For many Brethren, how we live is as important as what we believe. The reason for this goes to the heart of our understanding of Jesus. We have seen him not only as the Savior who redeems us but also as the Lord who leads us in daily life. In this regard, we see his life as an example for us to emulate. We see his teachings as a guide for relating to our neighbors.
Brethren hope to live out their faith on a personal level by daily decisions and actions.
We have a heritage of seeking to settle our differences by direct conversation with one another, at times bringing in others from the church to assist. When there are needs in the church fellowship or in the community at large, Brethren have been ready to reach out. The denomination maintains a Washington Office in the nation's capital, serving as a resource for members wishing to express their opinions to political leaders, and as a voice representing the denomination in the halls of Congress. On a broader level, the church is known as one of the Historic Peace Churches. Along with the Mennonites and Quakers, Brethren have considered participation in war to be unacceptable for Christians and have based this understanding on the teachings of Jesus and on other New Testament texts.