The Brethren Church is an Anabaptist Christian denomination that traces its roots back to the Schwarzenau Brethren of Germany. The Church of the Brethren subscribes to no creed but advocates following Jesus as a way of life. The central emphasis of the Church of the Brethren is not a creed, but a commitment to follow Christ in simple obedience, to be faithful disciples in the modern world. The Brethren Church emphasizes peace, simplicity, the equality of believers, and consistent obedience to Christ, and community discernment of scripture. They believe in God as Creator and loving Sustainer, confess the Lordship of Christ, and seek to be guided by the Holy Spirit in every aspect of life, thought, and mission. The Brethren Church practices believers baptism by immersion, foot washing, love feasts, and anointing with oil for spiritual or physical healing. They also teach pacifism and conscientious objection to involvement in war, and avoid taking oaths. The Brethren Church is known for its involvement in disaster relief, social justice, and foreign missions.