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

the needs and weaknesses of the congregation openly and directly. Their identity as ser- vants of God added authority to their message. The fact that they were unpaid precluded the tension that can arise when a salaried pastor speaks words of exhortation and rebuke, 3. The diversity of gifts provided a broad exposition of biblical truth. Ministers prayed earnestly for spiritual guidance in the selection of texts. They would frequently introduce their message with the preface, "The Lord has laid the follow- ing word upon my heart as his message to us," The variation in the style of communication was an additional benefit. Usu- ally there were two messages in a worship service preceded or followed by a period of prayer led by a third minister In most cases a minister who was not preaching led the service. Younger men in whom the church had recognized the gift for preaching would usually bring the first of the two messages, thus gradually drawing them into the responsibility of the teaching/preaching ministry. Broad participation from the congregation was encouraged in the time of prayer and in the selection of songs. All this contributed to an informal worship service of the people, not a service conducted for the people. 4. Ministers did not limit their responsibilities to the pul- pit. A vital personal caring ministry of house visitation under- girded their teaching and preaching. Each family received a visit once or twice a year (more frequently in the case of known spiritual needs). Two ministers or one minister with a deacon would make these visits, which consisted of personal sharing, study of the Word and prayer. The intimate personal acquaintance of ministers and members added much to the effectiveness of the church's caring, teaching and preaching ministry. 64 LEADERSHIP AND THE TEACHING MINISTRY The multiple ministry also had its weaknesses, however. Where a minister lacked the proper educational preparation (and some did), the biblical exposition could be meager The itinerant ministry provided periodic teaching and inspiration for such congregations by ministers of greater depth. In spite of some weaknesses, the multiple ministry provided stable leadership in contrast to the usually short tenure of the paid pastoral system. OFFICE OF THE ELDERS The office of elder, which required an ordination of its own beyond the ordination for ministry, has been a puzzle in Mennonite Brethren history. John A. Toews called it "some- what of an enigma."51 The records of the earliest years of Mennonite Brethren history provided no rationale