A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

California also have to face the language issue as did their older German-speaking sister congregations. One congregation in Fresno uses the Spanish language exclusively at present (1972) and another has entered the stage of bilingualism. Of the nine congregations still having German services in 1940, none were using the German language twenty years later. 10 In general it would appear that the language change in the United States was not nearly as controversial an issue as it was in Canada. There were a few voices that pled for retaining the German language for public worship. A concern for the spiritual nurture of older members is mentioned frequently in the reports as an argument not to change. The apprehension was also expressed that with the introduction of the English language "English customs" would enter the church. The reasons given for changing from German to English in public meetings are interesting. Along with such weighty arguments as the spiritual needs of the young people (who could no longer understand the German) and the desire for a more effective outreach in an English-speaking community, some secondary causes for change are also mentioned. The inability of the new pastor to understand or speak German, for instance, is given as the reason for change in several congregations. It would appear that the introduction of the "pastoral system" and the language change were parallel phenomena in a number of congregations. The long-range effects of this transition from German to English are generally positive according to the reports from the churches. The withdrawal of some older members from active involvement in the work and worship of the church has been compensated by improved community relations, and by a greater interest on the part of the young people in the study of the Scriptures and in Christian service. The fear of some older brethren, however, that with the breach of the language barrier unwholesome influences would find their way more easily into the churches, was not completely unfounded. A sense of nonconformity and separation from the world, which was formerly reinforced by a linguistic barrier, can now be maintained only by a greater effort in systematic teaching of biblical principles and by the cultivation of a deeper spiritual life. Not all congregations have risen to the challenge of new opportunities on the one hand, and new dangers on the other, provided by the assimilation to the larger "outside" language group. The Language Problem in Canada Although the early Mennonite Brethren in Canada were not as conservative culturally as the Old Colony, Kleine Gemeinde, or Sommerfelder Mennonites, they nevertheless were concerned about FACING CULTURAL CHANGE 327 preserving the German language for their families and churches. At the second annual convention held in Herbert (Saskatchewan) in 1911 the brethren agreed "to appoint a committee which is to explore ways