Minister's manual: Church of the Brethren, 1946

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Copyright, 1946, by

General Ministerial Board

Church of the Brethren

Price, $1.25

Manufactured in the United States of America

by Brethren Publishing House

Elgin, Illinois

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DEDICATED TO THE MINISTERS

OF THE

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

PREFACE

The 1946 edition of the Minister's Manual for the Church
of the Brethren has been in progress for several years.
The work has been done by a committee, H. L. Hartsough,
Raymond R. Peters, M. R. Zigler, and Foster B. Statler,
appointed by the General Ministerial Board, whose mem-
bership at that time consisted of H. F. Richards, Earl M.
Frantz, Ralph E. White, T. F. Henry, and Edgar Rothrock
(deceased).

Some material from former manuals has been used. We
gratefully acknowledge our indebtedness to the authors of
the 1923 edition, A. C. Wieand, Edward Frantz and J. J.
Yoder; and to the authors of the 1940 edition, J. E. Miller
and Merlin C. Shull.

Every effort has been made to secure from owners of all
copyright materials permission to use the same, and ac-
knowledgement is made at the proper place. Should we
have erred in the use of copyright material, we express
regret for the same, and upon notification of error will
make proper acknowledgement in future editions.

It is impossible to name all who have made this volume
possible. Numerous decisions of Annual Conference are
quoted. Many had a part in making those decisions. The
section on Consolation in chapter three was prepared by
the late Edgar Rothrock. Chapter five on Worship was
prepared by Howard H. Keim, Jr. Many have helped to
shape the forms and ceremonies in the Manual.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION

I. The General Conference 13

1. Introduction 13

2. Standing Committee 14

3. Credentials and Declaration 15

4. Rules of Procedure 16

II. Church Boards, Departments and

Committees IV

1. General Mission Board 17

2. Brethren Publishing House 18

3. Board of Christian Education 18

4. General Education Board 19

5. General Ministerial Board 19

6. Brethren Service Committee 21

7. Pension Board 22

8. Council of Boards 25

9. Tract Committee 25

10. Gish Publishing Fund 25

11. Conference Program Committee 26

12. Women's Work 26

13. Men's Work 27

14. Pastors' Association 28

15. Historical Commission 28

16. Auditing Committee 28

17. General Investment Council 29

18. Other Officers 29

III. Bethany Biblical Seminary 30

IV. District Conference 30

7

CHAPTER TWO

THE LOCAL CHUECH

1. Membership 33

2. Organizing and Dividing Churches 34

3. Disorganizing Churches 35

4. The Official Board or Church Cabinet 36

5. The Presiding Elder and the Pastor 39

6. Deacons 40

7. Clerk 40

8. Finance Board 40

9. Treasurer 40

10. Trustees 41

11. Board of Christian Education 41

12. Nominating Committee 42

13. Women's Work 42

14. Men's Work 42

15. Adult Director 43

16. The Youth Department 43

17. The Children's Department 43

18. Leadership Training 44

19. The Sunday School or Church School 44

20. Other Committees, Boards, Directors and
Officials 45

21. Council Meetings 45

22. Midweek Service 45

23. Instructing in Church Membership 46

24. When Members Do Wrong 47

25. Reinstating Members 47

26. Rules of Order 48

CHAPTER THREE

FORMS, CEREMONIES, AND STATED
MEETINGS
I. Forms and Ceremonies, Centering in Home

Life 52

1. Marriage 52

8

2. Wedding Anniversaries 65

3. Home Dedication ■ 66

4. Consecration of Little Children 72

II. The Anointing Service 72

III. Electing, Licensing and Installing Church
Officials 80

1. Licensing Ministers, Brethren and Sisters .... 80

2. Ordaining Ministers 84

3. Ordaining Elders 89

4. Installation of Pastors 94

5. Deacons 97

6. Laying Hands on Missionaries 108

7. Installation and Consecration Services for
Other Leaders 108

IV. Ceremonies Connected With Church
Buildings and Their Equipment Ill

1. Laying a Cornerstone Ill

2. Dedicating a Church 112

3. Dedicating a Parsonage 115

4. Dedicating Hymnbooks, etc 119

V. Consolation 119

1. The Memorial Service 119

2. Service at the Grave 124

3. Scriptures for Consolation 127

4. Great Hymns of Comfort 127

5. Poems of Consolation 129

VI. Love Feast or Communion 137

VII. Receiving Members 148

1. By Baptism 148

2. By Rebaptism 150

3. On Former Baptism 150

4. By Letter 150

CHAPTER FOUR

MINISTERIAL MATTERS

I. An Ethical Code for Ministers and

Congregations 152

II. Ministerial Placement and Policy 155

III. Direction and Control of Evangelists 161

CHAPTER FIVE
HELPS FOR PASTORS

I. Worship Helps 163

II. The Christian Year 186

III. Historical Statement 188

10

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION

I. The General Conference

1. Introduction

The Church of the Brethren accepts the Bible as the
final authority in religion. But in church administration
situations constantly arise for which no definite policies
are outlined in the Word of God. Someone must determine
these policies. In our church this responsibility rests with
the members. The highest humah authority in our system
of government is the General Conference. This Conference
meets annually to consider matters affecting the welfare
of the whole church. The voting body consists of two sets
of delegates, those from the districts, which make up
Standing Committee, and those representing local con-
gregations. All have full liberty to participate in the dis-
cussions but only delegates vote.

The sources of business for the Conference are the local
churches, the general boards and Standing Committee. It
is the privilege of any member of the church to present
to a local church council any measure for Conference
consideration which he believes would promote the gen-
eral welfare. If approved by the church it goes to the
district meeting, and if endorsed there, is carried to the
General Conference.

The program of business appears in the Conference
booklet, edited by the Conference secretary, to whom all
queries and reports should be sent in ample time.

Inspirational addresses, group conferences and other
features help to make these Annual Meetings a great
influence in the life of the church.

14 MINISTER'S MANUAL

2. Standing Committee

(A. M. Minutes, 1924, 1931, 1944)

I. Representation

1. State districts, including foreign districts, are entitled
to one delegate if they have less than 3,000 members, to
two delegates if they have from 3,000 to 6,000 members,
and three delegates if they have over 6,000 members.

2. Only elders may serve on Standing Committee.

II. Term of Service

Members of Standing Committee cannot serve more than
twice in five years.

III. Officers

1. The moderator is elected annually by Standing Com-
mittee with the approval of Conference. He assumes of-
fice immediately after the Conference which elects him and
serves through the succeeding Annual Conference; he can
serve once in five years. He is the official representative
of the church. He is a member of the program committee
and is an ex-officio member of the Council of Boards, unless
he is already a regular member. He presides over the
Standing Committee and the Conference.

2. The secretary is elected by Standing Committee, with
the approval of Conference, for a term of three years and
may succeed himself. The term of office begins with his
election. He has no vote in the Standing Committee or the
Conference except when serving as a delegate. He keeps
a record of the proceedings and is custodian of all official
papers of the Conference.

3. Other officers, as messenger and assistant, are chosen
as needed.

IV. Expenses

Each state district, except foreign, bears the expense of
its delegates. The expense of the moderator or secretary,

GENERAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION 15

when he is not serving as a delegate, is paid by the Con-
ference treasurer.

V. Duties

Standing Committee appoints all boards and committees
authorized by Conference. It receives all business for the
Conference, such as queries and reports from the General
Boards, decides upon the order of presentation, and places
answers to all queries not answered by the districts. (The
expression, "Passed and sent to Annual Meeting," is not
an answer to a query.)

Standing Committee is a supervisory body and is inter-
ested in the work of administration in the entire brother-
hood. Irregularities in districts, local congregations or the
lives of officials receive attention, and efforts are made to
correct them through the organization of district elders.

Matters deemed of vital importance, though not coming
through districts or the General Boards, may be presented
by Standing Committee to open Conference.

A delegate from each district gives a brief report of
conditions in his district and reports back to the district
elders significant decisions of Standing Committee, and
to his district meeting the work of the Conference as a
whole.

3. Credentials and Declaration

(A. M. Minutes, 1920, 1933)

The following form of credential is provided for dele-
gates from the local churches:

Credential for Delegates to District and General Conference
of the Church of the Brethren

Name of State District

Name of Congregation

Name of Delegate

Official Position

This is to certify that has been duly

elected to represent the above-named congregation

Conference, to be held at on

i9. . . We recommend for spiritual life and

as being in full accord with the faith and practices of the church,
as defined by General Conference.

Elder

Clerk

16 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Declaration of Principles and Purpose

(1) I again declare my faith in, and grateful acceptance
of, Jesus Christ, "the only begotten Son of God," as my
personal Savior; and the Bible as God's infallible _ Word
of Truth, and- the New Testament as the ultimate rule of
faith and practice for men (John 1: 14; 3: 16 and 36; 12:
47-48; Luke 21:33; Acts 10:43; 2 Tim. 3:16).

(2) It is my sincere endeavor, in submission to God's
Holy Spirit, to make my life, at all times, in purpose and
in act, a true expression of the teaching of Jesus and his
apostles (1 Cor. 10: 31-33; Rom. 12: 1-2).

(3) I pledge my loyalty, by life and influence, to the
Church of the Brethren and to her doctrines and practices
as taught by the Scriptures and defined by her General
Conference (1 Peter 1:13-16; 3:3-4; James 5:12; Luke
3: 14; 1 Cor. 6: 1-8; John 18: 20; 1 Peter 5: 13-15; John 13;
1 Cor. 11: 1-21).

(4) As a delegate to the above-named Conference, I
promise prayerfully to consider, with open mind and a
teachable spirit, all matters presented, and to act, by voice
and vote, in good faith, for the best interest of the church,
that she may continue to be "the pillar and ground of the
truth" (1 Thess. 5: 17; Rom. 14:22-23).

i Delegate

By custom the Standing Committee delegates also pledge
their allegiance to the above Declaration of Principles and
Purposes.

4. Rules of Procedure

The Conference deliberations are governed by the fol-
lowing rules:

(1) All questions with their answers, for discussion
shall be read by the reader, except annual reports
which shall be read by some board representative, afte)

GENERAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION 17

which the moderator shall declare the same the business
of the meeting.

(2) No one shall speak more than twice on the same
question. The first speech shall be limited to fifteen
minutes and the second to five minutes.

(3) The moderator shall decide when a question shall
be put on its passage, but any one from the voting body

; may move the previous question.

(4) A two-thirds majority shall be necessary to pass
answers to all queries; a majority for other motions.

(5) All appeals from the rulings of the moderator shall
1 be decided by the voting body.

j (6) Boards, committees and secretaries should endeavor
„ to make all reports pointed and brief, including only es-
3. sentials.

(7) Robert's Rules of Order shall be the standard for

j any point not covered by these rules.

a (8) These rules may be amended at any regular session.
,ce
4,
he II. Church Boards, Departments and Committees

a te 1. General Mission Board

(A. M. Minutes, 1883, 1888, 1893, 1908, 1915. 1917, 1928)

i This board consists of seven members, two of them
laymen, nominated by Standing Committee for a term of
five years, and approved by Annual Conference. The
board has charge of the mission work, both in foreign
fields and the homeland. It appoints missionaries, subject

, . to Conference approval. In foreign lands it operates
through committees on the field. It reports to Standing
Committee and Conference, whose counsel is often sought.

si« The fields outside of the United States are western India,

jo" northern China, and Nigeria, West Africa. There are also

aft churches in Denmark and Sweden.

18 MINISTER'S MANUAL

In the homeland it co-operates with district mission
boards, providing funds, pastoral leadership, and other
help to the weaker churches. In co-operation with the
other boards it raises the Conference budget. It is also
custodian of funds for endowment and annuities for mis-
sions and other church activities. As a board of directors
it holds in trust and directs the publishing interests.

2. Brethren Publishing House

The private printing project which was begun by Henry-
Kurtz in 1851 in the attic of a springhouse near Poland,
Ohio, has grown through the years to become the church-
owned Brethren Publishing House located at 16-24 South
State Street, Elgin, Illinois. It was in 1897 that the change
in ownership was accomplished. Here are published the
Gospel Messenger (the official organ of the Church of the
Brethren), Brethren Sunday-school papers and quarter-
lies, and the pamphlets and books devoted to the interests
of the church. The home offices of the general boards and
committees are located in the Brethren Publishing House
building.

3. Board of Christian Education

(A. M. Minutes. 1928. 1930)
The Board of Christian Education is composed of seven
members, five of whom are appointed by Annual Con-
ference for a term of five years each, and an ex-officio
membership consisting of the president of the National
Council of Men's Work and the president of the National
Council of Women's Work.

To this board are assigned the tasks formerly carried
by the General Sunday School Board, the General Welfare
Board, and the Music Committee. It employs an executive
secretary, age-group directors, and editors of church school
publications, who form a staff that directs the work as
planned by the board.

GENERAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION 19

The board forms the policies and arranges for the pub-
lication of church school literature and other materials
dealing with its interests. It employs a secretary of peace
who is assisted by a peace commission.

4. General Education Board

(A. M. Minutes, 1927)

The General Education Board as constituted at present
was organized by the Annual Conference of 1927. Its
membership consists of three members appointed by
Annual Conference for a term of three years each and an
ex-officio membership consisting of the heads of the
recognized educational institutions under the control of
the Church of the Brethren. The board meets at least
annually.

The duties of the board include the encouragement of
our educational institutions in training an adequate lay
ministerial and missionary leadership for the church. The
board also aims to develop in the churches a higher edu-
cational consciousness as well as to keep our institutions
in touch with the great educational movements. It is
expected to encourage close co-operation among our in-
stitutions and to foster a general educational policy for
the brotherhood. The board may receive gifts, hold
property and assist individual institutions in endowment
campaigns. It advises the church respecting the problems
of higher education through its annual report to Confer-
ence.

5. General Ministerial Board

(A. M. Minutes, 1936)

The General Ministerial Board is composed of five mem-
bers selected for five years by Annual Conference, and the
president of Bethany Biblical Seminary. The duties of the
board are:

a. To supervise pastoral calls and transfers and outline
plans of procedure for the guidance of congregations and

20 MINISTER'S MANUAL

ministers in regard to pastoral changes, and serve the
church as a nominating agent for pastoral vacancies.

b. To maintain an office and a general secretary at Elgin
through which the general work of the board shall be
done.

c. To make an annual survey of the churches and keep
a careful file of data concerning congregations and min-
isters, and to provide Yearbook material concerning the
ministry and the churches of the brotherhood.

d. To enrich the ministry of the church through con-
ferences and institutes and to maintain proper spiritual
and educational standards for those who would qualify
for the ministry.

e. To visit the districts of the regions in order to pre-
sent the program of the brotherhood and especially to
inspire and encourage the ministerial and other district
boards in their work.

f. To build up within each region strong and effective
church programs and give every possible assistance to all
regional officers and committees in their work.

g. To pass upon applications for ministerial relief in
co-operation with the General Mission Board.

h. To co-operate with the General Education Board,
Bethany Biblical Seminary and our colleges, in giving
every possible assistance to promising young men during
their years of preparation for the ministry of the church.

i. To co-operate with the General Mission Board in the
administration of the home mission program.

j. To co-operate with the Board of Christian Education
in all problems relating to the ministry and the local
church which are common to these boards.

k. To investigate pastoral maladjustments and make
settlement of such problems in the most harmonious
manner possible.

GENERAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION 21

6. Brethren Service Committee

(A. M. Minutes, 1941)

I. Function of the Committee

The Brethren Service Committee finds its charter in the
words of the Master: "I was hungry and ye gave me to
eat; ... I was a stranger and ye took me in; I was naked
and ye clothed me; I was sick and ye visited me; I was in
prison and ye came unto me . . . inasmuch as ye did it unto
one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto
me.

This committee represents the Church of the Brethren in
the area of social action. Its primary function is that of
personal rehabilitation and social reconstruction in the
name and spirit of Christ. Its fields of service are as fol-
lows:

1. To arrest and eliminate, in so far as possible, those
forces in human society which contribute to the disintegra-
tion of personality and character, and to social instability.
The Brethren recognize war, intemperance, political cor-
ruption, and the breakdown of the family as important
among these forces (1 Thess. 5: 14-15).

2. To relieve human distress and suffering around the
world without regard to barriers of race, creed, or nation-
ality. This includes the service of the church among refu-
gees, exiles, prisoners, orphans, widows, the aged and
other conditions of human life in which there is need for
physical and spiritual relief compatible with the ideals,
traditions, and financial resources of the church (Gal. 6: 10).

3. To represent the church in the area of creative citi-
zenship and Christian testimony on issues of national and
international significance.

This includes the program of civilian public service and
the relation of the church and its members to the govern-
ment in regard to peace and war and situations where the
principle of religious freedom is involved (1 Peter 2: 12).

22 MINISTER'S MANUAL

4. To develop, organize, and apply the spiritual and
financial resources of the church to the above areas of
service as a concrete and practical expression of the spirit
and teaching of Christ as the Brethren understand and
interpret them. This shall include the expressional side of
our peace program in an effort of world reconciliation and
the preservation of goodwill and human understanding
among all peoples and races. The work of the committee
shall be carried on so far as possible on a voluntary basis
(Rom. 12:20-21).
II. The Organization of the Committee

1. The committee shall consist of five members at large
nominated by Standing Committee and approved by An-
nual Conference. Each general board shall appoint an
additional ex-officio member. Associate representation
shall be granted other Brethren bodies if at any time they
desire to share in the service of the committee.

2. This committee shall be guided by the general boards
in all matters of general policy. It shall be the general
service agency for the church at large and shall serve as an
arm of the general boards of the church.

3. The committee shall have the authority, with the
approval of the Council of Boards, to secure funds, and
shall be limited in its service only by the funds which it
can secure; it shall have authority also to solicit funds
outside the church.

4. Since this committee represents in the church the
function associated with the office of deacons, it shall be
understood that that office shall be the medium through
which the work of the Service Committee shall be imple-
mented in the local congregation.

7. Pension Board

(A. M. Minutes, 1943, 1945)
The Pension Board was organized by the Annual Con-
ference in 1943 when the church for the first time approved

GENERAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION 23

a pension plan for its ministers and missionaries. The
plan is known as a reserve plan and calls for both pastor
and church to pay four per cent of the pastor's salary into
the plan for retirement at age 65. The board is composed
of the members of the General Mission Board and the
General Ministerial Board. It is incorporated under the
laws of the state of Illinois.

The Ministerial and Missionary Service Fund was placed
under the administration of the Pension Board at the An-
nal Conference in 1945, which changes only the adminis-
tration of the fund from the decision of Annual Conference
of 1904. The fund shall be used for the support of aged
and infirm missionaries and ministers in good standing in
the Church of the Brethren who may be left without other
means of support.

