A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

nt and residence in the cities; and practically all families who arrived after World War II located in the city or moved to the city after a brief stay with relatives on the farm. In the latter group there were many who already had an urban experience in Europe. In Mennonite Brethren churches in such cities as Winnipeg, Calgary, or Vancouver, most members are first or second generation Canadians. 26 According to the statistical information presented above, more than one-third of all Mennonite Brethren in North America now live in larger cities. The proportion of urban to rural membership varies, naturally, from province to province and from district to district. In Manitoba, for instance, more than 55 percent of Mennonite Brethren are classified as urban, the majority of these living in Winnipeg. In California more than 40 percent of all Mennonite Brethren live in cities. If the congregations in the larger towns (e.g. Reedley, Dinuba, Sliafter, etc.) should be added, the percentage could easily be doubled. The trend in all areas of the M.B. constituency is toward greater urbanization. What does this mean for the future of the spiritual heirs of the Anabaptists?" In the urban situation Mennonite Brethren are confronted with new and unprecedented opportunities for growth and expansion. City churches have excellent opportunities for systematic instruction and spiritual nurture of members. Their Sunday services and weekday meetings are not affected by poor roads or inclement weather, which often result in the cancellation of services in isolated and scattered rural churches, especially during the winter months. More significant, perhaps, are the many opportunities for an effective community outreach. There are virtually "doors unlimited" for personal evangelism, tract distribution, visitation work, city mission work, teaching children's classes, etc. Many urban congregations are deeply involved in an intensive program of "evangelism in depth," unknown to rural churches and perhaps beyond their range of possibility. On the other hand, Mennonite Brethren in city churches are exposed to serious dangers. In his studies Leland Harder found that "the more urban a Mennonite congregation, the less likely a member to register as a war dissenter; but the more urban a Mennonite congregation, the more likely it is to recruit members from the non-Mennonite world." 28 It would thus appear, that as congregations become more "acculturated," they are increasingly tempted to surrender their spiritual heritage and their confessional identity. There is a greater pressure in the urban environment to conform to the FACING CULTURAL CHANGE 335 42. The Rueckenau Church in Russia. Built in 1883. common ethical norms and practices of the community, or of other churches. There are other moral and spiritual hazards which Mennonite Brethren in an urban setting have to face. Urban life has a tendency to weaken family