The Amish Goodie Gang of the 1950s: A Story of Changing Identity and Spiritual Renewal

Keywords

Lancaster County (PA), Beachy Amish-Mennonite, New Order Amish, Rumspringa, Maranatha Amish-Mennonite, division, revival

Abstract

Revivals of the 1950s and 60s spawned a movement of spiritual and practical change within the Amish community of Lancaster County, PA. Out of those changes came an unusual Amish gang called the Goodies. They were thus named because of refusing to engage with their old friends in the Amish tradition of Rumspringa. This article describes the beginnings of the Goodie gang and the consequential divisions that sprung out of this movement, including four new Amish-Mennonite congregations in Lancaster County. In conclusion, the paper reflects on some mission activity spawned by those within the Goodie gang in the years following.

Recommended Citation

Stoltzfus, Chris A. 2019. "The Amish Goodie Gang of the 1950s: A Story of Changing Identity and Spiritual Renewal." Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies 7(1):44-53.