The fund shall be composed of twenty per cent of the
Gish Fund, twenty per cent of the earnings of the Breth-
ren Publishing House, annually set apart for mission work,
cash donations, income from endowments either by direct
bequest, gift or on the annuity plan, and by money re-
ceived from those who enjoy a full support from the fund.

No one shall receive aid from this fund who is able to
support himself, or who has sufficient income to keep him
in a comfortable home and afford him the necessities of
life, or who has sons or daughters who are able and willing
to give the aid sought.

No one shall receive full support from the fund unless
all money or property that he may have be turned over
to the committee to be invested and the interest used for
the aid of the beneficiaries of this fund. If the beneficiary
is in possession of a home he shall deed it to the committee
for endowment, retaining the use of same for himself and
widow, if he leave one, during their lifetime.

In order to receive aid from the fund, application must
be made to the congregation in which the one desiring

24 MINISTER'S MANUAL

aid has his membership. The applicant must have served
the church faithfully as a missionary or minister and must
be in good standing in the church when the application
is made.

It shall be the duty of the congregation carefully to
investigate the needs of the applicant, his means of sup-
port and property owned by him, and if the applicant
comes within, and complies with, the rules governing the
fund, a formal application may be made, signed by the
elder in charge of the church and by at least one minister
or deacon. This shall be made on printed blanks to be
furnished by the secretary of the committee. No appli-
cation for aid will be considered unless made on blanks
supplied for that purpose.

Upon the death of the beneficiary the aid shall cease
unless he leaves a widow, who shall receive such aid from
the fund as the church in which she lives may consider
her entitled to. Widows of missionaries and ministers may
receive aid from the fund under the rules provided for
their husbands.

The committee shall not incur any indebtedness on ac-
count of the fund, and may grant aid only when there
is money on hand to pay the required amount.

In 1927 Conference said: "Let a sufficient fund be pro-
vided by those in charge of all such funds for pensioning
disabled, superannuated ministers and dependent widows
and orphans of ministers.

"All applications from said fund for ministers and their
dependents shall bear the endorsement of the District
Ministerial Board of the district in which such bene-
ficiaries reside and the approval of the General Minis-
terial Board.

"All former rulings in conflict with present decisions are
hereby repealed."

GENERAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION 25

8. Council of Boards

(A. M. Minutes, 1923, 1928)
The Council of Promotion was discontinued in 1928 and
its work was assigned to the Council of Boards, which is
composed of all the members of the general boards and
committees. The council's task is to "assist the co-oper-
ating general boards and committees in shaping, co-
ordinating and promoting the work entrusted to said
boards and committees by Conference in such a way as
to serve the best interests of the church."

9. Tract Committee
In 1927 Annual Conference discontinued the Tract Ex-
amining Committee, placing tract publication and distri-
bution in the hands of the General Mission Board. At pres-
ent this work is managed by a joint committee, two mem-
bers of which are appointed by the General Mission Board
and one each by the General Ministerial Board and the
Board of Christian Education. This committee uses the
income from an endowment fund of something over $20,000
to print and distribute Brethren tracts.

10. Gish Publishing Fund

The Gish Publishing Fund was established in 1899, when
the estate of James and Barbara Gish, valued at approxi-
mately $50,000, was given to the General Mission Board.
Through the income from this fund books and other help-
ful reading matter have been made available to the min-
isters and missionaries of the Church of the Brethren.

Between May 15, 1899, and June 5, 1944, the books of-
fered at reduced prices were selected by a committee of
three known as the Gish Fund Committee, appointed by
the General Mission Board. In order to allow our minis-
ters to make their own selections from the entire field of
available books, the aforementioned plan has been replaced
for an indefinite period by a plan whereby the Brethren

26 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Publishing House sells at a reduced price one copy of any
book to any minister or missionary of the Church of the
Brethren who may order it. The most of the resources
of the Gish Publishing Fund are given to the Publishing
House as a partial subsidy for the losses resulting from the
reduced prices.

11. Conference Program Committee

(A. M. Minutes, 1934, 1936, 1944)

The committee responsible for preparing that part of
the Annual Conference program not included in the busi-
ness sessions is composed of six members. The General
Mission Board, General Ministerial Board, Board of Chris-
tian Education, and General Education Board each select
one member whose term of office is two years. These
nominees are approved by Conference. The other two
members are the moderator and the secretary of Annual
Conference.

12. Women's Work

(A. M. Minutes, 1895, 1917, 1929, 1930)
The history of women's work in the church dates back
to the early days in the life of the church, but few records
were kept. It was not until around 1885 that women's
work took on itself the form of any organization. Women
were interested in missionary reading circles and in giving
to missions; then came the organizing of mission bands
and aid societies. Later mothers and daughters groups
were organized and still later definite attention was given
to Bible study, peace and temperance. Since 1930 these
six interests have been recognized as a vital part in the
women's work program. During this time women's work
has carried on a definite women's work project each year.
Women's work has a very simple pattern of organi-
zation in its national, regional, district and local structure.
The officers, as a rule, are: women's work director, or

GENERAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION 27

president; secretary-treasurer; and directors of each in-
terest — missions, aid, home builders, peace and temper-
ance, and Bible study. In the five regions the officers are
president and secretary-treasurer.

The total women's work program aims to include, con-
serve and develop the interests and talents of every woman
in the local congregation. It encourages the women to
co-operate with the local church cabinet or governing
group. It attempts to create a sense of responsibility to-
ward the home, the church, the community, the nation,
and the world, which expresses itself in active Christian
service. Worship, education, fellowship, and service are
four major parts of the women's program.

13. Men's Work

The Annual Conference of 1926 recognized and encour-
aged the organization of men's work. The governing body
of men's work consists of the council which is composed
of the president, three vice-presidents, the recording sec-
retary-treasurer and twelve members at large.

The council employs an executive secretary who is
responsible for promotion, organization, publicity, and
general correspondence. He is an ex-officio member of
the council and of all committees.

The president, recording secretary-treasurer, and the
executive secretary constitute the executive committee.
They are empowered to act finally in all matters that
involve policies approved by the council.

The executive secretary appoints two members of the
council who are not officers to serve with him as a nomi-
nating committee, to nominate for all elective offices. The
election takes place at the annual meeting. All men
present who are members of local men's organizations are
eligible to vote. The members of the council and the
officers are confirmed by the Annual Meeting.

28 MINISTER'S MANUAL

The purpose of men's work is to organize the men for
more effective participation in the life of the church.
This includes promoting personal evangelism, cultivating
interest in missions, social and recreational activities, and
relating every man to some worthy sacrificial Christian
service.

(See Constitution of Men's Work, and Manual of Men's Work)

14. Pastors' Association

(A. M. Minutes, 1931)
The Annual Conference of 1931 approved the Pastors'
Association. The officers of the association consist of
president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer, each
elected by the association for a term of three years and
approved by Conference.

The association holds an inspirational and business ses-
sion at Annual Conference, at which time special problems
are considered as they relate to the work of the ministry.
When changes in ministerial polity are desired, they are
submitted to the General Ministerial Board.

15. Historical Commission
Annual Conference of 1945 recognized the growing in-
terest in Brethren history by appointing a Historical Com-
mission of five members. The commission has the over-
sight of the Brethren Historical Library at 22 South State
Street, Elgin, 111. It is eager to receive materials dealing
with the history of the Brethren. The commission seeks to
encourage church-wide interest in things historical by
sponsoring programs, associations of Brethren historians,
and the collection and preservation of Brethren materials
in suitable depositories.

16. Auditing Committee

The Auditing Committee consists of two members ap-
pointed by Annual Conference for a term of two years to
audit the accounts of all boards and committees having

GENERAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION 29

financial reports to submit to the Conference. The com-
mittee engages certified public accountants of national
reputation to audit the books of the General Mission Board
and therewith the accounts of the boards and committees
for which the General Mission Board acts as fiscal agent,
the Brethren Publishing House, and Bethany Biblical
Seminary. The committee reviews the statements of the
Annual Conference treasurer and of the General Education
Board. The committee's chief function is the development
of accurate accounting systems for the funds of the boards,
groups, and committees given above.

17. General Investment Council

(A. M. Minutes, 1943. 1944)

By action of Annual Conference of 1943 a Church In-
vestment Committee was established to give counsel to the
General Mission Board, the primary investing board of the
church. The function of the committee is to serve in an
advisory capacity on general investment policies only.
The committee approved by Conference shall comprise
seven members selected as follows: two members nom-
inated annually by the General Mission Board; one mem-
ber nominated annually from each of the following,
namely, the General Ministerial Board, the Brethren Serv-
ice Committee, and the General Education Board; and
two members appointed by Annual Conference to serve
alternately for a period of two years. By action of Annual
Conference of 1944 the name of the committee was changed
to the General Investment Council.

18. Other Officers

The Conference appoints a member of the Advisory
Board of the American Bible Society, a railway transpor-
tation agent, and a Conference treasurer to handle all
expenses authorized by the Conference not otherwise
provided for.

30 MINISTER'S MANUAL

III. BETHANY BIBLICAL SEMINARY

(A. M. Minutes, 1924, 1925)

Bethany Biblical Seminary is owned, supported and
directed by the Church of the Brethren. This institution
was founded as Bethany Bible School in Chicago, 111., Oct.
3, 1905, by Brethren A. C. Wieand and E. B. Hoff. At the
Annual Conference of 1925, held at Winona Lake, Ind., the
Church of the Brethren assumed full ownership of Beth-
any as its officially authorized theological seminary and
Bible training school. In 1931 the name of the graduate
school was changed to Bethany Biblical Seminary. In 1940
Bethany Biblical Seminary was granted full accreditation
as a standard theological seminary by the American As-
sociation of Theological Schools.

The name Bethany in reality means two institutions.
Bethany Biblical Seminary as a graduate professional
school admits only college graduates and offers courses
leading to the Master of Religious Education and Bachelor
of Divinity degrees. Bethany Bible Training School offers
undergraduate theological work for mature church work-
ers who c.annot attend college, and who desire to prepare
for pastoral and church school work. The curriculum of
Bethany is designed to equip ministers, ministers' wives,
church school teachers, missionaries, musicians, fieldwork-
ers, camp leaders, counselors, and college teachers of Bible
for their responsibilities.

IV. DISTRICT CONFERENCE

1. Organization

Local congregations are grouped according to conven-
ience into districts. There are (1945) forty-eight districts in
the United States, one in Canada, one in Sweden, one in
Denmark, two in India, one in China, and one in Africa, a
total of fifty-five.

GENERAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION 31

Each district holds an annual conference usually called
the district meeting. The voting body consists of dele-
gates from the churches, though others attend in large
numbers and take part in the discussions. Each church
is entitled to two delegates, and churches of over two
hundred members may have an extra delegate for each
additional two hundred members or fraction thereof (A.
M. Minutes, 1912). However, Annual Conference in 1924
granted "to districts having a membership of 1,000 or less
the privilege to decide the number of delegates to district
meeting." The same form of credential is used as for
delegates to General Conference.

2. Business

The business docket of the district conference consists
chiefly of queries from the churches and boards, and
reports from district organizations. Vacancies are filled
and any necessary new appointments made. The queries
from the churches may deal with local, district or national
problems. In sending queries to Annual Conference, dis-
tricts should propose answers whenever practicable. The
district conference also chooses its delegate or delegates
for Standing Committee. Inspirational meetings devoted
to the ministry, education, etc., are often held, though*
some hold these meetings at a different time.

3. Elders' Meeting

The elders present at district meeting assemble to
consider problems involving the best interests of the
district. Elders in charge report on conditions in their
several congregations. Among the problems considered is
the advancing of ministers to the eldership. They also
hear grievances whether from a congregation or an indi-
vidual, suggest solutions, and appoint committees to assist
in making adjustments. Any member may come to the
elders' meeting for help.

32 MINISTER'S MANUAL

4. Boards and Committees

State districts have their boards and committees pat-
terned somewhat after those appointed by Annual Con-
ference. In recent years there has been a trend toward
one general administrative board. The Directory of
Churches in the Yearbook lists the names and personnel
of these organizations in each district.

CHAPTER TWO
THE LOCAL CHURCH

The local church is the basic unit in the entire church
organization. Here the gospel best touches human life
and becomes most effective. Local congregations differ
greatly. New problems and changing conditions are al-
ways to be expected. Thus it is more difficult to form
a definite plan of organization for the local church than
for the district and the brotherhood. Through organization
officers are found, responsibility systematically placed,
and goals and programs formed for promoting the king-
dom of God.

1. Membership

The highest authority of the church is its total mem-
bership. The Annual Conference of 1932 classified the
membership thus:

"I. Resident and Nonresident Members.

"1. A resident member is one who holds membership in
the congregation where he lives.

"2. A nonresident member is one who lives outside the
territorial bounds of the congregation in which he holds
his membership.

"II. Active and Inactive Members.

"1. An active member is one who avails himself of the
public means of grace by attending some regular church
service, or a communion service, or contributes to the
support of the gospel and the various enterprises in such
ways as he is able.

"2. Any member who without sufficient reason shall fail
to comply with the requirements for active membership

34 MINISTER'S MANUAL

for two consecutive years, after earnest but ineffectual
effort by the church to arouse the member to the observ-
ance of his vows, may, by action of the church or the
membership committee, be recorded in a separate list as
inactive, until such time as he shall again become active.
A minister who is placed on the inactive membership list
shall not have his name appear on the ministerial list of
the Yearbook until he again becomes active.

"III. Absent Membership.

"Any member whose residence cannot be ascertained for
three consecutive years shall have his name placed on an
absent list and shall not be counted in the statistical list.

"IV. Budget Basis.

"Only active members, both resident and nonresident,
shall be counted in making up the budget for District
and General Conference.

"V. Membership Termination.

"Membership in the Church of the Brethren may be
terminated by death, withdrawal, expulsion, or by letter
of transfer."

2. Organizing and Dividing Churches

The growth of the church as a whole depends much
upon developing new congregations. The Conference of
1920 made decisions in regard to organizing and dividing
churches, summarized as follows:

Division I. — Organization of New Churches

1. A body of members or a mission board may call for
organization when, in the judgment of the district mission
board, local conditions of the place from which the call
comes justify such organization.

2. The call for organization shall be in charge of the
district mission board, and the organization effected by

THE LOCAL CHURCH 35

them or elders whom they may appoint. An elder in
charge and such officials as may be deemed advisable,
shall be elected.

The new organization shall then be reported to the dis-
trict meeting, and after its acceptance, its delegates shall
be seated in the district conference.

Division II. — Dividing Organized Churches

1. If a majority of an organized church decides to divide,
they shall call to their council meeting one or more ad-
joining elders, and at least one of the members of the min-
isterial board, who shall assist in determining lines,
division of church property, etc., and in the election of
elders for each of the new organizations and other officers,
if deemed advisable. The new organizations shall then
be reported to district meeting, and recognition be ob-
tained, after which their delegates shall be seated.

2. If a minority of a church desires to be organized, they
may petition district meeting for a committee of elders.
This committee shall call a council in said church, and,
after hearing the reasons for and against a separate or-
ganization, shall make a report of its findings. If this
report is favorable to the petitioners, and is accepted by
the church, the same procedure as in article one applies
for organization and acceptance by district meeting.

If the report of the committee of elders, favoring the
new organization, is rejected by the church, the com-
mittee may, if deemed advisable by them, organize the
petitioners as outlined above, provided two thirds of the
members residing in said territory are agreed.

3. Disorganizing Churches

When it becomes necessary to disorganize a local church,
the procedure, established by the General Conference of
1898, is as follows:

36 MINISTER'S MANUAL

"Let the request be made to District Meeting for disor-
ganization. District Meeting shall then appoint a com-
mittee of elders to visit said church and grant letters of
membership to all members, assigning them to adjoining
congregations."

The following query was passed by the Conference of
1925:

"We, the Pleasant Hill church, through the District Meet-
ing of Southern Ohio, pray the Annual Conference assem-
bled at Winona Lake, to decide that the elders assembled
at District Elders' Meeting, shall consider carefully the
spiritual welfare of these decaying churches, and if in
their judgment it seems wise, they shall request District
Meeting for a committee of three experienced elders to
labor with said churches. If in the judgment of the com-
mittee it seems wise they shall issue letters of recom-
mendation to the members assigning them to adjoining
congregations, and direct the disposition of the property
to the best advantage, considering all questions involved
relating to it."

The disposition of whatever property the church may
hold is a matter that should be carefully handled. The
laws of states are not uniform. Then, too, land is often
deeded to a church to be used as long as the church needs
it.

4. The Official Board or Church Cabinet

Every local church is, or should be, a unit, with its va-
riety of groups pooling their plans, problems, leadership
resources, and financial needs through some kind of central
official body of the church. In this central group should
be representation from all the age groups and special-
cause groups and important committees of the church.
The local church council in all cases is the democratic
place for discussion of far-reaching and important plans,
the smaller groups and the church cabinet being the per-

THE LOCAL CHURCH 37

sons by whom details are carried forward, or by whom
new ideas are formulated to be accepted or rejected by the
total church.

The educational program of the church as represented
by the Sunday school must move in the direction of closer
unity with the total program.* The competing agencies
need to share plans and needs to make the maximum use
of available leadership and financial resources. Following
this idea of basic unity of policy, four areas of possible
unification appear:

a. The organization and administration of the church
should gradually approach greater unity of structure.

b. The program of leadership education should serve all
leaders in the local church.

c. The financial program of the church should be unified
both as to receiving and expending funds.

d. The pastor should be asked to assume gradually
greater responsibility for thinking through and assist-
ing in the sponsoring of the educational program of
the Sunday school and of the wider educational out-
reach of the community and the home.

Three patterns of organization are suggested below; the
first following the historic pattern of the minister and dea-
con body, the second moving in the direction of an organ-
ization that includes some of the "functional" leadership
of the church, and the third going all the way in bringing
together the heads of program-planning groups. Each
church must find for itself that pattern which will be most
meaningful.

Suggested The official board of ministers and deacons
Plan No. 1. has added to its group either as full members

•Harrier: The Educational Program of the Church, Chapter III,

Bringing Order Out of Chaos, pp. 54-76.
* Cummings: Christian Education in the Local Church, Chapter II,

The Church as a Unit, pp. 20-34.

38

MINISTER'S MANUAL

or as ex-officio members the chairmen of the major boards
and committees and other leading officers and directors.

Ministerial
Committee

THE CHURCH

Official Board or Church Cabinet*

Finance
Committee

Board of
Christian Education

Children's
Department

Youth
Department

Adult
Department

][

Music and
Worship

Women's Work

» Ministers and deacons, as full members, with others added either
as full or ex-officio members.

Suggested The leading officers and chairmen of boards
Plan No. 2. and committees are formed into an official
board or church cabinet. The ministers and
the deacons are represented on this board by one or more
of their number. They are selected either by the ministers
and the deacons or by the church.

