The following terms reflect the culture of the Church of the Brethren, a denomination grounded on the principles of Anabaptism and founded through the Pietist efforts of Alexander Mack, in the summer of 1708 near the small German village of Schwarzenau. This resource is not an exhaustive compilation of all denominational terminology, for space precludes the incorporation of vast amounts of information, which might also be garnered from other Brethren works, such as the Brethren Encyclopedia, Brethren Bibliography, European Origin, Brethren in America, Ephrata Cloister, 19th Century Acculturation, Brethren Timeline, Brethren Groups, and Brethren Genealogy. We have also included a few Internet related terms because this technology is fast becoming a part of our denominational culture. You are encouraged to share your comments, suggestions, or corrections with the Web Administrator.

---

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Lafiya

    African word from the Hausa language meaning "health or well-being." This word was adopted for a Church of the Brethren medical program (Annual Conference, 1971) that trained Nigerian doctors and nurses, working in cooperation with the Basel Mission and churches in West German. Presently, it is also a wellness program sponsored by Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC), that stresses a ministry of wholeness in congregations, districts, and related agencies, through identifying the need for both giving and receiving care.

La Verne, University of

See Brethren Affiliated Colleges: La Verne.

Laying on of Hands

    Act of blessing proffered from one in leadership upon another. Biblical references abound for blessings under many different circumstances: Genesis 48 (father to sons), Numbers 8:10 (dedication of Levites), Matthew 19:13 (Jesus to children), Luke 4:40 (healing of fever), Acts 6:6 (consecration or installation), Acts 13:3 (ordination). The Church of the Brethren usually practices the Laying on of Hands during three different services: baptism of new members, anointing, and consecration of officers.

See also Anointing.

List Server

    Listserv is an abbreviation of List Server. It is a communications software package that resides on a file server and distributes e-mail to a list (serves the list) of people who generally have similar interests. For example, one person will send a message to the server, and it will then forward a copy of that message to everyone on the list. The process is so transparent that members sometimes forget that their initial e-mail is really communicating with a single computer, and not the group at large. For this reason, members often forget the predefined instructions that the server is expecting. Instructions which allow them to subscribe, unsubscribe, and make additional requests. ListServ originated on BITNET and is now growing in popularity the Internet.

    The Church of the Brethren enjoys the benefits of several independently administered list servers. Mike Willoughby operates two general-topic discussion lists: COB-L - for adult oriented topics and COB-YYA - for youth and young adult themes. Joe Bosserman moderates a topic dedicated list at ROOTSWEB - operated for research and the exchange of history & genealogical information, and Bob Gross moderates MOL-L for the Ministry of Reconciliation of OEPA.

See also Newsgroup

www.cob-net.org/discussion.htm

Love Feast

    A three-part Brethren service of Communion which includes feet washing, the meal, and the sacraments of the bread and cup. This historical observance of the Brethren is unique among Protestant denominations, for most do not include feet washing or the meal, but rather follow a pattern of the bread and cup only. Even many Anabaptist traditions which observe feet washing do not include the meal. The fellowship meal is based on several Eucharist scriptures: “And supper being ended...” John 13:2, “...feasts of charity.” Jude 12.

Continue ToNext Section