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

union prevailed. This often resulted in emotional confessional meetings. Young converts sought a person in whom they could confide, confess any sinful practices and receive prayer and personal encouragement to overcome these "sacred" sins,*3 THE RELATIONSHIP OF BAPTISM AND COMMUNION The I860 secession document spoke only to the question of true regeneration-conversion-as a prerequisite for commu- nion with no reference to the mode of baptism. Before long, however, the mode of baptism became a major concern. Im- 48 MB UNDERSTANDING OF A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH mersion came to be seen as the only biblical mode. Abraham H. Unruh attributed this strict emphasis to the narrowness of some leaders. In 1865 it became the rule that only immersed believers could partake of communion. The Lord's table be- came the table of the Mennonite Brethren fellowship, exclud- ing all true believers from other groups.54 This position softened with time. In 1899, in Steinbach, South Russia, the first "open" communion took place.35 At the 1903 conference in Waldheim there was an agreement to ac- cept differences on this question. In 1910 a fuller understand- ing and mutuality resolved the remaining tensions between the two camps* After 1903 and 1910, Mennonite Brethren church- es accepted guests at communion from fellowships that did not practice immersion, based upon recommendations from recog- nized leaders who could vouch for their spiritual character. Where possible the guests shared their testimony of salvation and continuing Christian life* In North America, however, Mennonite Brethren churches changed more slowly. Only in the 1920s and 1930s did they begin to accept non-immersed people from other fellowships at the communion table. Prayer as a means of grace in addition to the Word (Bible), baptism, and communion was prominent in Menno- nite Brethren practice. Worship services typically began with hymn singing, Scripture reading and prayer. Members of the congregation shared in a time of public prayer, the length of which was governed only by the spirit of participation, 'Hie need for personal daily devotions in Scripture reading and prayer was part of the fellowship covenant. There was also an emphasis on daily family devotions and prayer in which all family members participated. Mid-week Bible studies also emphasized prayer, where experiences of answered prayer frequently became the subject of testimony.57 AN EXPANDING FELLOWSHIP The Mennonite Brethren understanding of the New Testa- 49 A PILGRIMAGE OF FAITH ment church is not complete without recognizing the wid