3 Reasons Why Amish DON’T Want You To Join Them

In the above video I explain why Amish don’t want – or maybe the better word is “need” – outsiders to join them.

In a nutshell, the Amish do not typically seek converts, and there are a few reasons why.

1. The Amish don’t need converts

One very practical reason that they Amish don’t want you to join them is the fact that the Amish have large families – very large families.

Six, eight, even 10 or more children is not uncommon. And the majority of those children choose to become members of the Amish church. It varies by group, but typically 80% or more is the norm.

So they’re not a group that has problems in terms of their growth. On the contrary, they’re rapidly growing.

So the Amish tend to put a lot of their focus on their own. And most Amish parents would like their children to also choose an Amish path.

The Amish decide whether or not to be baptized once they reach adulthood – usually in the18-22 age range.

That said – at least in healthy situations – they are accepting of those that decide that the Amish way is not for them.

2. It’s very difficult for outsiders to join

There’s also a practical issue here. It’s typically very difficult for outsiders to join the Amish.

If you can imagine the drastic change in lifestyle that you would have as a non-Amish person becoming Amish, just in terms of the technology, the clothing, the lifestyle.

And it’s also a question of the mentality too. That’s because, at least in America, we put an emphasis on individualism. The personal is often prioritized above the community.

Where in contrast, in the Amish world, the community tends to come first over the personal.

So you have sort of a change in mentality required there, to be able to successfully join and remain Amish.

Now, the Amish are definitely still individuals, but the emphasis is on the good of the community. An emphasis on being selfless in terms of being more community-focused. And some people struggle with that.

3. They don’t proselytize

The Amish are not a strain of Christianity that emphasizes gaining converts. They’re not a proselytizing group.

So they tend to take care of their own. if someone does want to join, that is possible, but it’s not something that the Amish actively seek. It’s simply not a self-promoting strain of Christianity (for lack of a better term).

There’s a saying you may hear some Amish repeat and that’s, in essence, “let your light shine, but don’t shine it in someone’s face”.

So in other words, it’s about being an example – but not actively trying to convert people or convince them that the Amish way of Christianity is the best way and is the way that they should go.

That said, it’s not impossible to join the Amish

Now that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to join the Amish. For those that do attempt to join the Amish, there are some more “seeker-friendly” groups and communities where that may be easier than in others.

One example that often comes up is the New Order Amish. I did do a much longer video on joining the Amish and gave some examples of people who had joined the Amish, including Marlene Miller.

Marlene was a woman in Ohio who became Amish, and lived as an Amish person for over 50 years.

A Final Note

For anyone considering joining the Amish, it’s always good to know what you are getting into. Most people who express that interest (online at least) are not serious about it.

In many cases, they express such interest because they have personal problems or are frustrated with something in their lives, and/or romanticize what they think is the Amish way of things.

But there is a small percentage of such people which I would say are good candidates to become Amish. Those tend to be the people who have, or manage to develop, a good understanding of what Amish life is all about.

The basis of that is Christianity, and the Amish believe in a lived faith. The cultural and lifestyle aspects that everyone talks about are part of it. But those are not the vehicle to get one to heaven (although some Amish might feel that it helps).

People who approach Amish life thinking it is an “alternate lifestyle” – or a way to “live green” or off-the-grid – or to locate themselves in a community of “perfect people”…inevitably will end up disappointed.

For more, see:

• Can Outsiders Join The Amish?
• 5 Reasons People Leave the Amish
• Amish Convert Marlene Miller Shares Her Story
• When a son joins the Amish
• 6 Reasons Why People FAIL To Join The Amish

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