What are Bruderhof Christian Communities?

Overview of the Bruderhof Christian Communities

Bruderhof Christian Communities are groups of believers committed to a life of Christian discipleship characterized by communal living, shared possessions, and dedication to serving one another and the wider world. Originating in the early 20th century, these communities strive to follow the teachings of Jesus by modeling their day-to-day life on the example of the early Church. The word “Bruderhof” itself is a German term meaning “place of brothers,” reflecting the fellowship they seek to embody.

Historical Foundations

Bruderhof communities trace their origins to 1920s Germany through the leadership of Eberhard Arnold, who desired a faith community that would put into practice Jesus’ commands to love one another (John 13:34) and share all things in common. After encountering the Hutterian writings (an Anabaptist group), Arnold was inspired to launch a communal Christian movement, believing that the model of the early Church in the Book of Acts was both a historical precedent and still applicable for contemporary believers.

Persecuted under the Nazi regime, the community fled Germany, eventually settling in places such as England and Paraguay. Over time, they established additional communities in the United States and elsewhere. Today, Bruderhof communities can be found in multiple countries, each seeking to uphold the same principles of shared faith, brotherly love, and communal living.

Core Theology and Spiritual Practices

While they trace certain roots to the broader Anabaptist tradition, Bruderhof communities also uphold beliefs commonly held by many Christians:

1. Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior: They affirm Jesus Christ as fully God and fully man, whose death and resurrection bring salvation. As it is written, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

2. Scriptural Authority: Members view the Bible as their highest authority for faith and practice. They emphasize the teachings of Jesus—especially the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7)—as central to guiding moral conduct and community life.

3. Commitment to Nonviolence: Reflecting Jesus’ teaching, particularly in Matthew 5:38–48, Bruderhof members practice pacifism, choosing to respond to conflict with peaceful means rather than violence.

4. Believer’s Baptism and Discipleship: Like many Anabaptist-influenced movements, the Bruderhof teaches that baptism is for committed believers who personally confess faith in Jesus. This emphasizes their belief that discipleship involves a conscious decision to follow Christ daily.

Through daily prayer, worship gatherings, and communal singing, they cultivate an ongoing devotion to Christ. They often recall the biblical call to love God and neighbor (Mark 12:30–31) as a foundational principle within every aspect of shared life.

Communal Life and Shared Possessions

One defining feature is their decision to hold property in common and share resources. They draw on passages describing the early Church: “All the believers were together and had everything in common” (Acts 2:44). Similarly, “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned” (Acts 4:32). These verses serve as a model for Bruderhof members, who pool finances, possessions, and labor to ensure that needs are met without individual accumulation of wealth.

In practical terms, this means:

• Members have no personal bank accounts or independent sources of income; all earnings and resources go into the community.

• Housing, meals, transportation, and education are shared responsibilities.

• Decision-making, including governance of daily affairs, is conducted communally with leaders appointed to serve and guide.

Education and Daily Work

Bruderhof communities often operate their own schools, where children are taught basic academic subjects alongside religious education, with the aim of grounding them in biblical principles and ethical values. There is also intentional emphasis on hands-on learning through practical skills such as farming, carpentry, and crafts.

Adults work in community-run businesses or in tasks that support the daily needs of the commune, ranging from agriculture to manufacturing. Income generated from their collective labor supports the entire community, and surplus is used for charitable outreach.

Commitment to Service and Outreach

Though the Bruderhof way of life is cloistered compared to mainstream society, members actively engage in compassionate service:

• Hospitality: Communities welcome visitors eager to learn more or to experience daily Bruderhof life.

• Advocacy for Peace: They often support initiatives promoting nonviolence and conflict resolution.

• Assistance to Needy: Charitable works may include donations of resources, collaboration with Christian charities, or direct relief efforts to help the underprivileged.

This outward-looking service is anchored in verses such as Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.”

Influences and Distinctives

Bruderhof communities draw on a variety of spiritual and historical influences, including:

• Anabaptism: As with other Anabaptist traditions, adult conversion, believer’s baptism, nonconformity to secular society, and nonresistance are major pillars.

• Community of Goods: While various monastic and communal movements have existed across Christian history, the Bruderhof model emphasizes active family life (rather than celibacy) within a shared economic framework.

• International Network: Having grown from a small group in Germany to a worldwide network, they have adapted to differing cultures and legal systems while maintaining their core communal principles.

Scriptural Grounds for Communal Living

Members frequently cite the example of the early Church in Acts. Such believers devoted themselves to fellowship and the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42). They also highlight passages like Matthew 25:31–46, expecting that genuine care for “the least of these” demonstrates the authenticity of Christ-centered love. The emphasis on united living is intended to keep pride, materialism, and worldly distractions at bay, consistent with John’s exhortation, “Do not love the world or the things in the world…” (1 John 2:15).

Contemporary Observations and Challenges

Scholars and sociologists studying these communities often note their cohesion, strong family orientation, and emphasis on mutual support. Some external observers raise questions about individual freedoms within a communal setting, the sustainability of such a lifestyle in modern economies, and how these communities navigate societal changes.

Nonetheless, Bruderhof members view these challenges as opportunities to reaffirm faith in God’s provision. They point to testimonies of families thriving amidst shared responsibilities, with each generation taught to center life on obedience to Christ.

Conclusion

Bruderhof Christian Communities stand as modern examples of believers seeking to practice biblical communal living. Grounded in the teachings of Jesus, they uphold a shared economy, strong emphasis on family, and dedication to service. While such a life presents distinct challenges, they continually emphasize scriptural principles that call for love of neighbor and total devotion to Christ.

For those exploring the Bruderhof model, the communities point to the enduring message found in Acts 2:44, confident that God’s design for fellowship and mutual love remains relevant in every age.