A Pilgrimage Of Faith, J.B. Toews, 1993

thnicity), however valid and just in its own right, does not exempt the succeeding group from facing the very same problem in the second and third genera- tion as the new ethnicity is formed,"24 Clearly, the Mennonite Brethren have been seriously af- fected by dramatic changes in their surrounding environment, While they remain fervently committed to God's unchanging revelation in Jesus Christ, the environment of a changing cul- ture may require new forms of expression. The more radical such changes, the more difficult it becomes for a believing community to order their life as true followers of Jesus. The task ahead for Mennonite Brethren will not be an easy one. 216 CHAPTER 17 How shall we then be led? An important strength of the early Mennonite Brethren movement was its distinctive form of church governance, or polity. Societal trends and imported religious influences have put this polity under increasing assault. Today it is at risk of disappearing entirely. Christians have never agreed on which form of gover- nance they should use. In the post-Reformation era, three major types emerged, all claiming to be drawn from biblical patterns: Episcopal, Presbyterian and Congregational.1 Episcopal Polity-Governance by Bishops In this form, the primary unit of the church is the diocese, a district or province of churches. Each diocese is governed by a bishop. Every church belongs to the diocese, and is ac- countable to the bishop of the diocese. Episcopal polity emphasizes the offices to which leaders are appointed or elected. It makes a sharp distinction be- tween clergy and laity. Clergy often have the sole authority to govern the local church. The biblical basis for this polity is the Jerusalem model: the leadership of the Apostles, especially Peter, John and James. It is practiced in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Ortho- dox and Anglican/Episcopal churches. Presbyterian Polity-Governance by Elders Here the primary unit of the church is the presbytery. Every church belongs to a presbytery and is accountable to it. 217 A PILGRIMAGE OF FAITH The presbytery is governed by a body of ruling and teaching elders. The ruling elders are laypersons; the teaching elders are ministers. The local church is also governed by a body of elders composed of lay elders and the ministers of the church. The Presbyterian model, based on the letters of Paul, places emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit rather than on fixed offices, Lutherans and Methodists also follow this model of governance. Congregational-Local Church Governance 0 The Congregational m