THE LOCAL CHURCH

39

Suggested An official board or church cabinet composed
Plan No. 3. of age-group directors, elder, pastor, clerk,
treasurer, and other leading officers, commit-
tee chairmen, and board chairmen.

THE CHURCH

1

X

Official Board or Church Cabinet

1 1

Pastor

J

„

s

/ 1

Ministerial
Committee

Finance
Committee

Trustees

Deacons

Music and
Worship

"

•

s

/

*
t

/

\.--'

\s

/ 1

— 1

Children's
Department

Youth
Department

Adult
Department

1 I
• ■

i ■

Temporary
Committees

I
j

^

-~^^ X

1

U

en's

7ort

1 Women's Work

]

Explanatory notes applicable to plans 1, 2, and 3 above:
The pastor is responsible to the entire church body, and
is responsible for working with all boards in an advisory
way. He works especially through the official board or
church cabinet.

Committees appointed by the church which may make
reports to the cabinet but which do not represent continu-
ously on the cabinet will be the following: nominating
(personnel) committee, building committee, library com-
mittee, leadership education committee, literature sales
person, missionary committee, committee on evangelism,
flower committee, historical committee.

The deacon body will represent the interests of the
Brethren Service Committee in the local church, unless the
church wishes to assign this function elsewhere.

5. The Presiding Elder and the Pastor

For qualifications, election, installation and relationship

40 MINISTER'S MANUAL

to each other, see chapter three, section two; and chapter
four on Ministerial Placement and Policy.

6. Deacons

See chapter III, section 2, for qualifications, duties, term
of office, etc.

7. Clerk

The clerk should be elected, preferably, for a term of
from three to five years. He shall:

(1) Record proceedings of business meetings.

(2) Keep a membership list.

(3) Keep and report individual records of attendance
at church services.

(4) Issue letters of membership authorized by the
church.

(5) Hold important documents, such as church history.

(6) Prepare the statistical report of the church for (1)
the local church, (2) the district, and (3) the brotherhood.

8. Finance Board

The finance board should be elected by the church for a
term of years, a certain number chosen each year. Its
members should have a vision of both local and brother-
hood financial needs, should invite the heads of depart-
ments to join in building the budget for adoption by the
church. The board is responsible for an every-member
enlistment or its equivalent to aid all members to grow in
the grace of giving. The chairman of the trustees and the
chairman of the finance board, each by virtue of his office,
may well be a member of the other board to assure mutual
collaboration.

9. Treasurer

The treasurer should be appointed by the church or
finance board. He should be an ex-officio member of the
finance board, experienced in financial matters, especially
in keeping accounts. As a protection to both the treasurer

THE LOCAL CHURCH 41

and the church another should also count the money. This
person is often known as financial secretary and may keep
the record of the individual payments made through the
weekly envelope system. Bills for payment should be in
line with the budget adopted by the church. They should
be approved by the authorized department head contract-
ing the obligation as agreed by understanding with the
finance board. The quarterly treasurer's report, prepared
so that it may be understood by the members, should be
audited by one or more auditors elected by the church and
should be presented at the church business meeting and
at least annually printed for distribution to all members
including nonresident members.

10. Trustees

There should be at least three trustees. All laws con-
cerning holding, repairing, buying and disposing of prop-
erty should be observed. Some states have definite re-
quirements concerning the qualifications for trustees. It
is the duty of trustees to keep the church property in
repair, staying within budget limits. The trustees are
the custodians of all legal papers. Of course the trustee
board and the finance committee will work together.

11. The Board of Christian Education

The board of Christian education comprises three to five
members selected by the church in the annual business
session. The minister and the Sunday-school superintend-
ent serve as ex -officio members. The responsibilities of the
board of Christian education include:

(1) Selection and placement of teaching personnel.

(2) Providing helpful reading materials for teachers.

(3) Providing opportunities for the educational staff of
the church to attend leadership conferences and training
schools.

42 MINISTER'S MANUAL

12. Nominating Committee

A growing number of churches have a nominating com-
mittee whose responsibility is to study the year-round per-
sonnel needs of the church, listing the many jobs for which
the church needs leadership, listing the people who have
talent and trying to see that each member has something
to do that is in keeping with his responsibility and train-
ing. Such a committee should discover new talent and
study the qualifications of its nominees. In building a slate
of officers it is well to name at least two nominees for each
position.

13. Women's Work

The plan of the local women's work organization calls
for a cabinet of women's work with director or president
(may have vice-president), secretary-treasurer, director
of missions, director of aid service, director of home build-
ers, director of peace and temperance, and director of Bible
study. The women's work cabinet will meet frequently as
a committee to plan for all the interests included in wom-
en's work.

Women's work in the local church will find its greatest
expression of service when it co-operates fully with the
local church organization. Women's work should be repre-
sented on the church cabinet or administrative board by
the local women's work director or president.

Women's work of the local church co-operates with dis-
trict, regional and national women's work organizations. •

14. Men's Work

The men's work may organize either through a men's
Bible class or through a separate organization including
all adult males. They should co-operate with the district
and brotherhood organizations. They will promote father
and son relations, missions, church plant improvement in
co-operation with the trustees and finance boards, com-

THE LOCAL CHURCH 43

munity service projects, and such other matters as may
be agreed upon.

15. Adult Director
The adult director will seek to correlate the work of the
agencies including adult church school classes, men's work,
women's work, young adult groups, and other groups plan-
ning for work. He will encourage an aggressive adult
program attempting to meet the unmet needs.

16. The Youth Department

The youth department includes two distinct age groups —
the intermediates or junior high group, ages 12 to 14, and
young people, ages 15 to 24, often known as the B.Y.P.D.
The programs of both groups center around the Sunday-
school classes, Sunday or weekday meetings for study and
discussion, social activities, and service projects. The
youth director or adult adviser supervises all of these ac-
tivities.

The intermediate superintendent — or where there is
none, the Sunday-school teacher — bears the major respon-
sibility for planning the program for intermediates. A
cabinet elected by the young people and usually compris-
ing a president, a vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer,
and the chairmen of the program, service, social and wor-
ship committees, plans the activities of the B.Y.P.D. along
with the adult adviser and teachers of young people's
classes.

17. The Children's Department

The children's department includes all children from
birth through eleven years of age and should be organized
into classes and departments in harmony with the need as
indicated by the number of children, available leadership,
and space available. In each church there should be a
council or cabinet made up of all children's workers, a rep-
resentative of the parents of the church, and a director of

44 MINISTER'S MANUAL

children's work or an annually elected chairman, with the
pastor and the Sunday-school superintendent ex-officio.

This cabinet or council should meet monthly or as fre-
quently as deemed necessary to plan for the total needs of
the children of the church and Sunday school.

If there is a director of children's work, she should be
appointed annually by the board of Christian education or
other official church body and should be an ex-officio mem-
ber of this same body.

18. Leadership Training

The church should provide training for all present and
prospective workers. The following are some of the
methods that may be used:

(1) Workers' conferences. It is recommended that there
shall be a workers' conference which meets monthly, or at
least quarterly, and which is composed of the pastor or
Sunday-school superintendent, all general officers of the
church and Sunday school, and all teachers and committee
members. It should be planned for by an officially desig-
nated committee, of which the chairman is the pastor or
the Sunday-school superintendent.

(2) Placing in the hands of trustees, treasurer, janitor,
etc., a pamphlet or book dealing with the work of his or
her particular office.

(3) Discussion groups in which the functions of various
officers are considered.

(4) Personal interviews by the pastor or some other com-
petent person, concerning the work involved.

(5) The local church or community training school.

(6) A workers' library.

(7) The Elgin Loan Library.

19. The Sunday School or Church School

The Sunday school is the educational arm of the church.
The superintendent is in charge of this program and works

THE LOCAL CHURCH 45

in co-operation with the minister. The major responsibil-
ities of the superintendent are:

(1) Plan for worship services as needs dictate.

(2) Act as executive head of the entire school. The
directors or age-group superintendents form the executive
council.

(3) Provide along with the board of Christian education
and other school leaders for the proper functioning of the
church school program.

(4) Serve as a member of the board of Christian educa-
tion by virtue of his office.

20. Other Committees, Boards, Directors and Officials

These may be provided by the church as needed. Among
those often found necessary other than the ones mentioned
elsewhere are: missionary, ministerial, evangelism, flower,
library, music and worship, historical, literature sales,
building, etc. For duties of the ministerial board, see Min-
isterial Placement and Policy, chapter IV, 2.

21. Council Meetings

The prosperity of the local church depends much on the
proper handling of its business affairs. Meetings for this
purpose should be held at stated times. It should be
clearly understood who is responsible for preparing the
business for these meetings. The elder and the clerk are
in the last analysis responsible for this important task.
Certain matters should be considered by the administra-
tive leaders before they are brought to open council. Nat-
urally the presiding officer is the elder.

22. Midweek Service

The midweek service can serve in a variety of ways.
Some churches enjoy a worth-while weekly prayer meet-
ing experience. In a number of churches there is a group
of persons who find spiritual uplift in an informal prayer
service. This opportunity should be made available.

46 MINISTER'S MANUAL

The midweek service can be used as a church night pro-
viding opportunity for choir practice, committee meetings
and social affairs. Program suggestions for these programs
may be secured from the general boards.

23. Instructing in Church Membership

Elders and pastors should take great care in instructing
for church membership. Preparatory classes should be
held for applicants. Material for these classes may be se-
cured from the Board of Christian Education, Elgin, 111.
Our historic ideals should be emphasized. The applicant
should make a definite commitment on these great prin-
ciples in the presence of the officials of the church.

Unofficial Summary of the Church's Doctrinal Position

1. This body of Christians originated early in the eighteenth cen-
tury, the church being a natural outgrowth of the Pietistic move-
ment following the Reformation.

2. Firmly accepts and teaches the fundamental evangelical doc-
trines of the inspiration of the Bible, the personality of the Holy
Spirit, the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the sin-pardoning value
of his atonement, his resurrection from the tomb, ascension and
personal and visible return, and the resurrection, both of the just
and unjust (John 5:28, 29; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).

3. Observes the following New Testament rites: Baptism of
penitent believers by trine immersion for the remission of sins
(Matt. 28: 19; Acts 2: 38); feet-washing (John 13: 1-20; 1 Tim. 5: 10);
love feast (Luke 22: 20; John 13: 4; 1 Cor. 11: 17-34; Jude 12); com-
munion (Matt. 26:26-30); the Christian salutation (Rom. 16:16;
Acts 20:37); proper appearance in worship (1 Cor. 11:2-16); the
anointing for healing in the name of the Lord (James 5: 13-18; Mark
6:13); laying on of hands (Acts 8:17; 19:6; 1 Tim. 4:14). These
rites are representative of spiritual facts which obtain in the lives
of true believers, and as such are essential factors in the develop-
ment of the Christian life.

4. Emphasizes daily devotion for the individual, and family wor-
ship for the home (Eph. 6:18-20; Phil. 4:8, 9); stewardship of
time, talents and money (Matt. 25: 14-30); taking care of the father-
less, widows, poor, sick and aged (Acts 6: 1-7).

5. Opposes on Scriptural grounds: War and the taking of human
life (Matt. 5:21-26, 43, 44; Rom. 12:19-21; Isa. 53:7-12); violence in
personal and industrial controversy (Matt. 7:12: Rom. 13:8-10):
intemperance in all things (Titus 2:2; Gal. 5:19-26; Eph. 5:18);
going to law, especially against our Christian brethren (1 Cor. 6:
1-9) ; divorce and remarriage except for the one Scriptural reason
(Matt. 19:9); every form of oath (Matt. 5:33-37; James 5:12):
membership in secret, oath-bound societies (2 Cor. 6: 14-18); games
of chance and sinful amusements (1 Thess. 5: 22; 1 Peter 2: 11; Rom.
12:17); extravagant and immodest dress (1 Tim. 2:8-10; 1 Peter
3: 1-6).

THE LOCAL CHURCH 47

6. Labors earnestly, in harmony with the Great Commission, for
the evangelization of the world, for the conversion of men to Jesus
Christ, and for the realization of the life of Jesus Christ in every
believer (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16; 2 Cor. 3:18).

7. Maintains the New Testament as its only creed, in harmony
with which the above brief doctrinal statement is made.

(See also chapter three, section six, on receiving members
into the church.)

24. When Members Do Wrong

(A. M. Minutes, 1937)

The purpose of church discipline is to save the wrong-
doer (2 Thess. 3: 11-15; 1 Thess. 5: 14; 2 Cor. 2: 5-11) and
to maintain the moral standards of the church (1 Cor. 5).

Though all Christians come short of perfection, "per-
sons who disgrace themselves and the church by doing the
immoral or unchristian act should be disciplined."

The responsibility for guiding church life and disci-
plining erring members rests primarily on the elders and
pastors (2 Tim. 4: 1-5). Let elders and pastors proceed
according to Matt. 18 in the spirit of prayer, seeking the
wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit. "In case of grave
offenses or where the pastor or elder fails to convert the
erring member, they should counsel the official body and
the church." All the resources of the church should be
brought to bear in order that the erring may be reclaimed
and the purity of the church be maintained.

25. Reinstating Members

When a person who has been disfellowshipped desires
to reunite with the church, the minister will investigate
the cause of his loss of fellowship, if he does not already
know. The church that withdrew fellowship should give
its permission for the party to be reinstated. The con-
fession and desire for renewal of membership should be
given to the minister in charge of the church, and, if he
feels it advisable, to the official board. It is generally not
necessary to go into the details of the matter in a public
meeting.

48 MINISTER'S MANUAL

The minister may express before the congregation the
desire of the individual to renew his Christian vows, giv-
ing such details as the case may merit. After this he may
ask: "Is there any reason why this person should not be
restored to full fellowship?" This should be followed by
a prayer of thanksgiving, consecration, and guidance.
After the prayer, either before or after dismissal of the
congregation, opportunity may be given for a friendly,
personal greeting and welcome by the individual members
of the church.

26. Rules of Order

The method of transacting business in. deliberative
bodies is sufficiently indicated for ordinary purposes in
the following summary of the most important points in-
volved. Robert's Rules of Order may be consulted for
more complete information.

(1) The presiding officer in a deliberative assembly is
known as chairman, president, and so forth. In religious
assemblies he is often called the moderator.

(2) The moderator is generally assisted by a clerk or
secretary, who arranges the items of business and records
the proceedings, called minutes. When much reading is
required there is a special officer called the reader, or
reading clerk.

(3) Questions are ordinarily decided, on motions made
and seconded, by a majority vote.

(4) Informal and unimportant matters are often dis-
posed of by common consent, indicated by silence. Some-
times the presiding officer may ascertain the will of the
meeting on any point by submitting it to vote without
the formality of a motion. But the usual method should
be followed in all matters of importance or whenever
someone objects to any departure from it.

(5) In matters of exceptional importance, especially
where a change from a former policy is involved, a two-

THE LOCAL CHURCH 49

thirds majority may be required for the adoption of a
motion.

(6) Any person desiring to make a motion or to speak
on any question before the meeting shall rise, address the
moderator and secure his recognition. Motions may be
seconded without this formality.

(7) When the moderator has stated a motion, duly made
and seconded, or caused it to be read, it is in the possession
of the meeting, and cannot be withdrawn or removed from
consideration except by action or consent of the meeting.

(8) With certain exceptions motions are always sub-
ject to debate before being put to vote. Two important
exceptions are a motion to adjourn and a motion for the
previous question.

(9) The moderator decides when debate on any motion
shall close, but any member may move the previous
question.

(10) When a motion for the previous question has been
carried, discussion on the question ceases and it is put
to vote.

(11) A question of order may be raised by any member
and is decided, without discussion, by the moderator as
follows: "The point is well taken," or "The point is not
well taken."

(12) If the ruling of the moderator is not satisfactory,
it is the privilege of any member to appeal the decision.
If the appeal is seconded, the moderator states the ques-
tion: "Shall the decision of the chair stand as the judg-
ment of the meeting?" After having been open for debate,
it is decided as any other question.

(13) When it is desired to dismiss a matter without
passing on the merits of the question, a motion may be
made that it be indefinitely postponed, or that it lie on
the table, or that it be respectfully returned. The effect
of all three actions is the same, except that when a ques-

50 MINISTER'S MANUAL

tion is "tabled" it may, on motion, be taken up again
later. When a question is "returned," it is regarded as
not having been considered and does not appear in the
minutes.

(14) A motion to adjourn is always in order, except
when a member is speaking, when voting is in progress,
or when no business has been transacted since a motion
to adjourn has been voted down.

(15) Any action may be reconsidered, provided the
motion for reconsideration be made by a member who
voted with the prevailing side. The passing of such a
motion does not reverse the former action, but places the
subject before the meeting as if it had not been acted
upon at all.

(16) When it is desired to change the form or purport
of a motion already before the meeting, this may be done
through a motion to amend. The adoption of such a
motion, proposing the desired changes, does not dispose
of the matter, but merely places the original motion before
the meeting in its amended form.

(17) When a motion is before the meeting, a motion of
entirely different purport, but pertaining to the same
matter, may be offered as a substitute. The passing of
a substitute motion disposes of the question. The failure
of such a motion leaves the original motion before the
meeting.

(18) Any subject may be referred to a committee when
more careful consideration is required than can be given
in the meeting. The entire disposition of the matter may
be entrusted to the committee, or, as usually, the com-
mittee may be instructed to study the subject and report
its findings to a later meeting.

(19) The more common methods of taking a vote are
by a vocal response, by raising the hand, or by standing.

THE LOCAL CHURCH 51

(20) In cases of special importance or delicacy the vot-
ing is done by ballot.

(21) The ballot method is commonly used in the election
of all important officers, the members simply writing on
the ballots the names of the persons for whom they wish
to vote.

(22) Elections may be facilitated by nominations made
in the open meeting or by a committee previously ap-
pointed for this purpose. It is not advisable, however,
to make nominations for the most important officers, such
as presiding elder, or in any case where it is not satis-
factory to all concerned. When there is a long list of
offices to be filled, for which nominations have been
made, progress may be facilitated by numbering the names
and posting them where they can be seen by all, so that
they may be voted for by writing the numbers only.
Sometimes ballots are used on which the nominations have
been printed, with blank spaces for writing in other
names.

(23) It is sometimes found desirable in deliberative
bodies to limit the length of speeches, as well as the
number a member may make on the same subject.

(24) Members should stand while addressing the mod-
erator or the assembly, as, of course, the moderator should
in addressing the assembly or any member. In very small
assemblies, as committees, this rule is not commonly ob-
served.

CHAPTER THREE

FORMS, CEREMONIES, AND STATED
MEETINGS

I. Forms and Ceremonies Centering in Home Life

1. Marriage

The Church of the Brethren regards marriage as an in-
stitution of divine origin and has always upheld and
sought to preserve the sanctity of the home and the mar-
riage relationship. It is a bond of true love resting upon
the innate needs of man and woman and therefore of
human society. It cannot be set aside by any human
authority. The church regards moral unfaithfulness as
the only justifiable basis for severing the marriage rela-
tion. The church holds that marriage should issue in
affectionate home and family life and in the rich and ten-
der relationships of parenthood (Gen. 2: 18; Matt. 19: 4-6;
Eph. 5: 22-31. A. M. Minutes, 1933, pp. 10, 11).

