A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

OUS GIFTS 307 The survey referred to above indicates that a variety of arguments have been advanced for engaging a full-time pastor. These range all the way from the desire to "conform to the American pattern" to a concern for a "more effective ministry." In some instances the transition appears to have been made by default, because it was "an assumed necessity" and there were "no lay ministers available." The deeply felt need for men who would be better trained, who would be able to communicate well in the English language, and who would be able to win and retain the young people for the church — all played an important part in engaging full-time pastors. The larger congregations, especially in an urban setting, tried to meet the need for more visitation and counseling of members by calling a man who could devote himself to these pastoral duties. Generally, the short-range effects of this transition from a multiple lay ministry to a "professional" ministry appear to be quite positive. Churches report that as a result of this change they enjoy "better preaching," and the "organizational structure of the church has been improved." Others attribute growth in membership and increased church attendance to the work of a full-time pastor. Greater progress in community outreach is also ascribed to the vision and work of the pastor. Some responses, however, reflect a deep concern with regard to the effects of this change in Mennonite Brethren congregations. It is pointed out, that as a result of the new pattern, "lay participation and interest in church leadership has generally diminished." Others add that less involvement of laymen has resulted in shifting too much responsibility to the pastor. In one instance the general failure of church discipline is ascribed to this change in the spiritual supervision of the congregation. This view seems to be borne out by the responses received to the questions dealing with church practices, which may, however, be a historical coincidence since many other factors are involved in producing this trend. It is perhaps too early to make a proper assessment of the impact of this change from the multiple ministry to the one-pastor-ministry in the Mennonite Brethren Church. The inadequacy of the "pastoral system" is realized by an increasing number of laymen as well as pastors. Waldo Hiebert, a pastor with many years of experience, shares this view. "It is hardly possible," he writes, "to see the New Testament church without a multipastoral system. The ministry in the early Christian church was a shared ministry. Paul appointed elders for the new churches, always in the plural. There was a uniqueness in sharing the ministry." 13 308 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH 3 Developments in Canada The pattern of development in church polity and practice of Mennonite Brethren churches in Canada generally conformed to that of their sister congregations in t