A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

bandoned, but revived. 4. Brotherhood Concerns A bout the Ministry The Board of Reference and Counsel (Fuersorgekomitee) of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches has the con- stitutional mandate to exercise spiritual watchfulness over doctrine and practice in M.B. congregations. This board has also repeatedly expressed its concerns with regard to the calling and function of ministers. In earlier years this concern was related to ordination procedures. In 1933 the brethren made the following recommendation to the conference: The local church which wishes to ordain a brother should make its wish known to the representatives of the neighboring churches for their consideration and endorsement. Having received such endorsement the church will call some experienced brethren who have the confidence of our conference to officiate at the ordination. 16 In the period following World War II, when many younger men came into the pulpits and pastorates of Mennonite Brethren churches — especially in the United States — the concern for sound doctrine and spiritual unity took on new dimensions and found expression in warnings, cautions and recommendations by the Board of Reference and Counsel. In a statement at the 1948 General Conference the board warns against "the various spiritually disintegrating influences" and counsels the brotherhood to refrain from calling "teachers of the Word" from churches outside the conference fellowship "because they frequently hold teachings which we as a Mennonite Brethren Conference cannot endorse." 11 After emphasizing the scriptural qualifications for men who are to be called to the ministry, the board recommends the following practice and procedure to safeguard the spiritual unity in the brotherhood: The appointed leadership in our churches should consist of brethren who have received their training in our own conference and have proven themselves for a period of several years as true and faithful to the doctrine and policies of the Mennonite Brethren Church. In cases where brethren who do not meet the above qualifications are considered for appointment in our churches, the Committee recommends that such brethren be examined thoroughly as to their testimony of life, their doctrinal beliefs, and policies of church administration. Where the district conference has made no provision for an authorized body to take the responsibility for such an examination it is advised that the Committee of Reference and Counsel of the respective district ... be charged with the responsibility of the examination. Only with the endorsement of the examining committee should the local church consider the appointment of such a brother. 18 SERVING WITH VARIOUS GIFTS 311 The conference responded positively to this recommendation and expressed its appreciation for the concern and work of the board by a standing vote. Moreover it reelected the incumbent board members — A. H. Unr