The Unwritten Rules That Guide Amish Life
Welcome back, friends.
In my last post, we traveled to 17th-century Switzerland and met Jakob Ammann, the fiery reformer whose convictions gave birth to the Amish church. We followed their journey across the Atlantic to Pennsylvania, where they finally found freedom to practice their faith. But once they arrived, a question emerged: How exactly does a community stay faithful generation after generation?
The answer is the Ordnung.
Pronounced OR-dnoong (with that soft ‘g’ at the end), this German word literally means “order” or “ordinance.” But to understand the Amish, you have to understand that the Ordnung isn’t just a set of rules—it’s the invisible architecture of their entire way of life.
What Exactly Is the Ordnung?
If you were to ask an Amish person to describe the Ordnung, they probably wouldn’t hand you a booklet or a list. Because here’s the thing: the Ordnung is almost entirely unwritten. It lives in the collective memory of the community, passed down through teaching, example, and the gentle (or not-so-gentle) correction of those who stray.
Think of it less as a rulebook and more as a fence around a pasture. The fence doesn’t tell the sheep where to eat or how to live; it simply marks the boundaries. Inside those boundaries, there’s plenty of freedom. The grass is green, the sun is warm, and the flock lives in peace. But step outside the fence, and you’re in dangerous territory.
The Ordnung serves the same purpose. It defines the boundaries of acceptable Amish life—not to restrict for restriction’s sake, but to protect the community and preserve its faithfulness to God and to one another.
What’s Inside the Fence?
The Ordnung covers nearly every aspect of daily life. While specifics vary from community to community (more on that in a moment), here are the major categories:
Dress: Perhaps the most visible aspect of the Ordnung. Amish clothing is simple, modest, and uniform—designed to minimize individuality and emphasize community identity. You’ll notice no zippers or buttons (hooks and eyes are used instead), no patterns or prints (solid colors only), and for men, no mustaches (more on that fascinating detail in a future post). The clothing isn’t a costume; it’s a constant, physical reminder of who they are and Whose they are.
Technology: This is what most outsiders are curious about. Why no cars? Why no electricity? The answer isn’t that the Amish believe technology is evil. Rather, they ask a different question: What will this technology do to our community?
A car, for example, offers convenience and speed. But it also allows a family to live farther from their neighbors, to travel to distant towns for entertainment, to become independent in ways that weaken the close-knit fabric of community life. The horse and buggy, by contrast, keeps you local. It limits how far you can go, which means your social life remains centered on your family and your immediate neighbors.
Electricity raises similar concerns. It would power televisions, computers, and other devices that bring the outside world—with its values and distractions—directly into the home. The Amish aren’t Luddites trying to smash machines. They’re thoughtful discerners, asking whether each new technology will draw them together or pull them apart.
Relationships: The Ordnung governs courtship, marriage, and family life. Young people typically court within the church, and marriage is seen not just as a union of two people but as the foundation of a new household that will serve the community and raise the next generation in the faith.
Worship: Amish services are held every other Sunday in members’ homes, rotating through the community. The service lasts about three hours, includes hymns sung slowly in German (without instrumental accompaniment), and features a sermon based on Scripture. Afterward, the family hosts a simple meal for the congregation.
The Local Nature of the Ordnung
Here’s where it gets really interesting. The Ordnung isn’t the same everywhere. Different Amish affiliations—sometimes called “fellowships”—have different standards. In some communities, you’ll see Amish using treadle sewing machines (powered by foot) but not compressed air tools. In others, the reverse might be true.
This local variation is part of the genius of the Amish system. Each community discerns together what works for them, what protects their particular way of life, what keeps the fence strong. A decision that makes sense in the rolling hills of Lancaster County might not work on the vast plains of Indiana, and that’s okay.
The bishop and the elders play a crucial role here. They’re not dictators imposing rules from on high. They’re shepherds, helping the community discern the path of faithfulness. And twice a year, before Communion, the entire congregation gathers to reaffirm the Ordnung together. Any changes are discussed and agreed upon as a body. It’s democracy with a spiritual foundation.
What Happens When Someone Steps Outside the Fence?
This is where many outsiders get uncomfortable, and I understand why. When a member violates the Ordnung—whether by buying a car, engaging in premarital sex, or simply refusing to heed the counsel of the elders—the community doesn’t look the other way.
The process begins privately. A brother or sister in the church will gently confront the erring member, urging them to repent and return. If that doesn’t work, a small group from the church gets involved. Only if all else fails does the matter come before the entire congregation.
If the member remains unrepentant, the church may impose the Bann—excommunication. In some communities, this is accompanied by Meidung, or shunning. The member is no longer welcomed at the communion table, no longer embraced as part of the fellowship. Family members may even limit social contact, though they still provide practical help in emergencies.
To outsiders, this can seem harsh, even cruel. But from within the Amish perspective, it’s an act of love. The goal isn’t punishment—it’s restoration. The hope is always that the erring member will see the error of their ways and return to the fold. And when they do, the community welcomes them back with open arms.
I once read a quote from an Amish man explaining it this way: “When a sheep wanders from the flock, the shepherd doesn’t shoot it. He goes after it. But if the sheep refuses to return, eventually it’s no longer part of the flock. That’s not cruelty—that’s reality.”
Common Misconceptions
Before we wrap up, let’s clear up a few things:
Myth: The Ordnung is about rejecting all technology.
Truth: It’s about discerning which technologies strengthen community and which weaken it.
Myth: The rules are the same everywhere.
Truth: Each community adapts the Ordnung to its own circumstances.
Myth: The Amish are trying to earn salvation by following rules.
Truth: The Ordnung is a response to grace, not a means of earning it. As one Amish bishop told me, “We don’t follow the Ordnung to be saved. We follow it because we are saved, and this is how we show it.”
A Personal Reflection
As I’ve studied the Ordnung, I’ve found myself asking uncomfortable questions about my own life. What are my boundaries? What fences have I built to protect what matters most? Or have I let the world set my agenda, my values, my definition of “enough”?
The Amish way isn’t for everyone. I’m not suggesting we all adopt their practices. But I am challenged by their intentionality. They don’t drift into decisions about technology or relationships. They discern together, thoughtfully, prayerfully. They ask not just “Can we do this?” but “Should we? And if we do, what will it cost us?”
In a world that rarely pauses to ask such questions, that alone is worth pondering.
Next week: Rumspringa—What Really Happens When Amish Youth Explore the Outside World
Hollywood has gotten this so, so wrong. Let’s separate fact from fiction and discover the truth about this misunderstood season of Amish life.
Have you ever wondered about a specific aspect of the Ordnung? Drop your questions in the comments!
With warmth and wonder,
Amy