A. A Marriage Service

The persons to be married standing together, the woman
at the left hand of the man, the minister shall say:

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the pres-
ence of God to join this man [or name] and this wom-
an [or name] in marriage, which is a sacred and hon-
orable relationship, ordained of God, designed for the
well-being and happiness of mankind, sanctified and
blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, who declared that
a man should leave his father and mother and cleave
unto his wife. Wherefore it should be entered upon

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 53

reverently, discreetly and in the fear of the Lord. In-
to this sacred and happy relationship these two per-
sons come now to be joined.

Let us pray. Our heavenly Father, thou who art
the source of our deepest joys, be pleased to bless us
with thy presence on this occasion. We pray thee to
hallow the affection which has drawn this man [or
name] and this woman [or name] to each other.
Strengthen and ennoble it through the sharing of re-
sponsibility. Steady and deepen it through toil and
self-discipline. Purify and enrich it in the crucible
of our inevitable pain. Lift it to the heights of which
love is capable through its devotion to the achieve-
ment of thy will in this, thy world. - Through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the minister shall say to the man and the woman:

In token that you have well considered the cove-
nant you now make, and that your hearts are united
in sincere affection, you will join right hands.

The minister shall then say to the man:

M , do you take N to be

your wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor
and cherish her; to cultivate for her sake all manly
virtues; to be considerate of her happiness and in all
things to seek her welfare as you seek your own, so
that by God's grace you may together build a happy
home? Do you pledge yourself thus honorably to
her, to be her husband in good faith as long as you
both shall live?

The man shall answer: I do.

54 MINISTER'S MANUAL

The minister shall then say to the woman:

N , do you take M to be

your wedded husband? Do you promise to love, hon-
or and cherish him; to cultivate for his sake all wom-
anly graces; in all things to esteem his happiness as
your own, so that by God's grace you may together
build a happy home? Do you give yourself thus loy-
ally to him, to be his wife in good faith as long as you
both shall live?

The woman shall answer: I do.

Let us pray. Eternal God, our heavenly Father, we
invoke thy blessing upon these who this day have
pledged their love one to the other. "Bless Thou
these hands united, bless Thou these hearts made
one; unsevered and unblighted may they through life
go on."

May their love be strong and pure and holy. May
it burn with ever-increasing intensity until it fuse
their lives into perfect oneness.

Make them wise to weigh the values of life and
may no glamour of cheaper pleasures rob them of the
wholesome delight and inward satisfaction which
loyalty to the best alone can give. Help them to mas-
ter the high and holy art of unselfishness, and may
each vie with the other in kindly consideration and
understanding love.

Grant them, our heavenly Father, to grow in rever-
ence for each other and for thee. Send upon their
home tranquility and peace. Guide their steps
through all joy, danger and adversity and may they

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 55

live together in holy love and to thy glory until life's
end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The minister shall then say:

Forasmuch as M and N

have solemnly pledged themselves to live together in
holy wedlock, and have declared the same before
God and these witnesses, by the authority committed
unto me as a minister of the church of Christ, I now
pronounce them husband and wife, according to the
ordinance of God and the law of the state; in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen.

Then causing the husband and wife to join their right
hands, the minister shall say:

Whom therefore God hath joined together, let no
man put asunder.

And the minister shall pronounce this benediction:
The Lord bless, preserve and keep you: the Lord
mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you
with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you
may so live together in this life that in the world to
come you may have life everlasting. Amen.

B. The Episcopal Marriage Service*

At the day and time appointed for Solemnization of
Matrimony, the persons to be married shall come into the
body of the church, or shall be ready in some proper
house, with their friends and neighbors; and there stand-
ing together, the Man on the right hand, and the Woman
on the left the minister shall say:

*This ceremony is found in the Book of Common Prayer, and is
reprinted by the permission of the Custodian of the Prayer Book.

56 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Dearly beloved: We are gathered together here in
the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to
join together this Man and this Woman in holy matri-
mony; which is commended of St. Paul to be honor-
able among all men: and therefore is not by any to be
entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently,
discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God. Into
this holy estate, these two persons present come now
to be joined. If any man can show just cause why
they may not lawfully be joined together, let him
now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.

And, also, speaking unto the persons who are to be
married, he shall say:

I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at
the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all
hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know
any impediment why ye may not be lawfully joined
together in matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be
ye well assured, that if any persons are joined to-
gether otherwise than as God's word doth allow,
their marriage is not lawful.

If no impediment shall be alleged, the minister shall
say to the man:

M., Wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife,
to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy es-
tate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her,
honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and,
forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long
as ye both shall live?

The man shall answer: I will.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 57

Then shall the minister say to the woman:

N., Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded husband,
to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy es-
tate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him and serve
him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in
health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto
him, so long as ye both shall live?

The woman shall answer: I will.

Then shall the minister say:

Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

Then shall they give their troth to each other in this
manner: The minister, receiving the woman at her fa-
ther's or friend's hands, shall cause the man with his
right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and to
say after him as follows:

I, M., take thee, N., to my wedded wife, to have and
to hold from this day forward, for better for worse,
for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love
and to cherish, till death us do part, according to
God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my
troth.

Then shall they loose their hands; and the woman, with
her right hand taking the man by his right hand, shall
likewise say after the minister:

I, N., take thee, M., to my wedded husband, to have
and to hold from this day forward, for better for
worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health,
to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, ac-
cording to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give
thee my troth.

Then shall they again loose their hands; and the man

58 MINISTER'S MANUAL

shall give unto the woman a ring. And the minister tak-
ing the ring shall deliver it unto the man, to put it upon
the fourth finger of the woman's left hand. And the man,
holding the ring there, and taught by the minister, shall
say:

With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly
goods I thee endow: in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then, the man leaving the ring upon the fourth finger
of the woman's left hand, the minister shall say:

Let us pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hal-
lowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be
done on earth, as it is in heaven; Give us this day our
daily bread: And forgive us our trespasses, as we for-
give those who trespass against us; And lead us not
into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

O eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all man-
kind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of ever-
lasting life; send Thy blessing upon these Thy serv-
ants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in
Thy name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully
together, so these persons may surely perform and
keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made
(whereof this ring given and received is a token and
pledge), and may ever remain in perfect love and
peace together, and live according to Thy laws;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the minister join their right hands together,
and say,

Those whom God hath joined together, let no man
put asunder.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 59

Then shall the minister speak unto the company:
Forasmuch as M. and N. have consented together in
holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before
God and this company, and thereto have given and
pledged their troth, each to the other, and have de-
clared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and
by joining hands; I pronounce that they are Man and
Wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

And the minister shall add his blessing, the candidates
kneeling, and the minister putting his hands upon their
heads:

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost,
bless, preserve, and keep you: The Lord mercifully
with His favor look upon you, and fill you with ^11
spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live
together in this life, that in the world to come ye may
have life everlasting. Amen.

C. The Presbyterian Service*

Dearly beloved, we are assembled here in the pres-
ence of God, to join this Man and this Woman in holy
Marriage; which is instituted of God, regulated by His
commandments, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ,
and to be held in honor among all men. Let us there-
fore reverently remember that God has established
and sanctified Marriage, for the welfare and happi-
ness of mankind. Our Saviour has declared that a
man shall forsake his father and mother and cleave

1 This ceremony is from the Book of Common Worship, revised, and
is used by the courtesy of the Presbyterian Church in the United
States of America.

60 MINISTER'S MANUAL

unto his wife. By His apostles, He has instructed
those who enter into this relation to cherish a mutual
esteem and love; to bear with each other's infirmities
and weaknesses; to comfort each other in sickness,
trouble, and sorrow; in honesty and industry to pro-
vide for each other and for their household in tem-
poral things; to pray for and encourage each other in
the things which pertain to God; and to live together
as heirs of the grace of life.

Then, speaking unto the persons who are to be married,
the Minister shall say:

Forasmuch as you have come hither to be made one
in this blessed estate, I charge you both, that if either
of you know any reason why you may not rightly be
joined together in Marriage, you do now acknowl-
edge it. For be well assured that if any persons are
joined together otherwise than as God's Word allows,
this union is not blessed by Him.

Let us Pray.

Almighty and ever blessed God, whose presence is
the happiness of every condition, and whose favor
sweetens every relation; we beseech Thee to be pres-
ent and favorable unto these Thy servants, that they
may be truly joined in the honorable estate of Mar-
riage. As Thou hast brought them together by Thy
providence, sanctify them by Thy Spirit, giving them
a new frame of heart for their new estate; and grant
unto them, now in the hour of their affiance and
throughout their wedded life, Thy heavenly guid-
ance; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen,

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 61

Then the Minister shall say to the Man:

, wilt thou have this Woman

to be thy wife, and wilt thou pledge thy troth to her,
in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in all
faith and tenderness, to live with her and cherish her,
according to the ordinance of God, in the holy bond
of Marriage?

The Man shall answer: I will.

Then the Minister shall say to the Woman:

, wilt thou have this Man to

be thy husband, and wilt thou pledge thy troth to
him, in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in
all faith and tenderness, to live with him and cherish
him, according to the ordinance of God, in the holy
bond of Marriage?

The Woman shall answer: I will.

Then the Minister may say:

Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?

Then the father (or guardian or any friend) of the Wo-
man shall put her right hand into the hand of the Minister,
who shall cause the Man with his right hand to take the
Woman by her right hand and to say after him as follows:

I, , take thee ;

To be my wedded wife; And I do promise and cove-
nant; Before God and these witnesses; To be thy lov-
ing and faithful husband; In plenty and in want; In
joy and in sorrow; In sickness and in health; As long
as we both shall live.

Then shall they loose their hands; and the Woman with
her right hand taking the Man by his right hand, shall
likewise say after the Minister:

62 MINISTER'S MANUAL

I, , take thee ;

To be my wedded husband; And I do promise and
covenant; Before God and these witnesses; To be thy
loving and faithful wife; In plenty and in want; In
joy and in sorrow; In sickness and in health; As long
as we both shall live.

Then if a ring be provided, it shall be given by the Man
to the Woman, and by the Woman to the Minister, who
shall then return it to the Man, who shall put it upon the
fourth finger of the Woman's left hand, saying after the
minister:

This ring I give thee, -In token and pledge, Of our
constant faith, And abiding love.

Then the Minister shall say:
Let us pray.

Most merciful and gracious God, of whom the
whole family in heaven and earth is named; bestow
upon these Thy servants the seal of Thine approval,
and Thy fatherly benediction; granting unto them
grace to fulfil, with pure and steadfast affection, the
vow and covenant between them made. Guide them
together, we beseech Thee, in the happy way of right-
eousness and peace, that loving and serving Thee,
with one heart and mind, all the days of their life,
they may be abundantly enriched with the tokens of
Thine everlasting grace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 63

bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but de-
liver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the
power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say unto all who are present:

By the authority committed unto me as a Minister

of the Church of Christ, I declare

and are now Husband and

Wife, according to the ordinance of God, and the law
of this State: in the Name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then causing the Husband and Wife to join their right
hands, the Minister shall say:

Whom God hath joined together, let no man put
asunder.

And the Minister shall pronounce this blessing:

The Lord bless you, and keep you:

The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be
gracious unto you:

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and
give you peace:

Both now and in the life everlasting.
• Amen.

Notes on the Marriage Service
The minister should familiarize himself with the details
and the usual procedure of the marriage service. He
should be in a position to advise in matters pertaining
to the service. The marriage ceremony should be beau-
tiful and impressive, carefully planned and rehearsed, so
that those participating may be familiar with the order
of service. The following may be of value:

64 MINISTER'S MANUAL

1. Marriage laws differ in the several states. In some
an official certificate from the probate judge conferring
legal authority to marry is necessary. Before consenting
to perform a marriage ceremony in any state the minister
should inform himself definitely in every case; otherwise
serious embarrassment may result.

2. Ushers are responsible for seating guests, lighting
candles, and other details of this character.

3. The best man serves the groom. He looks after the
license, fee, trunk, cars, etc. The minister may consult
him concerning any detail of which he is uncertain.

4. The procession is in the following order:
The minister

The groom and best man

The ushers (men)

The bride's maids (single)

The maid of honor

The flower girls

The bride alone or with her father or another

5. In the recessional the bride takes the right arm of her
husband and they leave the altar followed by the maid of
honor alone, the flower girls side by side, the bride's
maids and last the ushers. The only man and woman
advancing side by side should be the wedded pair. The
best man and the minister return to the side room from
which they came after which the best man hastens to
meet the wedding party in the vestibule.

6. The minister usually takes his place for the ceremony
from the most convenient entrance when the processional
music begins if he does not enter with the bridal party.

7. The bride stands always at the left of the groom and
takes his left arm when given away by her father. If not
given away, she takes the arm of the groom when she
first comes to the altar.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 65

2. Wedding Anniversaries

In a day when so many homes are broken, it is significant
that so many do withstand the strain and stress of life.
These old homes are life's bulwarks against the enemies
of the truest and best.

Homes, where love never grows old, where husbands
grow into Christlikeness, and where wives remain kind
and considerate to the end, deserve to be honored by the
chusch. Husband and wife will honor each anniversary
if their marriage has been a happy one. By the twenty-
fifth anniversary, at least, neighbors and friends will be
helped by a carefully planned home event. When the
years reach the half-century mark, and the couple merit it,
the church may well honor the occasion.

We do not recommend a regular wedding ceremony, but
suggest six parts for a brief and impressive occasion.

(1) The introduction to the service should be well-chosen
words by the minister. The poem by Edgar A. Guest en-
titled Home would be appropriate where the service is held
in the home of the couple.

(2) Following the introductory, heartfelt words of the
minister, a beautiful testimony from the husband, followed
by one from the wife, would be an effective sermon to all.
Many cannot express themselves effectively, or lack the
courage to speak in public. In such case the minister may
form a helpful statement after a heart-to-heart talk with
the couple concerning the wonderful experience of their
married life.

(3) After this the minister may say:

(a) This occasion tells us, Mr. (Brother)
, that you have greatly appre-
ciated through the years the love, comradeship,
faithfulness, and loyalty of this pure, true, and
generous-hearted woman. Do you realize that such

66 MINISTER'S MANUAL

a companionship is a gift of God, and will you never
cease to thank him as the source of every good and
perfect gift?

(b) This occasion likewise proves that you, Mrs.

(Sister) , are grateful for the

loyalty, devotion, and support of a pure, strong,
sympathetic and manly husband. Do you realize
that true manhood finds its example and enohling
power in the Man Christ Jesus, and will you ever
thank your heavenly Father for this gift of Chris-
tian manhood?

(4) Then the minister may place his hand on the
clasped hands of the couple and offer a well-worded,
thought-out, heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving and petition.

(5) After the prayer the minister may offer a word
of commendation, and best wishes for the years ahead,
realizing that the days may be few.

(6) Special singers may then sing such songs as Silver
Threads Among the Gold, I Love You Truly, or some
old song that has blessed the family through the years,
as Rock of Ages.

3. Home Dedication

(1) A period of friendly fellowship, may be followed by
a few songs.

(2) Greeting by the host (his own or the following) :
It is a great privilege to welcome you to our new

home. We have long planned for this hour, and now
we are happy to have you here. God has been good.
It is he who has made this home possible; and we
want it dedicated to the Lord and his work. We want
this to be a Christian home; a place where the ideals

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 67

of Christ rule, and from which his spirit of love and
goodwill can go forth to bless and brighten the lives
of our neighbors and friends. What we enjoy we
want to share with you; so come to see us often.

Because this is a happy fulfillment of our dreams,
and because we realize that this house cannot be a
real home without the blessings of the heavenly Fa-
ther and the ministry of the church, we have asked
our pastor to help dedicate it to the Lord. The pastor
will now take charge.

(3) Invocation by pastor.

(4) Response by pastor.

It is a joy to know that our brother and sister so
gratefully acknowledge the blessings of the heav-
enly Father. The church appreciates her Christian
homes, without which she would cease to exist.
Good homes and the church are mutually dependent
on each other. Nothing can take the place of a
happy home. Bethany was the home of Mary and
Martha and Lazarus. Bethany means a place where
Jesus loves to be. He always loves to be in a godly
home. How blessed the place where he is "the
unseen guest at every meal and the silent listener
to every conversation."

True family affection is the strongest and most
beautiful tie. A Russian novelist said he would
give up all his reputation, all his books, and all his
genius, if there were only a woman who cared
whether he came home at night. Recall the beau-
tiful story of Ruth and Naomi. "And she said,

68 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her
people, and unto her gods; return thou after thy
sister-in-law. And Ruth said, Entreat me not to
leave thee, and to return from following after thee;
for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou
lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people,
and thy God my God: where thou diest, will I die,
and there will I be buried: Jehovah do so to me,
and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.
And when she saw that she was steadfastly minded
to go with her, she left off speaking unto her" (Ruth
1: 15-18).

Here, depending on the length of the service desired,
several things may be done, (a) A male quartet or the
group might sing Home, Sweet Home, (b) The pastor
might read the poem, Home, on page 70. (c) Hymn for a
Household (page 69) might be read by the mother or some
other member of the family.

(5) Act of dedication by pastor and family.

To the heavenly Father, whose gracious provi-
dence has made this blessed occasion possible, we
dedicate this home; to his Son, whose ideals and
saving grace make possible true love and unfalter-
ing devotion, we dedicate this home; and to our
church, whose ministry has brought us this saving
message, we dedicate this home. We thank God for
our neighbors and friends who have shared our joys
and sorrows and whose lives make this a good com-
munity in which to build our home. We pray that
this place may grow ever more sacred to each mem-
ber of our family; that it may be a shelter from
the storms of life, a place where waning faith and

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 69

dying courage may be rekindled, and a rock on
which to stand in our efforts to help make a better
world.

(6) Prayer of dedication by pastor.

Use the prayer by Henry van Dyke (page 71), one of
your own, or the following:

"HYMN FOR A HOUSEHOLD
Lord Christ, beneath thy starry dome
We light this nickering lamp of home,
And where bewildering shadows throng
Uplift our prayer and evensong.
Dost thou, with heaven in thy ken
Seek still a dwelling-place with men,
Wandering the world in ceaseless quest?
O Man of Nazareth, be our guest!
Lord Christ, the bird his nest has found,
The fox is sheltered in his ground,
But dost thou still this dark earth tread
And have no place to lay thy head?
Shepherd of mortals, here behold
A little flock, a wayside fold
That wait thy presence to be blest —
O Man of Nazareth, be our guest!

— Daniel Henderson.

