old life? No, but relationships transform. Limited contact is possible while honoring rules.

What if I change my mind? Before baptism, leaving carries no formal discipline. After, it can lead to shunning, though reconciliation is possible.

Are there seeker-friendly communities? Some are more open; research and visit to find fits.

Final Thoughts: Is the Amish Life Right for You?

Becoming Amish is not a lifestyle upgrade—it’s a total surrender to a counter-cultural way of being. It offers deep belonging and spiritual focus but requires sacrificing modern freedoms and comforts. Most who succeed do so because of an undeniable calling, not just nostalgia for simplicity.

If this resonates, begin with prayerful research and respectful visits. Connect with communities humbly. The path is narrow, but for those called, it leads to a rich, rooted existence.

Thousands dream of simplicity; few commit fully. If you do, approach with open eyes and a willing heart. The Amish way isn’t perfect, but for believers, it’s a profound expression of faith in action.