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

considered ordination. In 1951 the General Con- ference reaffirmed the process by which that could be done- "The local church who wishes to ordain a brother, should make its wish known to the representatives of the sister churches for their consideration and endorsement. Having re- ceived such endorsement, the church will call some experi- enced brethren, who will have the confidence of our confer- ence to officiate at the ordination.1*11 RECOGNITION OF LEADERS AND MINISTERS The view that ministers were a gift of God, affirmed by the wider church, strengthened the profile of those chosen to lead. The conference was careful to preserve the effective function of the ministry. It took seriously any accusations that could reflect negatively on the service of ministers. In 1888, and again in 1901, the conference outlined special procedures to deal with such instances. The 1888 conference studied Scripture to determine how to proceed when an elder or minister in the church experi- enced criticism or accusations. They concluded that the min- ister, like any other brother or sister, must repent when justly accused of wrongdoing. In cases where the charge affected his qualifications for the public ministry, the church would call an elder or brother from another church fellowship to as- sist in evaluating any accusations and suggesting appropriate action to remove the hindrances. In cases where the accusa- tions were invalid, these elders or brothers were to remain and correct the accusers according to 1 Timothy 5: 19-20* 12 These procedures, and the larger concern to guard the spiritual qualifications of the ministry, remained the responsi- LEADERSHIP AND THE TEACHING MINISTRY bility of the congregation and the wider conference. In later years the General Conference Board of Reference and Coun- sel assumed this task. The admonition of 1 Timothy 5:17-18 to recognize the el- ders who rule well, to count them of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine, received strong emphasis among the early Mennonite Brethren.13 They took seriously the scriptural injunction of Hebrews 13:17: "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprof- itable for you." PREPARATION FOR THE MINISTRY The practice of referring to early Anabaptist and Menno- nite Brethren leaders as "lay ministers" must be qualified when we review the training for ministry. Any inference that these ministers were amateurs is incorre