(7) Lighting the home fires.

The pastor takes a large candle which represents the
church. He lights it saying:

May this candle represent the church, and the
light which it gives, the light from him who said,
"I am the light of the world."

' Used by permission of the author.

70 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Then let the members of the family step forward, each
holding a candle. The candles might vary in size accord-
ing to the ages of the children. As the pastor touches
the light to the father's candle and he to the mother's
and she to the children's according to age, the pastor says:
"May the light of Christ as given by his church be a
lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path."

Then the father, or father and mother, may set on fire
the fuel in the fireplace, or if no fireplace, set the candles
in candle holders on mantel or table; the father or mother
or the family in unison saying: "May this light of Christ
illumine our home each day and may it guide us to the
end of the way."

(8) Benediction.

The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make his
face to shine upon you 'and be gracious unto you: The
Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace:
Both now and in life everlasting. Amen.

Supplementary Helps

*HOME
The road to laughter beckons me,

The road to all that's best;
The home road where I nightly see

The castle of my rest;
The path where all is fine and fair,

And little children run,
For love and joy are waiting there

As soon as day is done.
There is no rich reward of fame

That can compare with this:

* From "Just Folks." Copyright, 1917. Used bv permission of Mr.
Guest's publishers, The Reilly & Lee Co., Chicago, 111.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 71

At home I wear an honest name;
My lips are fit to kiss.

At home I'm always brave and strong,

And with the setting sun
They find no trace of shame or wrong

In anything I've done.
There shine the eyes that only see

The good I've tried to do;
They think me what I'd like to be;

They know that I am true.
And whether I have lost my fight

Or whether I have won,
I find a faith that I've been right

As soon as day is done.

— Edgar A. Guest.

♦PRAYER OF DEDICATION

With loving hearts we bless thee

In praying and praising, in giving and receiving,

In eating and drinking, in singing and making

merry.
In parents' gladness and in children's mirth,
In dear memories of those who have departed.
In good comradeship of those who are here,
In kind wishes for those who are away,
In patient waiting, sweet contentment, generous

cheer;
God bless every one this day

• Copyright by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Used by special
permission.

72 MINISTER'S MANUAL

With the blessing of Jesus,

By remembering our kinship with all men,

In well wishing, friendly speaking, kindly doing.

By cheering the downcast,

By adding love's sunshine to twilight.

By welcoming strangers,

By keeping the music of the angel's song in this

home:
God help us every one to
Spread abroad the blessing of Jesus. Amen.

— Henry van Dyke.

Vocal solo: Bless This House.

4. Consecration of Little Children

(A. M. Minutes, 1931. Pages 6, 7)

A. General Statement

"We recommend that churches that hold services for the
consecration of children also emphasize the idea of the
consecration of parents as well as the consecration of the
congregation to the interests of its childhood. These
services should be held at regular intervals, perhaps twice
each year. We think that Christmas and Mother's Day,
or Children's Day, would be appropriate occasions. They
should be planned with great care. They should be
simple, brief, and beautiful. They can best be held in
connection with the regular church service, preferably
being substituted for the opening worship program. All
the details should be explained to the parents in advance.
The service should open with the usual prelude or hymn.
As this is concluded the pastor should come into the
church followed by the parents with their children. As
they enter, the pastor may read or quote from memory
appropriate verses of Scripture. He should speak slowly
but clearly and tenderly. The pastor's word to the parents

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 73

should be brief, but with clear intimation of their re-
sponsibility. There should follow the declaration by the
parents, a brief charge by the pastor, a prayer of conse-
cration, and as the parents file out, or to their seats, there
may be an appropriate hymn by the congregation or choir,
special music, or organ postlude. Soft music could appro-
priately accompany the entire service. After the music,
the minister will enter the pulpit and make an announce-
ment to the congregation like this: 'We have just wit-
nessed the consecration of John Milton, son of Brother and
Sister John Doe, and Martha Miriam, daughter of Brother
and Sister William Blank. Certificates of consecration will
be issued to these parents as a memorial of this service.
May God bless these children and make them a blessing.' "

B. A Suggested Form of Service

PRELUDE: Hymn, O Thou Whose Feet Have Climbed

(Brethren Hymnal, No. 390).
PROCESSION: (The minister, followed by the parents with
their children. The minister quoting Mark 10: 13-15.)
"And they were bringing unto him little children,
that he should touch them: and the disciples re-
buked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was moved
with indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the
little children to come unto me; forbid them not:
for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily
I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the
kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise
enter therein."

CONSECRATION CHARGE:

The minister:

God has intrusted this precious child (these chil-
dren) into your care. He (she, they) is (are) as
plastic clay in your hands to be shaped into a fit

74 MINISTER'S MANUAL

vessel for his service. Do you now present this
child (these children) before God in solemn con-
secration?

The parents shall answer: "We do."
The minister:

Do you consecrate yourselves as parents to the
task of rearing your child in the "nurture and ad-
monition of the Lord"?

The parents shall answer: "We do."
* The minister:

Do you promise to instruct this little one in the
Christian way of life, and to the best of your ability,
provide a home atmosphere of devotion and prayer,
and by your personal example lead him finally
through confession and baptism into the fellowship
of the church?

The parents shall answer: "We do."

The minister:

Since you have solemnly promised before God
and these people to rear this child for the service
of Christ and to consecrate yourselves to this sacred
task, I therefore charge you to be faithful to these-
solemn vows which you have made and to engage
all help of home, family, and church to the end
that God's will may be done in this tender life.
May the blessing of God rest upon you. As we
pray, will the congregation stand in consecration
of itself to the spiritual welfare of these children?

* When several children are in service change words to suit the
occasion.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 75

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION:

Oh, thou Master of us all, we beseech thee to bless
this little one as thou didst bless little children dur-
ing thy earthly ministry. Grant thy grace unto
these parents that they may discharge faithfully the
duties of home and family life. Guide them by thy
Holy Spirit that they may always feed the lambs
of thy fold with spiritual food. Holy Father, con-
secrate them unto the truth, the way, and the life
as revealed in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

RECESSION: Hymn, I Think When I Read That Sweet
Story of Old (Brethren Hymnal, No. 398), by the con-
gregation as minister enters the stand and parents with-
draw.

C. Additional Helps for Consecration of Children

If desired the minister may say just before the prayer
of consecration:

What name hath been given to this child?

Then the minister, laying his hand upon the child and
repeating the name, may say:

N I dedicate thee to God and

to the service of his kingdom, in the name of the
Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

At this time the minister may, if he so desire, place in
the hands of the children or parents one or more of the
following gifts, saying as he does so:

In recognition of your dedication to God this day,
we present you with this white flower, the symbol
of your innocence, praying that your pure soul may
ever remain as stainless as this beautiful flower:

76 MINISTER'S MANUAL

This Bible (or Testament) with your name in-
scribed therein; from which your parents will teach
you the way of life;

And this certificate of your dedication, to remind
you in days to come that your parents dedicated
you to the Lord in your early childhood.

(Certificates may be secured from the Brethren Publish-
ing House. Another service with certificate form entitled
For This Child I Prayed may be secured from the Brethren
Publishing House for 25c.)

II. The Anointing Service

Scriptural Background

The anointing for healing in the name of the Lord is a
neglected doctrine. While physicians, with nurses and
friends, do much to relieve and assist those suffering with
physical ailments, only God can heal. The afflicted Chris-
tian can do nothing better than to trust in his power for
healing. The anointing should assist this attitude to pre-
vail.

In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was observed
as an act of consecration (Ex. 40: 9-11).

Officials of both state and church were inducted into of-
fice with an anointing service (Ex. 40: 15; 1 Sam. 16: 12-
13).

The laying on of hands symbolized the bestowment of
the Holy Spirit (Acts 6: 6; 1 Tim. 4: 14; 2 Tim. 1: 6).

These symbols, though ancient, were used by Jesus and
his apostles along with the prayer of faith at the occasion
of the anointing of the sick. Since only God heals, a sym-
bol and service which emphasizes this fact should be ap-
preciated by the sick and should be encouraged by the
ministers. The only worthy desire to live is that one

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 77

may continue to love and serve God and man. The anoint-
ing service should aim at consecration to the unfinished
task. The Church of the Brethren values the following
(Matt. 4: 23; Mark 6: 5,7-13; James 5: 13-18), and anoints
the sick, having faith, for the healing of their bodies and
for spiritual growth and inspiration. Numerous testi-
monies of healing could be given. The Lord honors faith
in him and his promises.

First Anointing Service*

The following is a suggested form for the anointing
service:

(1) Preparation of the one to be anointed

(a) By Scripture and prayer.

(b) By giving a privilege for confession of sin and
the rededication of life.

(2) The Act of Anointing

(a) Placing a few drops of oil on the head of the
individual for:

The increase of faith
The forgiveness of sin
The restoration to health

(b) The elders now place their hands on the head of
the sick and pray for consecration and recovery.

(3) The Benediction of Praise

(a) An appropriate hymn (sung softly)

(b) A benediction of hope.

Second Anointing Service

(1) Brief remarks.

(2) If conditions are favorable, a hymn may be sung,
such as Jesus Lover of My Soul, Rock of Ages, or Nearer,
My God, to Thee.

(3) Scriptures — Your own selection or the following:
And he calleth unto him the twelve, and began to

•J. W. Lear.

78 MINISTER'S MANUAL

send them forth by two and two; and he gave them
authority. And they went out, and preached that
men should repent. And they cast out many
demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick,
and healed them (Mark 6: 7, 12-13).

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs
and wonders wrought among the people. . . .

Insomuch that they even carried out the sick into
the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that,
as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might
overshadow some one of them. And there also
came together the multitude from the cities round
about Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them that
were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were
healed every one (Acts 5: 12, 15-16).

And these signs shall accompany them that be-
lieve: in my name shall they cast out demons; they
shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up
serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall
in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the
sick, and they shall recover (Mark 16: 17-18) .

Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders
of the church; and let them pray over him, anoint-
ing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the
prayer of faith shall save him that is sick, and the
Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed
sins, it shall be forgiven him. Confess therefore
your sins one to another, and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed (James 5: 14-16).

(4) Examining the Patient

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 79

(In order to make sure of the applicant's preparation .
of heart to receive the great blessing of this service, the
minister should inquire into his (her) spiritual condition
(Acts 14: 9).

Dear brother (sister), you have heard something
of what the Word teaches concerning the healing
power of God, through the Holy Spirit.

So far as you know, are you at peace with your
God, or is there anything that might prevent you
from receiving the great blessing in store for you?

Are you ready now to commit your case abso-
lutely into the hands of the Lord as the Great
Physician of the body, as well as of the soul?

All may join in a season of prayer for the true prepara-
tion of heart to enter most fully into the service.

First Form of Anointing Ceremony

In 1860 the Annual Meeting suggested the following
procedure:

"Then the sick member is raised to a sitting posture,
and the elder brother reacheth forth his hand, and the
other brother pours oil upon it, which he, the first, puts
upon the head of the sick, and thus three times, saying
the words of the apostle, Thou art anointed 'in the name
of the Lord,' unto the strengthening of thy faith, unto the
comforting of thy conscience, and unto a full assurance
of the remission of thy sins, or as the Lord may give
utterance."

Second Form of Anointing Ceremony

Following the prayer, the elder who leads the service,
taking the vial of oil in his hand, pours out a portion of
it on the head of the sick, saying as he does so:

80 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Beloved brother (sister) , upon this declaration of
your consecration to God and of your commitment of
all your bodily and spiritual ills to Christ as the
Great Physician, you are anointed in the name of the
Lord, for the healing of all your bodily diseases, and
for the forgiveness of all your sins.

Then the elders lay their hands upon the patient's head,
as in an ordination service, and each elder prays, as led
by the Spirit, definitely committing the patient's condition
to Jesus Christ our Lord, for him to be the Physician in
charge of the case.

Following the ceremony, the company may unite in
singing some appropriate hymn.

III. Electing, Licensing and Installing
Church Officals

I. Licensing Ministers, Brethren and Sisters

Authority for and Procedure

(A. M. Minutes, 1942)
"When one desires to administer the teaching function
as a pastor or an evangelist, . . . that one should be set
apart or licensed by an action of the church and should re-
ceive training for such service. One having this desire may
volunteer. This application should be made in writing,
with reasons attached, to the official board of the church.
Members of the district ministerial board should be in-
formed and the two boards should examine the volunteer
with reference (a) to his or her aims, (b) to natural ability,
(c) to moral and spiritual fitness, (d) to willing preparation
for the duties of the ministry. If and when these boards are
satisfied that the applicant qualifies, he or she shall be li-
censed as directed in the minutes of the Annual Meeting
and the order of service as printed in the Minister's Manual.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 81

Such licentiate should not be ordained to the ministry until
ready to take up active service.

"If in the judgment of the official board, there is material
in the congregation, but such party does not volunteer, the
local board should request the district board to assist in
holding an election. If the congregation makes a choice and
the one so chosen accepts the call, the examination and the
licensing shall take place as set forth above.*

"The classification of ministers in the Church of the
Brethren shall be as follows: Licentiates, Ordained Min-
isters, and Ordained Elders."

(A. M. Minutes, 1922)
"We also decide that sisters, who are properly qualified,
may be licensed by the church to preach. These licenses
may be renewed from year to year. When, in the judg-
ment of the church and the district ministerial board, their
work and interest justify it, they may receive permanent
licenses to preach."

Plan of Election

Election by the majority vote is desirable, and prayer
and labor shall be freely given to make it possible. After
the scriptures setting forth the qualifications of the min-
istry have been read and explained, and earnest prayer
has been made for enlightenment and guidance, the vote
of the church shall be taken. If one receives a majority
of all the votes cast, he shall be declared elected. If no
one receives a majority vote, at the judgment of the elec-
tion board and the elder in charge, the one receiving the
highest number of votes may be declared elected; or the
facts may be reported to the church without giving names,
followed by fervent prayer for spiritual guidance; also
further teaching, if thought necessary, and the vote of the
church shall be taken again, and if one does not receive

'See the note on page 151.

82 MINISTER'S MANUAL

a majority vote, again another season of prayer may be
engaged in and another vote taken. This may be repeated
once or twice, and if one does not receive a majority vote,
and it seems not good to the election board and the elder
in charge to declare an election with a plurality vote, the
election may be declared off.

Qualifications

(A. M. Minutes, 1917)

1. Moral and Spiritual: 1 Tim. 3:1-7; 1:18-20; 2 Tim.
2: 2-4; Titus 1: 5-9. Above all, the minister should be
spiritual; sound in the faith and doctrines of the New
Testament — such as the inspiration of the Scriptures, the
divinity of Jesus Christ, the atonement, regeneration, the
condition of pardon, New Testament ordinances, etc. He
should not be greedy of filthy lucre, not worldly-minded;
but on the other hand, he shall have the mind of Christ,
and withal willing to suffer hardship as a good soldier of
Jesus Christ.

2. Mental and Educational: 1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 2: 15; 3:
15-17. The scriptures cited exhort every minister to make
the preparation that will insure an efficiency approved
of God. While we do not fix a standard of educational
qualifications, we do encourage college and Biblical train-
ing: when necessary, the church should assist in obtaining
it. To those elected to the ministry, who cannot reason-
ably acquire said training, we recommend a Home Study
Course arranged by the Educational Board, the books to
be secured through the Gish Committee. Those ministers
who cannot avail themselves of these advantages, but who
are rendering faithful service notwithstanding, are hereby
encouraged to continue their fruitful labors, and the
church should give them her fullest support.

Form to Be Used in Licensing

(A. M. Minutes, 1924)
When a church in business session has voted to license

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 83

one of her number to preach, the following form is sug-
gested for the use of the officiating minister:.

God has ordained that the gospel shall be
preached. It is committed to the church to carry
out his will. You have signified your promise to
commit yourself to this high calling.

1. Do you willingly engage in this work from a
love for God and anxiety for lost souls?

2. Do you accept the Bible as the Inspired Word
of God and do you believe in the deity and the
atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ?

3. Will you strive to live in harmony with and
teach the doctrine and principles of the Bible, as
interpreted by the Church of the Brethren?

After the party has answered these questions affirma-
tively the officiating minister continues:

You are, therefore, by the authority of the church,
authorized to preach the gospel. The prayer life
and the study of God's Word are essential to your
development and to fit you for a life work in the
ministry toward which you should strive. Faithful
obedience to the teaching of the Word is required
of God's servants.

A short prayer of consecration.

Certificate to Be Provided

(A. M. Minutes, 1922)

The Brethren Publishing House shall provide an appro-
priate certificate, which will be properly filled out by the

84 MINISTER'S MANUAL

church and given to the brother or sister who is licensed
to preach.

(This certificate may be secured from the Brethren Pub-
lishing House, Elgin, Illinois, and should be signed by the
elder or pastor and the church clerk.)

2. Ordaining Ministers

Ordination to Be in Charge of the District Ministerial Board
(A. M. Minutes, 1927, 1942)

"The district ministerial board shall have in charge the
ordination of ministers to the eldership approved by the
elders of the district, and the installation of ministers
from the licentiates in accord with the minutes of Gen-
eral Conference."

Special Sermon at Ordination

(A. M. Minutes, 1917)
The duties of the minister to the church and in general,
also the duties of the church to the minister, shall be
clearly set forth in a special sermon at the time of or-
dination.

Qualifications

(See qualifications of licensed preachers, page 82)

Duties and Responsibilities

(A. M. Minutes, 1917)

1. There shall be two degrees in the ministry, to be
known as ministers and elders. All ministers who, at the
time of the adoption of this report, are serving in the first
and second degrees, shall be designated as ministers.

2. The duties of the minister are to preach the Word,
to administer baptism, to serve the communion in the
absence of an elder or at his request; to solemnize mar-

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 85

riage, in brief, to assist the elder faithfully in the general
work of the ministry (Eph. 4: 11-12; 2 Tim. 4: 1-5).

Form to Be Used in Ordaining Ministers
(A. M. Minutes, 1919)
Read one or several of the following scriptures: 1 Tim.
3: 1-7; 1: 18-20; 2 Tim. 2: 1-4; 3: 15-17; 4: 1-8; Titus 1:
5-9; Eph. 4: 11-16; Isa. 6; Jer. 1: 4-19; Ezek. 2; Matt. 9:
35 to 10: 42.

To the church: Dear brethren and sisters, God,
by the Holy Spirit, calls men to serve him according
to the gifts bestowed upon them; and to chosen
servants he grants the grace of preaching the gos-
pel. Unto the church he has given commandment,
not only to pray for the increase of the ministry,
but also to call those who having proved their fit-
ness and sincerity, may serve in the sacred office, in
order that men of pure heart and good conduct shall
speak unto the edification of believers and building
of the body of Christ. It is proper that all who are
thus called should receive the approval of the
church and an interest in the prayers of the mem-
bers.

