A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

concern can be seen from the fact that no resolutions have ever been passed at General Conference sessions related to the ministry of deacons. There is, however, one reference to the ministry of deaconesses in the conference minutes of 1919. At that convention the question was raised whether the conference should enter into the endeavor of training deaconesses and also recognize that office. In response the conference elected a committee to do some preliminary work, 27 but there is no record of any subsequent conference action in this matter. In recent years many questions have been raised in Mennonite Brethren churches with regard to the role and relevance of this ministry in the present day. Material affluence and state welfare seem to make the office unnecessary. The motivation for change, however, appears to be rooted in democratic thought rather than in biblical insight. In general Mennonite Brethren still believe that the diaconate is scriptural and relevant, but its role must be redefined in the light of changing cultural and economic conditions. The responses to the previously mentioned questionnaire indicate that Mennonite Brethren are going through a process of change of their views and practices regarding the ministry of deacons. Trends with Regard to the Term of Service A question which has often surfaced in the discussion on the diaconate in the last decade or two is whether deacons should be elected and ordained for life, or for a definite time period. Since the work and term of service of the pastor is subject to periodic reviews, the argument runs, the work and tenure of deacons should be treated in the same manner. Moreover, leading brethren in the conference have emphasized the fact that ordination in the New Testament is not for an "office" or position for life, but for a specific function or service. The latter view would make room for a specified term of service, or at least give the congregation the right to review the role and function of deacons. This new approach is reflected more strongly in the responses from the churches in the United States. All congregations in the Southern District answering this question report that they elect their deacons for a specific time period. Terms of service range from one to five years, with the average being about three years. In the Central District only one church still ordains deacons for life, the rest have also adopted the policy of commissioning deacons for a term of several years. In the Pacific District most churches elect couples for a definite term of service. Some churches indicated that the older deacons were retained for 314 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH life. Others stated that deacons elected for a definite period could be reelected. In several instances it is mentioned that this change in policy has only been made in recent years. A few congregations report that they have no deacons. The Canadian M.