Footwashing -- questions for those who practice it.

Elsa · Jun 8, 2009

Hello everyone --

I know that some Anabaptist congregations practice the ancient tradition of footwashing, and would like to have your thoughts on the following:

1) How often might this practice take place?

2) Who participates, and at what age?

3) Is oil involved? If so, what kind?

4) Is it true that footwashing is not held to be as important as other historical practices, such as the Lord's Supper? If so, why?

Thanks in advance,

Elsa

MrJim · Jun 8, 2009

Elsa said:
Hello everyone --

I know that some Anabaptist congregations practice the ancient tradition of footwashing, and would like to have your thoughts on the following:

I was in two denoms that practiced footwashing: Mennonite (now MennoniteUSA) & Winebrenner Churches of God. I also attended a "Love Feast" in the Church of the Brethren and there was a footwashing.

1) How often might this practice take place?

Ironically both did it 4X per year and it coincided with communion.

2) Who participates, and at what age?

All members and any guest Christians were allowed in both denoms . Now in the plainer/more conservative anabaptist churches only members in good standing would be allowed, and since I never participated I'm not sure of their details.

Men/boys & women/girls were in seperate rooms for this, and with the older mennonite guys they also completed the footwashing with a holy

3) Is oil involved? If so, what kind?

No

4) Is it true that footwashing is not held to be as important as other historical practices, such as the Lord's Supper? If so, why?

Generally there were some that didn't participate in footwashing but did recieve communion so I don't know about priorities on that one, maybe personal preference--there was no requirement to participate.

Thanks in advance,

Elsa

You're welcome ma'am..

Elsa · Jun 10, 2009

Thanks so much, Mr. Jim!

Sorry about my ignorance, but whats the irony of four times a year?

Also, I'm moderately surprised that footwashing is seen as optional, as it seems this act could be interpreted to be on the same level as drinking and eating in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice.

"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."

-- John 13:13-15

MrJim · Jun 11, 2009

Elsa said:
Thanks so much, Mr. Jim!

Sorry about my ignorance, but whats the irony of four times a year?

Also, I'm moderately surprised that footwashing is seen as optional, as it seems this act could be interpreted to be on the same level as drinking and eating in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice.

"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."

-- John 13:13-15

I've really no understanding as why the 4x per year thing~~some say it's because they don't want it to become routine.

That it's optional~~it's a symbol in the way that communion is a symbol~they don't view it as a sacramental rite. It's strongly encouraged but not particularly required where I went-it may very well be required amongst the plainer churches.

bliz · Jun 11, 2009

Elsa said:
Also, I'm moderately surprised that footwashing is seen as optional, as it seems this act could be interpreted to be on the same level as drinking and eating in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice.

I quite agree. Reading the Scripture, the command to wash feet seems as strong as the command to rememebr Him with bread and wine.

John 13

14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

But by and large, we treat foot washing as optional.

Elsa · Jun 11, 2009

Mr. Jim -- So do they pick four different dates each year, or keep them the same?

Bliz -- Hello and thanks for your input, as well. It really does seem as if footwashing is optional in many groups who participate in it.

A couple more questions, if anyone feels like addressing them:

* Is it true that some groups politely ask congregants to come with clean footwear?

* Is it true that some groups only wash one foot instead of both?

Thanks again,

Elsa

MrJim · Jun 11, 2009

Elsa said:
Mr. Jim -- So do they pick four different dates each year, or keep them the same?

Bliz -- Hello and thanks for your input, as well. It really does seem as if footwashing is optional in many groups who participate in it.

A couple more questions, if anyone feels like addressing them:

* Is it true that some groups politely ask congregants to come with clean footwear?

* Is it true that some groups only wash one foot instead of both?

Thanks again,

Elsa

I'm not sure on the dates~~generally seasonal though there may have been some specific date (every 3d Sunday of every 4th month sorta thing).

As to the rubrics: We were never told about clean footwear-it was sorta understood you should trim your nails and such but ultimately it didn't matter, whatever feet were in front of me were what was washed, which simply meant feet were placed into a basin, you'd take each foot, scoop some water over them, then remove them from the basin and dry them off. Never have I been where we only washed one foot, and I'd never heard of that before.

Again though different groups may have different practices.

Antje · Jun 12, 2009

I've heard of washing only one foot.

My church doesn't practice this with any regularity. I think I've been part of footwashing about 4 or 5 times in my life, and it's always been in a smaller group setting such as a youth group or Bible study group.

I know there are some EMC (Evangelical Mennonite Church, also known as Kleine Gemeinde) churches that practice footwashing several times per year.

I also think it would be good to practice it more frequently. It has not had the same amount of significance attached to it as the Lord's Supper, but scripture shows Jesus talking about it in a similar manner. I don't recall ever hearing about 1st-century Christians practising it, so perhaps its "lower" status was that way right from the beginning? Then again, I'm not well-read in early Christian history beyond the basics.

I've never heard of using oil.

thebookthief33 · Jun 12, 2009

Possibly the reason it has always had a lower status is because it is not a very comfortable thing for people. There is a certain vulnerability to letting someone else wash your feet, while others are disgusted by the idea of washing for fear of smells and dirt. I do think that people should practice it more because it reminds us of our call to serve others.

MrJim · Jun 12, 2009

thebookthief33 said:
Possibly the reason it has always had a lower status is because it is not a very comfortable thing for people. There is a certain vulnerability to letting someone else wash your feet, while others are disgusted by the idea of washing for fear of smells and dirt. I do think that people should practice it more because it reminds us of our call to serve others.

Welcome to CF~~you make an excellent point. Footwashing is done on your knees before another; we don't do that sort of thing in the "normal" world.

yeshuaslavejeff · Jun 13, 2009

The ekklesia of the silent lips in communist china do.
They are the only ones I've read about, heard about, seen, or know about in any way that do in humble obedient right with Yhvh life in Yahshua.
They are humble without ostentation, without self-conceit, without selfconsciousness.
I don't remember any other group that is known for their humility.
.
.Anywhere.
.

Elsa · Jun 16, 2009

Here's something to ponder: are there other undertakings that could be considered to be as humbling/serving as the act of footwashing?

bliz · Jun 16, 2009

I find it very easy to wash other people's feet, if my knees could stand it, I could do it all day.

Having my feet washed is another thing all together. I find that much more difficult.

Elsa · Jun 17, 2009

I always found Peter's reaction to be of interest:

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?"

Jesus answered and said unto him, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter."

Peter saith unto him, "Thou shalt never wash my feet."

Jesus answered him, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me."

Simon Peter saith unto him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."

-- John 13:6-9

Footwashing -- questions for those who practice it.

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