This, the [name of the

church] having confidence in the religious convic-
tion and experience, the sincerity of purpose and
character, and the sufficiency of mental and spiritual
gifts, has, according to the polity and forms of the

Church of the Brethren, called

[name of the brother] to the sacred office of the
ministry.

(Here the candidate or candidates shall arise and stand

86 MINISTER'S MANUAL

before the elder, until called to kneel in prayer. If the
candidate is married, the wife also shall answer questions
and is to be given the special charge indicated.)

Do you accept the Bible as the inspired Word of
God, believe in the deity and the atoning sacrifice
of Christ and promise to live in harmony with the
doctrines, principles and practices of the Church of
the Brethren?

Dear brother, God has by the Holy Spirit called
you to the ministry, and you have declared your
acceptance of his truth and your promise to abide
in the teaching of the church. We, therefore, exhort
you to a remembrance of the dignity and worth of
the service to which you are called. We trust that
you shall, by God's grace, give yourself wholly to
this work to which God has called you, that you
may be an ensample to the flock and a pattern for
the people to follow. It will be your duty to preach
and to teach, to admonish and exhort, to feed and
to provide — in full, to be an undershepherd of the
flock of Christ. The church authorizes you to preach
and appoint preaching services, to administer the
ordinance of baptism, to serve the communion in
the absence of an elder, or at his or their request
if present, to solemnize the rite of marriage; and
in brief, to perform all the duties of a minister or
pastor and those of an elder, except that you have
no authority to install officers in a church, nor to
preside at council meetings where official members
are dealt with, nor to do work in the territory of
an organized church without the consent of the

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 87

church or elder. You are invited to participate in
the work of the church at large, except that you
may not preside at a district meeting, nor act as a
member of Standing Committee.

While you are invested with much authority you
should not use it in an arbitrary manner, but sub-
mit to the church and older ministers with a proper
and due humility. In accepting the ministry it is
to be your purpose to be true to your calling, to
maintain the dignity of the pulpit and the honor
of the church, to serve, as far as possible, in the
most needy fields, to be the servant of your Lord
whose disciple and apostle you are.

To the wije: Dear sister, you, with your hus-
band, are likewise specially called into the service
of God and the church. In the duties and respon-
sibilities that fall to him, you are to be a true help-
meet and colaborer in service. In your home, you
should, by your devotion and loyalty, strengthen
the heart of your husband and make a good report
among all for him and his family. We exhort you
to sincerity and holiness in life, that you may like-
wise be an example to the flock. You will have
large opportunity for leadership and service in the
church, especially among the sisters of the church,
as you help them in their special problems, strength-
en them for their special temptations, and increase
the spirit of holiness in their lives. Thus you will
also share the rewards and joys of a faithful servant
(1 Peter 3: 1-6).

88 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Do you [naming the brother and his wife] will-
ingly and freely accept this, the ministry of God,
from a love of God, a hunger for souls, and a desire
for service? Do you promise to be faithful and
diligent in the work of the ministry and labor at
all times to maintain the purity and peace of the
church?

To the church: You have been led of God to
call this young man into the ministry of the church.
It is your duty, as a church, and it is incumbent
upon the church at large, to make it possible for
him to give the fullest measure Of service to the
kingdom. Thus you should provide him with the
necessities of life that he may devote himself to the
ministry of the Word, sustain him in the bonds of
love and fellowship, strengthen his hands with
prayer, and work with him as colaborers in Christ in
the work of the church for the promotion of his king-
dom.

Here the candidates and the church shall kneel in a
prayer of mutual consecration. The ordained brethren
shall with the laying on of hands, pray that God may
consecrate and anoint them for the work to which they
are called (A. M. Minutes, 1938). At the close of the
service they shall be received by the members with the
hand of fellowship and the salutation of love.

Ministerial Certificate

(A. M. Minutes, 1920)

This certificate should be provided by the district ministerial
board and may be secured from the Brethren Publishing House.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 89

3. Ordaining Elders

Authority and Method of Ordaining

(A. M. Minutes, 1890 and 1927)

1. The authority to ordain elders shall be vested in the
elders of the state districts.

2. The elders assembled at district meeting shall consult
as to the ordination of all elders to be effected in the
district. If the majority of the elders decide that the
ordination should be made, the matter shall be referred
to the district ministerial board (to have in charge the
ordination of ministers to the eldership approved by the
elders of the districts — Conference Minutes, 1927) who
shall go to the church and, in council with it if they find
no gospel objections, the ordination shall be made.

3. The necessity of ordaining elders may originate with
the officers of the church or the elders of the district.

Special Sermon at Ordination

(A. M. Minutes, 1917)

The duties of the minister to the church, and in general,
also the duties of the church to the minister, shall be
clearly set forth in a special sermon at the time of in-
stallation and ordination.

Qualifications

(See qualifications of licensed preachers, page 82)

Duties and Responsibilities

(A. M. Minutes, 1917)
The duties of the elder, in addition to the foregoing
duties of the minister, are to feed the flock, to preside over
council meetings, especially when official members are
on trial, to anoint the sick, to have the oversight and gen-
eral management of the church; in brief, to be a faithful
shepherd to the flock, guarding their souls as one that
must give an account, and be willing to serve in any capac-

90 MINISTER'S MANUAL

ity authorized by the church (Acts 20: 28; 1 Tim. 5: 17;
Titus 1: 5; James 5: 14).

When the minister proves himself faithful and efficient
in his office, he shall be ordained elder; and when or-
dained, he shall pledge himself to live and labor in har-
mony with the accepted standards of the church in faith
and doctrine and practice (1 Tim. 5: 22; Titus 1: 5; 1 Peter
5: 3).

Form to Be Used in Ordaining Elders
(A M. Minutes, 1919)
(Read one or several of the following scriptures: Acts
20: 18-35; 1 Tim. 3: 1-7; Titus 2: 1-8; 1 Peter 5: 1-4; Acts
14: 23.)

To the church: Dear brethren and sisters, God,
by his Spirit, not only calls men into the serv-
ice of the ministry, but, when they are found effi-
cient and faithful, he rewards them with a larger
task. Therefore, unto the church he has given com-
mandment, not only to set apart godly men to the
ministry, but, when they have been proved and
tested in service, to give them a larger field of use-
fulness. It is proper that those who are thus ad-
vanced and given heavier responsibilities, should
receive the approval of the church and a consecra-
tion to the larger service.

This, the [name of the

church] knowing the efficient and faithful service
in office and the continued growth in spirituality
and ability to serve, has, according to the polity and
procedure of the Church of the Brethren, called

[names of brother and sister]

to be ordained to the sacred office of elder.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 91

(Here the minister to be ordained, with his wife, may
stand or remain seated, as desired, until called to kneel
in prayer. The sister should answer all questions and be
given the special charge.)

Do you again declare your faith, as when installed
into the ministry, and accept the Bible as the in-
spired Word of God, believe in the deity and' aton-
ing sacrifice of Christ, and promise to live in har-
mony with, teach and uphold, the doctrines, prin-
ciples and practices of the Church of the Brethren?

Dear brother, you have been called to the min-
istry and been found faithful. You are now or-
dained as a full minister, known in Scripture and
among us as the elder. We trust that you may be
conscious of the worth and responsibility of the
office, and that this may induce in you a proper
humility and a larger dependence and trust in God.
We trust that you shall, by God's grace, give your-
self wholly to this work, to which God has now
ordained you, be an ensample to the flock, and godly
in the sight of all men. The church authorizes and
expects you to be responsible for the spiritual in-
terests of the flock. You are the undershepherd
of your Christ. It is your duty to preach and teach,
to feed the flock, to perform all the ordinances and
rites of the church, to comfort and anoint the sick,
to have the oversight and general management of
the church when chosen as presiding elder, to train
and help your younger ministering brethren, and
apportion such work to them as they are fitted fer
by experience and ability, to install officers and

92 MINISTER'S MANUAL

preside at any and all meetings. In the local church
you are to guard and be responsible for the interests
and work of the church. In the church at large you
are equal with any elder, and may serve in any
capacity to which the church may deem it wise to
call you.

While the church confers large powers upon you,
may you be exhorted to use all of them always as
one guided of the Lord, the one Head of the church
whose we are, and with due respect for the opinions
and work of your colaborers in the ministry. The
true servant of God must always labor for the peace
and unity of the church, ever willing to subordinate
his own judgment and feeling for the progress of
the kingdom.

To the wife: Dear sister, you have likewise
been faithful in service, and with your husband,
share the rewards of a larger opportunity. In the
new duties and responsibilities that fall to him you
will share as a true helpmeet and colaborer. We
exhort you to a continued increase in holiness and
a renewed willingness to be used in service. In a
larger sense now than before you will be an ex-
ample to the flock, and you will be called upon for
help in many ways. You will be entrusted with
special tasks in giving help and counsel to the sisters
of the church, with whom you will always labor
for an increase in holiness. Thus, as you are faith-
ful, you will also share in the joys and rewards (1
Peter 3: 1-6).

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 93

Do you [naming the brother and sister] willingly
and freely accept the full ministry of the church
from a love of God, a hunger for souls and a desire
for service? Do you again, as when you entered
the ministry, promise to be faithful and diligent in
the work of the ministry, and labor at all times to
maintain the purity and peace of the church?

To the church: Knowing the service and faith-
fulness of our brother and sister, you have called
them into the full ministry. It is your duty now
more fully to sustain them in their work, so as to
make it possible for them to give the fullest measure
of service to the kingdom. You should continue to
provide them with necessities of life, sustain them
in the bonds of love and fellowship, and to strength-
en their hands with prayer. As you now invest
them with a greater responsibility, by that same act
you promise such loving co-operation as becometh
the children of God. It must be your purpose to
labor with them in all love and unity.

(The brother and sister to be ordained, together with
the congregation, are now to kneel in prayer. The or-
daining brethren shall then, with the laying on of hands,
pray that God may consecrate and anoint them for the
work to which they are called. At the close of the service
they shall be received by the members with the hand of
fellowship and the salutation of love.)

It is deemed wise that in all cases where church officials
are married after their installation or ordination, their
wives shall be installed into their respective offices at an
early and convenient opportunity.

94 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Term of Office of Presiding Elders

(A. M. Minutes, 1917)

Churches should elect their presiding elders at least once
in three years.

(For further information concerning elders, consult Re-
vised Minutes of the Annual Meeting, 1778-1922, pp. 78 to
87.)

4. Installation of Pastors

(A. M. Minutes, 1928)

After the usual devotion, a sermon should be delivered
by a member of the district ministerial board, or another
chosen for this important service, setting forth the duties
and responsibilities of both the pastor and the church.
(Such texts as the following could be used: Isa. 6: 8-9;
Jer. 1: 4-10; 3: 16; 23: 1-4; Matt. 9: 36-38; 28: 18-20; Mark
16: 15; Luke 4: 18-19; John 10: 1-18; 21: 15-17; Acts 10: 42;
13:2; 20:17-35; Rom. 1:14-16; 10:14-15; 1 Cor. 3:1-9;
4:1-2; 9:16-17; 15:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:3-10; Eph. 4:11-16;
Col. 4: 17; 1 Tim. 1: 18-20; 2: 7; 3: 1-7; 4: 12-16; 6:3-14;
2 Tim. 2: 1-7; 2: 15; Titus 1: 7-9; 1 Peter 5: 1-5.)

After the presentation of the message, the following
service of installation should take place:

Brother , God has called

you into his holy ministry. He has called you to
the pastorate of this church. We so believe because
your call was a subject of earnest prayer, both by
you and by the church. Thus we have reason to
believe that both the call to you by the church and
your accepting the call were the leading of God.

Question. Are you persuaded that you are truly
called to the pastorate of this congregation, accord-
ing to the will of God?

Answer: I am persuaded.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 95

Question: Are you persuaded that the Holy Scrip-
tures contain all teaching required of necessity for
eternal salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ, and
are you determined out of the same Holy Scriptures
to instruct the people committed to your charge?

Answer: I am so persuaded and determined.

Question: Will you be ready with faithful dili-
gence to withstand, and to defend the church
against, all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary
to the Word of God as understood and practiced by
the Church of the Brethren?

Answer: I am ready.

Question: Will you ever seek to deal justly and
kindly with your brethren over whom you are
placed as pastor?

Answer: I will.

Question: Are you willing to receive the charge?

Answer: I am.

The Charge to the Pastor

I charge you, therefore, Brother ,

before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall
judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and
his kingdom: preach the word; be instant in season,
and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all
long suffering and doctrine. . . . Watch thou in all
things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evan-
gelist, make full proof of thy ministry (2 Tim. 4:
1-2, 5) . May the Lord give unto thee the Holy Spirit
for the work and ministry of a pastor in this church,

96 MINISTER'S MANUAL

now committed unto thee. Remember "that thou
stir up the gift of God which is in thee. . . .
for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of
power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Tim.
1: 6-7).

Then the officiant may deliver to him a Bible, saying:
"Give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teach-
ing." Think upon the things contained in this Book.
Be diligent in them, that the increase coming there-
by may be manifest unto all men. "Take heed to
thyself and them that hear thee." Be to the flock
of Christ a good shepherd; feed them, hold up the
weak, minister unto the sick, bind up the broken,
bring in the outcast, seek the lost, be merciful; that,
"when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you may
receive the crown of glory," through Jesus Christ
our Lord.

The Charge to the Church

Brethren and sisters, you have called Brother

to be your pastor. He has

accepted the call and received the charge. It is
your duty now to give him loyal support. You
should pray for him earnestly and regularly and be
ready always to help him in every way you can.
While he ministers to you in spiritual things, you
should be diligent to minister to him in temporal
things, remembering at the same time that he also
needs spiritual comfort from you. That he may
be self-respecting and be respected in the commu-
nity, it is your duty to pay him promptly and

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 97

regularly whatever is due him. It is your duty,
as much as lies in your power, to enable him to
carry on most efficiently his service as pastor.

Question: Are you willing to receive this charge?
If so, you may manifest your willingness by stand-
ing.

(At this juncture a member of the local ministerial
committee or some other person appointed may present
the pastor with a key to the church, and with a few well-
chosen words assure the pastor of the loyalty of the con-
gregation.)

Response by the pastor.

Prayer of consecration.

Closing moments.

5. Deacons

(A. M. Minutes, 1919, 1935, 1942)
The Office of Deacon

The church of the first century, in both its program and
its organization, sensed the importance of providing for
worthy spiritual servants called deacons (Acts 6: 1-6;
Philippians 1: 1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).

The need for such servants is just as great now. Our
problems may be different in form but they demand in
those who handle them the same moral and spiritual vi-
rility. A re-evaluation of the office and work of the dea-
con is quite essential.

In thinking of the spiritual implications of deacons'
work, we should first of all think of it as a means to
higher spiritual attainments.

Jesus taught his followers to think of God and to ad-
dress him in prayer as "Our Father" and to think and
speak of themselves in terms of our, us and we, indicating
the Father's children. This makes God our Father and

98 MINISTER'S MANUAL

all his followers brothers and sisters in the highest sense,
constituting a divine family whose Father is God. This
relationship naturally creates a mutual and spiritual in-
terest in each other as individuals and the family as a
whole. Our interest should, above all, be centered in the
honor, welfare and influence of the Father's family, in
which the deacons function as administrators, providing
for its spiritual welfare.

The early church recognized this family relationship
and none said that "aught of the things which he pos-
sessed were his own; but they had all things common"
(Acts 4: 32) and used them as a family. As the work
enlarged they appointed administrators to direct the dis-
tribution of their possessions as the need required (Acts
6: 1-6). These men were called "deacons" and were chosen
because of their special fitness for their work. Their
ministrations were directed so as to preserve the spiritual
unity and influence of the believers.

Jesus gave instructions in the preservation of these
values. In Matthew 18: In case a brother sins against
another, thereby bringing reproach upon himself and the
church, the offending brother's redemption is to be sought
earnestly. If the effort fails, then he is to be put away
from the church so as to preserve her purity and influence.
The church is a holy institution and her purity must be
preserved by reforming the sinner or by removing him
from it. This work is practical and highly spiritual and
the deacon needs divine wisdom to function properly in
this needy field (Gal. 6: 1).

In making physical arrangements for baptism and in
assisting applicants the deacon, whenever practical, should
also assist the new members to become established spiritu-
ally in the church and her services. The physical should
be used as a means to spiritual ends.

Likewise in providing for the communion services, the
spiritual enrichment of the participants and the honor
and glory of God should receive first consideration. Meth-

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 99

ods and forms that may have a tendency to detract from
these important spiritual values should not be used. The
human physical element during these services should be
reduced to the minimum.

The ultimate aim of all of the deacon's work should be
to develop the spiritual lives of individual members and
to preserve the spirituality and purity of the church that
she may be the light of the world. Stephen, the first
Christian martyr, was a deacon and brought honor to the
office by his zeal for the work of Christ and by faithfully
upholding the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom.

The office of deacon carries with it both responsibility
and reward; for "they that have served well as deacons
gain to themselves a good standing and great boldness in
the faith which is in Christ Jesus."

Qualifications

"The office of deacon is a worthy one and merits faith-
ful and conscientious service. Brethren chosen as deacons
should be faithful and loyal to the church, sincere and
spiritually minded, with wisdom and judgment in all the
work of the church (Acts 6: 3; 1 Tim. 3: 8-9). The wives
of deacons should likewise be examples in their Christian
virtues" (Revised Minutes, 1778-1922, page 87).

Electing, Organizing and Perpetuating the Deacon Board

1. Annual Conference provides that in the election of
deacons the ballot system be allowed, provided that the
ballots are prepared in private and counted in private by
brethren in charge of the election only (Revised Minutes,
1778-1922, page 70).

2. That the term of office of a deacon be for life or
until such a time as he disqualifies himself by lack of
diligence, faithfulness, loyalty, morality or efficiency. For
procedure in such cases see Revised Minutes, 1778-1922,
page 90. Since the office is sacred and important, a period

100 MINISTER'S MANUAL

of not less than one to three years shall be required in
which to prove himself faithful in service (1 Tim. 3: 10).

3. "The size and the location of the congregation should
determine the number of active members on the board.

4. "At the age of seventy, deacons may be retired from
active duties and younger men should be selected to fill
up the active personnel. The retired men may still be
used in an advisory capacity.

5. "When a deacon moves into the bounds of another
congregation, his service as a deacon in the new location
shall be determined by a ballot vote of the congregation.
The official board shall determine the time of this vote
and prepare for it.

6. "If, for any reason, the deacon board has lost its
place and influence in the congregation, a plan for revital-
ization should immediately be attempted, in harmony with
this form.

7. "The deacon board should organize by electing a
chairman and a secretary for a term of three years. The
chairman should be chosen because of his spirituality and
his administrative ability. The secretary should know
how to record minutes and keep records.

