Introduction
The Bruderhof (German for 'place of brothers') is a communal Anabaptist Christian movement that was founded in Germany in 1920 by Eberhard Arnold. The movement has communities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Paraguay, and Australia. The Bruderhof practises believer's baptism, non-violence and peacemaking, common ownership, the proclamation of the gospel, and lifelong faithfulness in marriage. The Bruderhof is an intentional community as defined by the Fellowship for Intentional Community. The communities are best known by the name "Bruderhof" or sometimes "Bruderhof Communities", although "Bruderhof" is the name used on their website.
The communities are legally incorporated in the US as Church Communities International. Their corporation used to be called The Society of Brothers (1939 to 1978). Bruderhof maintained connections with the traditional Hutterite Brethren, from which they broke in 1995. The word "Bruderhof" was first used by the early Anabaptists in Moravia. As of 2024, there are 24 Bruderhof communities. The Bruderhof is a church community of Christians who, inspired by the early church, share all money and possessions. The Bruderhof, which is comprised of families and singles, has been in existence since 1920, and today has community locations in the United States, England, Germany, Austria, South Korea, Australia, and Paraguay.
The Bruderhof is an evangelical Anabaptist community that seeks to emulate the practices of early Christianity. Eberhard Arnold drew inspiration from a number of historical streams, including early Christianity, the Anabaptists, German Pietism and the German Youth Movement. Johann Blumhardt (1805–1880) and his son Christoph Blumhardt (1842–1919), both German Lutheran theologians, are important sources of Bruderhof piety. Collectively, there are around 3,000 Bruderhof living in cloistered communes worldwide, where they practice sustainable farming and fund their lifestyle through lucrative businesses manufacturing toys and furniture.
The communities are legally incorporated in the US as Church Communities International. Their corporation used to be called The Society of Brothers (1939 to 1978). Bruderhof maintained connections with the traditional Hutterite Brethren, from which they broke in 1995. The word "Bruderhof" was first used by the early Anabaptists in Moravia. As of 2024, there are 24 Bruderhof communities. The Bruderhof is a church community of Christians who, inspired by the early church, share all money and possessions. The Bruderhof, which is comprised of families and singles, has been in existence since 1920, and today has community locations in the United States, England, Germany, Austria, South Korea, Australia, and Paraguay.
The Bruderhof is an evangelical Anabaptist community that seeks to emulate the practices of early Christianity. Eberhard Arnold drew inspiration from a number of historical streams, including early Christianity, the Anabaptists, German Pietism and the German Youth Movement. Johann Blumhardt (1805–1880) and his son Christoph Blumhardt (1842–1919), both German Lutheran theologians, are important sources of Bruderhof piety. Collectively, there are around 3,000 Bruderhof living in cloistered communes worldwide, where they practice sustainable farming and fund their lifestyle through lucrative businesses manufacturing toys and furniture.
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