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

been the case formerly. These changes produced departures from es- tablished policies that had been formulated by the conference through long years of biblical study and application. Because congregations had become less willing to accept conference decisions on ethics and social and spiritual stan- dards, the document called for a reaffirmation of the historic interdependence of Mennonite Brethren churches.10 The 1951 conference agreed to a series of principles^ 1. That each local church is independent in the admin- istration of its internal affairs and functions as an indepen- dent unit. 2. That we as a conference are a brotherhood of churches. We are, as our official name implies, The Church of the Mennonite Brethren Conference of North America, not the Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches of North America. As such we carry mutual re- sponsibility for the spiritual conditions in the churches and for the preservation of the purity of faith and doctrine as expressed in our practice. 3. That we as churches of the conference recognize 223 A PILGRIMAGE OF FAITH resolutions and decisions of the conference as morally binding and obligate ourselves to observe and carry them out to the best of our ability as faithful and cooperating members of the brotherhood.11 The Board of Reference and Counsel-functioning as a board of elders-was charged to direct and oversee the expres- sion of these policies.12 THEOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS The strong emphasis on individual spiritual gifts of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s failed to sufficiently recognize the leadership priorities in the midst of plurality. While each gift of ministry is valuable, the New Testament singles out apos- tles, prophets and teachers. Three terms appear identifying these ministries as overseers, presbyters and shepherds (Acts 16:4; 20:28; Eph. 4:11; Titus 1:5). This body of leadership, al- ways multiple in the church, is responsible for oversight, shepherding and teaching.13 It has the assignment of equip- ping "all" members for the work of the ministry of the body of Christ, The "some" with leadership function (Eph. 4:11) are always multiple, never single. Their ministry is a function within the church, not an office. The style of leadership, meanwhile, is one of servanthood, as Jesus so strongly asserted when he said, "He who is great- est among you shall be a servant." This emphasis appears seven times in the Gospels (Mart, 20:27-28; 23:11; Mk, 9:35; 10:43-44; Lk. 9:48; 22:26-27; John 13:14), Peter underlines this servanthood relationship: "Feed the flock of God which is among you