8. "Regular meetings should be held by the deacon
board. The officers should prepare an agenda for the
meeting. Any member of the congregation has the privi-
lege of presenting in writing, with signature attached,
any matter deemed helpful to the work.

9. "That there be instituted in each region and district
a series of institutes for the purpose of educating and
training in the functions of the deacon's office."

Duties of the Deacon

Since young men of good character, possessing executive
ability and financial management, will be members of the
deacon board, congregations choosing members for trustees

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 101

and finance committees should make some of their selec-
tions from this board.

1. "The deacon board should be charged with arranging
the physical equipment when the rites of baptism, love
feast and communion are to be observed. They should have
in mind the spiritual nature of these services. When re-
quested by the minister, deacons may assist in performing
these rites.

2. "They may be used by the minister to perform the an-
nual visit, to bring aid and encouragement to the sick and
the invalids, to assist in the anointing service, or do the
anointing in their own right when no ministers are avail-
able and the case is urgent, to see that individuals or fam-
ilies suffering the lack of material necessities are not neg-
lected, to aid in restoring those who have grown indifferent
to active fellowship, to assist in promoting a healthy pro-
gram of evangelism, to fill the pulpit at the request of the
minister in his absence.

3. "They shall be the agency for implementing in the
congregation the program of the Brethren Service Commit-
tee both in regard to service and the procuring of funds for
the support of the same" (Minutes of the Annual Confer-
ences, 1923-1944, pages 170-2).

Forms for Installation of Deacons

(A. M. Minutes, 1919, 1935, 1942, 1943)

1. At the time of election, a deacon shall be received
according to the order of service as given in the report of
1919, Revised Minutes, pages 88 and 89. When the church
decides to install him, it shall be done by a consecration
prayer and the laying on of hands (Annual Meeting Min-
utes, 1935, page 39).

2. Form of installation: Read the following passages:
Acts 6: 1-10; 1 Tim. 3: 8-13.

102 MINISTER'S MANUAL

To the church: Dear brethren and sisters, in order
that the work of the church may prosper, God has ap-
pointed men in the church to serve in their several
capacities, each one according to his gifts and calling.
To the church he has therefore given commandment
that, led by the Spirit, they should separate men to
look after the temporal interests of the church and to
labor with the ministering brethren for the spiritual
welfare of the members. Such are called in his Word
"deacons," and as their name indicates, they are to
serve. Brethren who are called to this worthy serv-
ice must be faithful and loyal to the church, sincere
and spiritually minded, and possess wisdom and
judgment in dealing with the affairs of the church.
Their wives should also abound in these Christian
graces, that they likewise may be examples in Chris-
tian work and life.

This, the [name of the church]

having full confidence in the faithfulness and loyalty,

and the wisdom and spirituality, of

[names of the brother and sister] has, according to
the policy of the Church of the Brethren, called them
to the office and work of the deacon.

Here the brother and his wife shall stand before the elder
and answer these questions and receive their charges.

Do you accept the Bible as the inspired Word of
God, believe in the deity and the atoning sacrifice of
Christ? Do you promise to live in harmony with the
doctrines, principles, and practices of the Church of
the Brethren?

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 103

For the Office on Trial
The officiating elder shall say to the brother:
Dear brother, you have been called to the office of
deacon for a probationary period (1 Tim. 3: 10).
Your status is somewhat comparable to that of the li-
centiate in the ministry. Your office is a worthy one
and demands your most conscientious service. You
are called to special work in the church, and as such
you will have a larger influence among the members
and in the sight of the world than otherwise. We trust
that you will, by your sincere and faithful life and
your loyalty to the teachings and practices of the
church, reflect credit on the body of Christ. You are
called upon to co-operate with the older officials of
the church in looking after the material arrange-
ments for the ordinances, providing for the poor, vis-
iting the sick and the delinquent, and in promoting
the general welfare of the congregation.
Then the elder shall say to the sister:
Dear sister, you likewise are called into a very def-
inite service in the church. You are called to assist
in the material arrangements for the ordinances, and
should be willing to labor for the spiritual interests
of the church.

Do you [naming the brother and his wife] will-
ingly and freely accept the office and work of the
deacon from the love of God and a desire that the
church may prosper? Do you promise to be faithful
and diligent in the work of the church and always
labor for the unity and progress of the kingdom?

104 MINISTER'S MANUAL

The brother and the sister shall then kneel in a prayer
of mutual consecration, led by the officiating elder, or
elders.

For the Permanent Office
The officiating elder shall say to the church:
Dear brethren and sisters, in order that the
work of the church may prosper, God has ap-
pointed men in the church to serve in their several
capacities, each one according to his gifts and calling.
To the church he has therefore given commandment
that, led by the Spirit, they should separate men to
look after the temporal interests of the church and to
labor with the ministering brethren for the spiritual
welfare of the members. Such are called in his
Word "deacons," and as their name indicates, they
are to serve. Brethren who are called to this worthy
service must be faithful and loyal to the church, sin-
cere and spiritually minded, and possess wisdom and
judgment in dealing with the affairs of the church.
Their wives should also abound in these Christian
graces, that they likewise may be examples in Chris-
tian work and life.

This, the [name of church] having

called [names of brother and sister]

to the office of deacon for a probationary period (1
Tim. 3: 10) , has, after "proving" them, full confidence
in their faithfulness, loyalty, wisdom, and spirituali-
ty, and has therefore called them to the permanent
office and work of the deacon. They will therefore
rise to receive their charge.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 105

Addressing the brother, the elder shall say:

Dear brother, the church having called you to
serve as deacon for a probationary period, has found
you faithful and efficient in your calling, and now,
in confidence in your fidelity and integrity, proposes
to advance you to the full deaconship, to serve as
long as you prove useful to the church in your official
capacity, as defined by General Conference.

While the apostolic injunction, "Ye younger sub-
mit yourselves to the elder" (1 Peter 5: 5), still ap-
plies to you, suggesting deference to those duly called
to leadership among the officials, yet you should now
assume the duties of your office in full, as the Lord
may give you grace and wisdom.

You should be diligent and skillful in preparing
the material setting for baptisms and communion
services, being zealous that "everything be done de-
cently, and in order" (1 Cor. 14: 40) , and the sacra-
ments made real means of grace to the believers.

You are charged to administer wisely other tem-
poral interests committed to your care, such as the
needs of the poor and the unfortunate, and the work
outlined as "Brethren Service" by the General Con-
ference, so that the "increase of the Word of God
and of the number of disciples" shall follow as it did
in the days of the apostles (Acts 6: 7). You should
also be willing to assume any other duties of trustee-
ship or obligation which the church may deem wise
to place upon you.

You should be diligent in visiting the members,

106 MINISTER'S MANUAL

especially the sick, needy, and delinquent, as directed
by the ministers and other officials, or in your own
right according to the usage of the church. You are
authorized to assist in the anointing service, or do
the anointing in your own right when no ministers
are available and the case is urgent. You may also
assist the minister at baptismal and communion serv-
ices when requested by him, and are authorized to
take charge of the regular appointments of the
church, "at the request of the minister, in his ab-
sence."

Finally, your counsel and co-operation should be
given generously and discreetly to the official board
of the church in its supervising ministry to the body
of Christ, "for the perfecting of the saints, and the
building up of the body in the unity of the faith"
(Eph. 4: 12-13).

Then the elder shall say to the sister:

Dear sister, you have shared in the confidence the
church now expresses, as the result of your service
during the probationary period. You are not called
to be a deaconess in your own right, as Phoebe was
(Rom. 16: 1) , yet your office as your husband's helper
is a very important one as defined by this permanent
charge. The church authorizes and expects you to
assist in the material preparations for love feasts and
baptisms, and all other duties of your position. You
should be willing to labor for the spiritual interests of
the church, in visiting the sick and giving comfort
and help wherever needed. You should use your

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 107

special opportunity to be an example to the other sis-
ters of the church, and to lead them to the higher
spiritual life of the church (1 Tim. 3: 11). Your atti-
tude in general will determine much as to whether
your husband will "serve well as a deacon, and pur-
chase to himself a good degree and great boldness in
the faith" (1 Tim. 3: 13).

Here the brother and his wife shall stand before the
elder and answer these questions and receive their charges.

Do you accept the Bible as the inspired Word of
God, believe in the deity and the atoning sacrifice of
Christ? Do you promise to live in harmony with the
doctrines, principles, and practices of the Church of
the Brethren?

Do you [naming the brother and his wife] willing-
ly and freely accept the office and work of the deacon
from the love of God and the desire that the church
may prosper? Do you engage to be faithful and dili-
gent in the work of the church and always to labor
for the unity and progress of the kingdom?

Pursuant to your call by the church, and your ac-
ceptance of this charge, you are now directed to the
throne of grace for the enduement with power from
on high through the laying on of hands.

The brother and the sister kneel, while the elders lay
hands on him and pray.

At the conclusion of the prayer, and after the brother
and the sister have risen, the officiating elder may say:

I now declare you duly set apart in your sacred of-

108 MINISTER'S MANUAL

fice and extend the right hand of fellowship, and co-
operation.

6. Laying Hands on Missionaries

The Annual Conference of 1938 made the following
decision: "The teaching of the New Testament and the
spirit of the practice of the Church of the Brethren justifies
the laying on of hands when brethren or sisters are in-
stalled into the ministry or sent out as missionaries.

"Therefore we decide that the elders who have charge
of such installation or consecration services observe, in
the fear of the Lord, this New Testament symbol of the
enduement of the Holy Spirit, and exhort the recipients
thereof not to neglect the gift, which is given by prophecy
with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (1 Tim.
4: 14)."

7. Installation and Consecration Services for Other Leaders

Prelude

Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty (No. 17 in

Brethren Hymnal)
Call to Worship

Give ear, O my people, to his law; Which we have
heard and known, and our fathers have told us. That
the generation to come might know them. . . . That
they might set their hope in God, and not forget the
works of God, but keep his commandments.
Invocation
Hymn: O Master Workman of the Race (No. 409, stanzas 1

and 2)
Scripture Reading: Eph. 4: 11-16
Prayer
Offering

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 109

Sermon: The Price of Leadership
Service of Installation and Consecration

(The designated groups will rise in the order announced
and remain standing until the consecration prayer.)

Minister's Comment

We stand at the beginning of a new year in the life
of our church. We have chosen from our numbers
those to whom we shall look for leadership in our
various fields of activity. We shall move forward in
the building of this church and of the kingdom of
God as we work together — all members of the con-
gregation as well as leaders. In giving ourselves we
shall discover many opportunities for growth and the
joys and satisfactions of Christian service. We come
to this service in the spirit of humility and seek to
consecrate ourselves wholly to the work which is be-
fore us.

Charge to Church Officers

Because the members of this congregation have
faith in your ability and your devotion to the church
you have been chosen for positions of responsibility
and leadership. You are called upon to guide us in
the various phases of our church program, to work
and plan and to enlist the interest and co-operation of
the entire church in the work which you represent.

Do you give yourselves unreservedly to the tasks
to which you have been appointed, pledging to seek
the mind of Christ in all things and to serve the high-
est interests of the kingdom of God through this
church?

110 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Response: We do.

Charge to Church School Officers and Teachers

You have been called to guide and carry out the
teaching ministry of this church. You stand in posi-
tions of great responsibility in the guidance of grow-
ing life. You will have opportunity to teach great
Christian truth by word or deed. You stand between
what is and what will be in the lives of those you
serve. Unlimited possibilities for influencing grow-
ing Christian life are before you.

Do you pledge to seek to understand the needs of
those you guide and teach, giving unstintingly of your
time and effort, attempting to lead them to a commit-
ment to Christ and growth in his way of life and shar-
ing with them in building a church, a community and
a world in which his will shall be known? Do you
pledge to prepare yourself for this service through
study and drawing upon the resources of prayer and
worship for the enrichment of your own lives?
Response: We do.
Charge to the Congregation

You have heard the pledges of those who have
been appointed to serve in special ways during the
coming year. They cannot do their work or carry
forth the program of this church alone. To each of
you is given a task. Each of you stands in a position
of influence whether it be in the home, the church, or
the community. We cannot build unless we work to-
gether with God.

Do you pledge to support to the best of your ability

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 111

the work of the church, encouraging those who have

been called upon to serve in special capacities and

seeking always the highest good in the life of this

church?

Response: We do.

Prayer of Consecration

Hymn: Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak (No. 444)

Benediction

IV. Ceremonies Connected With Church Buildings
and Their Equipment

1. Laying a Cornerstone

Call to Worship

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven
and earth.

Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that
build it.
Hymn: The Church's One Foundation
Scripture Reading: 1 Chron. 29: 10-18; Ezra 3: 10-13; Isa.

28: 16; 1 Peter 2: 4-7; Psalm 132: 1-9, 13-16; 1 Cor. 3:

9-17; Eph. 2: 19-22, or other passage.
Address
Laying of the Stone

Into the stone the minister usually places some signifi-
cant documents, such as a history of the church, a copy
from the minutes ordering the erection of the building,
the names of the building committee and other church
officials, a Bible, a hymnal and church publications. After
these have been placed in the stone, the minister, assisted
by the builder, shall lay the stone in its place.

Then the minister, placing his hand on it, shall say:

112 MINISTER'S MANUAL

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit, we lay this cornerstone of a building

to be erected here to be known as the Church

of the Brethren, and devoted to the worship of Al-
mighty God.

Behold I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect,
precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be
confounded.

Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.
Prayer

Hymn: I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord
Benediction

2. Dedicating a Church

(The following or a regular worship service adapted to
the occasion)

Prelude

The Doxology

Invocation and the Lord's Prayer

Hymns: The Church's One Foundation, or I Love Thy
Kingdom, Lord.

Scripture Reading: 2 Chron. 6: 12-21; Psalm 48; Psalm
122; Matt. 16: 13-20; Eph. 2: 10-22; Heb. 10: 19-25, or
other appropriate passage. If responsive reading is de-
sired, No. 49, Brethren Hymnal (1925 edition) is sug-
gested.

Prayer

Anthem

Dedicatory Sermon

Statement by a Member of the Building Committee

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 113

The Dedicatory Offering
Act of Dedication*

Minister: To the glory of God our Father, by
whose favor we have built this house; to the
honor of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living
God, our Lord and Savior; to the praise of the
Holy Spirit, Source of life and light;

Congregation: We dedicate this house.

Minister: For worship in prayer and song; for
the ministry of the Word; for the celebration of
the holy sacraments;

Congregation: We dedicate this house.

Minister: To the memory of our beloved dead; to
the gentle and true of former times; to all who
have unloosed the bonds of ignorance and
wrong;

Congregation: We dedicate this house.

Minister: To the welfare of the living; to those
whose ways are good and those whose ways are
evil; to the strong souls that stoop to share the
burden of their fellows; to the weak and de-
fenceless; to the darkened mind, the tempted
heart, the life-weary and the heavy-laden, and
to all human need;

Congregation: We dedicate this house.

Minister: To the ministry of the strong to the
weak; to the bringing of light in darkness; to

• From Manual of the Congregational and Christian Church by
permission.

114 MINISTER'S MANUAL

the giving of hope, courage, and spiritual health
to all human hearts;

Congregation: We dedicate this house.

Minister: To the proclamation of the truth that
sets men free, to the liberty of the sons of God;
to reverence for all worth of the past and to the
eager acceptance of all good which the future
may unfold;

Congregation: We dedicate this house.

Minister: For the salification of the family; for
the guidance of childhood; for the salvation of
men;

Congregation: We dedicate this house.

Minister: For the fostering of patriotism; for the
training of conscience; for aggression against
evil;

Congregation: We dedicate this house.

Minister: For the help of the needy; for the pro-
motion of brotherhood; for bringing in the
kingdom of God;

Congregation: We dedicate this house.

Minister: As a tribute of gratitude and love, a
freewill offering of thanksgiving and praise,
from those who have tasted the cup of thy
salvation and experienced the riches of thy
grace;

Congregation: We, the people of this church and
congregation, now consecrating ourselves anew,
dedicate this entire building in the name of the

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 115

Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.
Choir and Congregation: Glory be to the Father,

and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it

was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end. Amen.
The Dedicatory Prayer

Hymn: O Where Are Kings and Empires Now?
Benediction and Choral Amen.

3. Dedicating a Parsonage

Prelude

Call to Worship
Leader: And into whatsoever house ye shall enter,

first say: Peace be to this house.
People: Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine

house, and peace be to all thou hast.
All: Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any
man hear my voice and open the door, I will come
in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

The Invocation and the Lord's Prayer

The Scripture Lesson: 1 Cor. 13; Matt. 5: 3-9, 13-16; or

other appropriate passage
Brief Address

Solo: Bless This House (Brahe)
Presentation of Keys of Parsonage to the Pastor by a

Member of the Board of Trustees, who may say:

In token of our love for the church of Jesus Christ
which it is our joy through the building of this par-
sonage to seek to promote, and as an expression of
our appreciation of the loving service of God's min-

116 MINISTER'S MANUAL

ister and of his standing in this community, on behalf

of the board of trustees and in the name of the

church, I gladly present to you

the keys that unlock and guard the privileges and
blessings of this new parsonage home.
Pastor's Response:

On behalf of myself and my family, we receive this
beautiful and commodious residence for a dwelling
place while among you with deep appreciation of the
generous and kindly spirit, the faith and devotion
which it represents, a reflection of the splendid char-
acter of this people; and on behalf of those ministers
and families who shall occupy this parsonage in years
to come, I assure you that this home shall be occu-
pied with grateful satisfaction and to the end that
God's church and kingdom may be advanced. May
this residence ever house a home where warm-
hearted fellowship, understanding counsel and spir-
itual enrichment may be shared. In the name of him
who stands back of the realization of this earthly
dream, and in the name of his church, you are invited
now to join in dedicating this parsonage home.
The Service of Dedication:

Minister: In gratitude to our heavenly Father and
to his glory through whose favor and blessing we
have been able to build [purchase and pay for]
this pastoral home,

People: We dedicate this parsonage.

Minister: In grateful appreciation of the gener-
osity, loyalty and spirit of unity manifested by

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 117

the members and friends of this congregation
in this undertaking,

People: We dedicate this parsonage.

Minister: That it may be a place of fellowship, com-
radeship, hospitality and kindly influences,

People: We dedicate this parsonage.

Minister: To the sanctification of work and leisure,
of gaiety and laughter, of music and worship,

People: We dedicate this parsonage.

Minister: To those who choose to take upon them

the holy vows of marriage within these walls,
People: We dedicate this parsonage.
Minister: To those who need counsel and inspira-
tion, comfort and consolation, confession and
prayer, and to those who come seeking to know
God,
People: We dedicate this parsonage.
The Dedicatory Prayer:

O God, our heavenly Father, who hast "set the soli-
tary in families," by whose favor and help this house
has been built, be pleased to let thy blessing rest up-
on it, upon those who now and in the years to come
shall abide here and upon those who shall from day
to day pass through its portals. We bid thee come,
our heavenly Father, to this dwelling place that the
spirit of Christian love may glow in this home, radi-
ating to other homes appreciation, goodwill and holy
cheer.

118 MINISTER'S MANUAL

And, our heavenly Father, remembering that we
have here only a tenting place of our pilgrimage up
to the eternities and that thou hast set ajar before us
the radiant gates of the city celestial, enable us all so
to live and labor that we shall come at last to the
home "not made with hands, eternal in the heav-
ens." Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lighting the Candle as a Symbol of the Light of the Home
As the candle is lit, the minister or someone else may
read:

Peace unto this house, I pray,
Keep terror and despair away;
Shield it from evil and let sin
Never find lodging room within.
May never in these walls be heard
The hateful or accusing word.

Grant that its warm and mellow light
May be to all a beacon bright,
A naming symbol that shall stir
The beating pulse of him or her
Who finds this door and seems to say,
Here end the trials of the day.

Lord, this humble house we'd keep
Sweet with play and calm with sleep.
Help us so that we may give
Beauty to the lives we live.
Let thy love and let thy grace
Shine upon our dwelling place.
(From. The Light of Faith, by Edgar A. Guest;
used by permission of the author.)

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 119

The Doxology
The Benediction

(Open house may be observed following the service, if
desired.)

4. Dedicating a Hymnbook, Musical Instrument, Offering

Plates, Pulpit Bible, Pulpit Furniture, or Choir Robes,

or Burning a Mortgage

Forms for these may be secured from the General
Boards.

V. Consolation

* 1. The Memorial Service

Musical Prelude (by singers or instrument)
Opening Sentences

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord
pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our
frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

I am the resurrection, and the life: he that be-
lieveth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never
die.

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall
stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though
this body be destroyed, yet shall I see God: Whom I
shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and
not as a stranger.

We brought nothing into this world, and it is cer-
tain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and

* Arranged by Edgar Rothrock; used by permission.

120 MINISTER'S MANUAL

the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of

the Lord.

Invocation

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who art our
Refuge and Strength, and a very present help in time
of trouble; enable us, we pray thee, to put our trust
in thee, and seeing that we have an High Priest who
is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, may we
come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in this time of
need; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn or Special Music. (For selections see pages 105, 106;

for poems see pages 128 to 135.)
Scripture Reading: one or more of the following, or see

page 105.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains:

From whence shall my help come?

My help cometh from Jehovah,

Who made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:

He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel

Will neither slumber nor sleep.

Jehovah is thy keeper:

Jehovah is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day,

Nor the moon by night.

Jehovah will keep thee from all evil;

He will keep thy soul.

Jehovah will keep thy going out and thy coming in

From this time forth and for evermore. — Psa. 121.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 121

Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God,
believe also in me. In my Father's house are many
mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you;
for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I come again, and will re-
ceive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye
may be also. And whither I go, ye know the way.
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither
thou goest; how know we the way? Jesus saith
unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the
life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. —
John 14: 1-6.

* * * *

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his

name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the

shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of

mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the

days of my life:

122 MINISTER'S MANUAL

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. —

Psa. 23.

* * * *

Now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the
firstfruits of them that are asleep. For since by
man came death, by man came also the resurrection
of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in
Christ shall all be made alive. But some one will
say, How are the dead raised? and with what
manner of body do they come? Thou foolish one,
that which thou thyself sowest is not quickened
except it die: and that which thou sowest, thou
sowest not the body that shall be, but a bare grain,
it may chance of wheat, or of some other kind; but
God giveth it a body even as it pleased him, and
to each seed a body of its own. So also is the resur-
rection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is
raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonor; it is
raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised
in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a
spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is
also a spiritual body. And as we have borne the
image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image
of the heavenly. For this corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on immor-
tality. But when this corruptible shall have put
on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on
immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that
is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O
death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy
sting? The sting of death is sin; and the power of

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 123

sin is the law: but thanks be to God, who giveth
us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast,
unmovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not
vain in the Lord.— 1 Cor. 15: 20-22, 35-38, 42-44, 49,
53-58.

* * * *

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write,
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from
henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may
rest from their labors; for their works follow with
them.— Rev. 14: 13.
Prayer

Hymn or Special Music
Obituary
Sermon

Prayer: The needs of the bereaved should be sympatheti-
cally and helpfully expressed.
Hymn or Special Music
Benediction

Now the God of peace, who brought again from the
dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood
of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, make
you perfect in every good thing to do his will, work-
ing in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever
and ever. Amen.— Heb. 13: 20-21.

Viewing the Body. Quiet instrumental music or hymns
are appropriate.

124 MINISTER'S MANUAL

2. Service al the Grave

Scriptures: At the grave after the casket has been placed
and the people assembled, the minister may say:

But we would not have you ignorant, brethren,
concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow
not, even as the rest, who have no hope. For if
we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even
so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God
bring with him. — 1 Thess. 4: 13-14.

• ♦ * *

And as we have borne the image of the earthy,
we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. For
this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this
mortal must put on immortality. — 1 Cor. 15: 49, 53.

* * * *

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art
with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. —
Psalm 23: 4. Or Psalm 121, or Psalm 46, or Rev. 7: 9.
Poem (pages 128 to 135), Hymn or Prayer
Committal

Forasmuch as the soul of our brother [ sister 1
has entered into everlasting life, we commit his
[her] body to its resting place,* looking unto him
who said: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he
that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he
live; and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall
never die."

* In case of cremation read : We therefore return the body to the
elements.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 125

or

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his
great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear
brother here departed: we therefore commit his
body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes,
dust to dust, in sure and certain hope of the resurrec-
tion to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who shall change the body of our low estate, that it
may be like unto his glorious body, according to the
mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all
things to himself.
Prayer

or

With our FAITH firmly fixed

In the Father above,
We tenderly now

Do this service of LOVE.

With our HOPE sure in Jesus,
Heaven's fairest and best,

We make this committal,
Trusting God for the rest.

In the name of the Father,

In the name of the Son,
In the name of the Spirit,
May God's will be done.

Forest S. Eisenbise.
or

Cherishing memories that are forever sacred;
Sustained by a faith that is stronger than death;

126 MINISTER'S MANUAL

And comforted by the hope of a life that shall end-
less be,

We commit to the earth all that is mortal of this,
our friend.

As we have borne the image of the earthy,

So shall we bear the image of the heavenly.

Suitable poems, scriptures and prayers, arranged to har-
monize with the following committal of Dr. Warmer, and
impressively read before and after the committal verses
and the placing of flowers on the casket, will make a deep
impression on all.

And now upon her (his) casket
We lay these flowers fair
In token of sweet memories
And hope beyond compare.

One for the faith she cherished,
Unfaltering and true,
Another for her faithfulness —
Well known by all of you.

And this, the choicest symbol,
We lay upon her heart,
In memory of her useful life,
Of ours a deathless part.

Loosed is the cord of silver,
Broken the golden bowl;
These flowers are faith immortal,
At home with God, the soul.

Dr. George A. Warmer

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 127

(For a child change faith to love, faithfulness to play-
fulness and useful to happy.)
Benediction

Jehovah bless thee, and keep thee: Jehovah make
his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto
thee: Jehovah lift up his countenance upon thee,
and give thee peace. — Num. 6: 24-26.

3. Scriptures for Consolation

For Funerals
General
Psa. 27: 1, 3, 5, 11; 139: 1-2, 6-12; Matt. 5: 3-4, 6-8; Rom.
8: 14, 16-18, 31-35, 37-39; 2 Cor. 1: 3-4; Rev. 7: 14-17.

For Faithful Men and Women

Num. 23: 10; Prov. 31:10-12, 25-31; Matt. 25: 34-36, 40;
Heb. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 2:9-11; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Rev. 21:7;
Rom. 8:14-17, 28; Rev. 7:9-17; 2 Tim. 4:7-8; 2 Tim. 1:
10.

For Children

1 Sam. 3:10; 2 Sam. 12:18-20, 22-23; Job 1:21; Isa. 40:
11; Mark 10:15-16.

For Youth

John 11: 21-28, 32-36; Eccles. 12: 1; 1 Sam. 20: 3; Isa. 38:
10; Isa. 65: 6; Jer. 15: 9.

For the Aged
Job. 5: 26; Psa. 92: 13-14; Gen. 5: 24; Gen. 47: 9; 2 Sam.
3: 38; Psa. 116: 15; Acts 11: 24; Acts 13: 36.

4. Great Hymns of Comfort

Abide With Me

Asleep in Jesus! Blessed Sleep

128 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Come Unto Me When Shadows Darkly Gather

For All the Saints Who From Their Labors Rest

From Every Stormy Wind That Blows

Forever With the Lord

Hark, Hark, My Soul! Angelic Songs Are Swelling

How Firm a Foundation

Home of the Soul

Jerusalem the Golden

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

Lead, Kindly Light

My Jesus, As Thou Wilt

Nearer, My God, to Thee

Our God, Our Help in Ages Past

O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go

O Paradise! O Paradise! Who Doth Not Crave for

Rest?
One Sweetly Solemn Thought
Peace, Perfect Peace, in This Dark World of Sin
Rock of Ages
Safe in the Arms of Jesus
Saved by Grace
Shall We Gather at the River
Shall We Meet
Some Time We'll Understand
Still, Still With Thee
Sunset and Evening Star
Sun of My Soul
The Sands of Time Are Sinking
The Sweet By and By
What a Friend We Have in Jesus

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 129

5. Poems of Consolation

Friends Beyond

I cannot think of them as dead,

Who walk with me no more;
Along the path of life I tread —

They have but gone before.
The Father's house is mansioned fair,

Beyond my vision dim;
All souls are his, and here or there

Are living unto him.
And still their silent ministry

Within my heart hath place,
As when on earth they walked with me,

And met me face to face.
Their lives are made forever mine;

What they to me have been
Hath left henceforth its seal and sign

Engraven deep within.
Mine are they by an ownership

Nor time nor death can free;
For God hath given to love to keep

Its own eternally.

— Frederick L. Hosmer

Strong Son of God

Strong Son of God, immortal Love,
Whom we, that have not seen thy face,
By faith, and faith alone, embrace,

Believing where we cannot prove;

130 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Thine are these orbs of light and shade;

Thou madest life in man and brute;

Thou madest death; and, lo, thy foot
Is on the skull which thou hast made.

Thou wilt not leave us in the dust:
Thou madest man, he knows not why,
He thinks he was not made to die;

And thou hast made him: thou art just.

Thou seemest human and divine,
The highest, holiest manhood, thou;
Our wills are ours, we know not how:

Our wills are ours, to make them thine.

Our little systems have their day;
They have their day and cease to be:
They are but broken lights of thee,

And thou, O Lord, 'art more than they.*

— Alfred Tennyson

The Eternal Goodness
Within the maddening maze of things,

And tossed by storm and flood,
To one fixed trust my spirit clings;

I know that God is good!

I long for household voices gone,

For vanished smiles I long,
But God hath led my dear ones on,

And he can do no wrong.

• Prom Tennyson's Poetical Works. The Macmillan Company, New
York, are the publishers and hold the copyright. Used by special
permission.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 131

I know not what the future hath

Of marvel or surprise,
Assured alone that life and death

His mercy underlies.

And if my heart and flesh are weak

To bear an untried pain,
The bruised reed he will not break,

But strengthen and sustain.

And so beside the silent sea

I wait the muffled oar;
No harm from him can come to me

On ocean or on shore.

I know not where his islands lift

Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift

Beyond his love and care.*

— John Greenleaf Whittier

God Knoweth Best

Precious thought, my Father knoweth,

In his love I rest;
For whate'er my Father doeth

Must be always best.
Well I know the heart that planneth

Nought but good for me;
Joy and sorrow interwoven —

Love in all I see.

* Used by permission of, and by arrangement with the authorized
publishers, Houghton Mifflin Company.

132 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Precious thought, my Father knoweth,

Careth for his child;
Bids me nestle closer to him

When the storm beats wild.
Tho' my earthly hopes are shattered,

And the teardrops fall,
Yet he is himself my solace,

Yea, my Friend, my all.

Oh, to trust him then more fully,

Just to simply move
In the conscious, calm enjoyment

Of the Father's love;
Knowing that life's chequered pathway

Leadeth to his rest,
Satisfied the way he taketh

Must be always best.

— Anonymous

In My Father's House

(In my Father's house there are many rooms. John 14: 2)

No, not cold beneath the grasses,
Not close- walled within the tomb;

Rather, in my Father's mansion,
Living, in another room.

Living, like the one who loves me,
Like my child with cheeks abloom,

Out of sight, at desk or schoolbook,
Busy, in another room.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 133

Nearer than my son whom fortune
Beckons where the strange lands loom;

Just behind the hanging curtain,
Serving, in another room.

Shall I doubt my Father's mercy?

Shall I think of death as doom,
Or the stepping o'er the threshold

To a bigger, brighter room?

Shall I blame my Father's wisdom?

Shall I sit enswathed in gloom,
When I know my loves are happy,

Waiting in another room?*

— Robert Freeman

Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar

When I put out to sea.

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep

Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell

When I embark, f

— Alfred Tennyson

* Used by special permission of the author.

t From Tennyson's Poetical Works. Copyright by the MacMillan
Company. Used by special permission.

134 MINISTER'S MANUAL

So Live
So live, that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan, which moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.*

— William Cullen Bryant

The Open Door

You, my son,

Have shown me God;

Your kiss upon my cheek

Has made me feel the gentle touch

Of him who leads us on.

The memory of your smile, when young,

Reveals his face,

As mellowing years come on apace.

And when you went before,

You left the gates of heaven ajar

That I might glimpse,

Approaching from afar,

The glories of his grace.

Hold, son, my hand,

Guide me along the path,

•From Thanatopsis. Copyright by D. Appleton-Century Company.
Used by special permission.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 135

That, coming,

I may stumble not

Nor roam,

Nor fail to show the way

Which leads us — home.*

— Grace Coolidge

(Mrs. Calvin Coolidge)

Beyond the Horizon

When men go down to the sea in ships,

Tis not to the sea they go;

Some isle or pole the mariners' goal,

And thither they sail through calm and gale,

When down to the sea they go.

When souls go down to the sea by ship,
And the dark ship's name is Death,
Why mourn* and wail at the vanishing sail?
Though outward bound, God's world is round,
And only a ship is Death.

When I go down to the sea by ship,
And Death unfurls her sail,
Weep not for me, for there will be
A living host on another coast
To beckon and give "All Hail!"f

— Robert Freeman

* Used by permission of *he author.
t Used by permission of the author.

136 MINISTER'S MANUAL

He Walks Ahead

He is not dead, this friend; not dead,

But, in the path we mortals tread,

Got some few trifling steps ahead,

And nearer to the end,

So that you, too, once past the bend,

Shall meet again, as face to face, this friend

You fancy dead, f

— Robert Louis Stevenson

Thy Sea Is Great, Our Boats Are Small

O Maker of the Mighty Deep,

Whereon our vessels fare,
Above our life's adventure keep

Thy faithful wat'ch and care.
In thee we trust, whate'er befall;

Thy sea is great, our boats are small.

We know not where the secret tides

Will help us or delay,
Nor where the lurking tempest hides,

Nor where the fogs are gray.
We trust in thee, whate'er befall;

Thy sea is great, our boats are small.

When outward bound we boldly sail
And leave the friendly shore,

Let not our hearts of courage fail
Until the voyage is o'er.

t Used by special permission of the pubiishers, Charles Scribner':
Sons.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 137

We trust in thee, whate'er befall;
Thy sea is great, our boats are small.

When homeward bound, we gladly turn,

Oh! bring us safely there,
Where harbor-lights of friendship burn

And peace is in the air.
We trust in thee, whate'er befall;

Thy sea is great, our boats are small.

Beyond the circle of the sea,.

When voyaging is past,
We seek our final port in thee;

Oh! bring us home at last.
In thee we trust, whate'er befall;

Thy sea is great, our boats are small.*

— Henry van Dyke

VI. The Love Feast or Communion Service

1. General Suggestions

The Church of the Brethren observes the communion
as a part of the larger service which we call the love feast.
It has always been one of the richest and most sacred oc-
casions among us. In the love feast we celebrate the most
precious aspects of our Christian experience: Christian
love for one another and for all God's children, which
finds dramatic and symbolic expression in the washing of
feet and in the fellowship meal; acceptance anew of the
sacrifice of Christ on the cross for our redemption and the
redemption of all men, symbolized by the breaking and
eating of the communion bread; and receiving by faith
the divine life in Christ, as symbolized by the drinking of
the cup.

138 MINISTER'S MANUAL

The love feast is celebrated twice a year by most of our
churches. While many churches have time-honored and
conveniently established times, more and more churches
are accepting Thursday evening of Passion Week and
World Communion Sunday (first Sunday of October) as
significant times for its observance.

The Setting and Arrangements

The love feast is the supreme worship service of the
church and should therefore, wherever possible, be ob-
served in the sanctuary with its exclusive worship associ-
ations. Where that is not possible, the place in which it is
held should be made as worshipful and beautiful as pos-
sible. The tables should be arranged so that all are on one
level and should be covered with 'clean white cloths. The
deacons of the church, with the elder or pastor, should see
that all material preparations have been made in an or-
derly, reverent and dignified way. (See The Office of
Deacon, page 97.)

Unleavened communion bread is usually prepared by
the wives of ministers or deacons. (For the recipe, see
Granddaughter's Cookbook, page 31.) The unfermented
juice of the grape is used for the sacrament of the cup.
The meal should be kept as simple as possible.

Most churches have the feet-washing service at the tables.
Some, however, have this service in side rooms or other
convenient places. Wherever in the church it is observed,
it should be done in an atmosphere of reverence and dig-
nity. The singing of appropriate and well-chosen hymns
or quiet music may accompany it.

All who assist the officiating elder should be seated near
him at a table centrally placed so that all may see and
hear him without difficulty. It is well for those responsible
for seating communicants to see that older and younger
persons are well distributed and that there be complete
equality and fellowship in seating arrangements.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 139

Some churches provide a nursery where mothers who
otherwise could not attend the service can leave their
little children.

Music

Quiet and appropriate music may be used prior to the
service, during periods of silent meditation and prayer,
the feet-washing service, and the fellowship meal.

Hymns should be chosen with care and sung by the en-
tire congregation. The officiating elder and the directors
of music should plan for the singing so that the most ap-
propriate hymns are chosen. The hymns in the following
order of service are suggestive. Similar hymns may be
used instead of those designated.

Preparation

Preparation for the entire service should be made in
great detail and with utmost thought and care. The offi-
ciating elder should arrange for participation of other
ministers, deacons or laymen in the Scripture readings, the
prayers and the direction of the music. There should be
a deep sense of dependence upon the Holy Spirit for guid-
ance and blessing in order that the service may not be
formal and cold but a great, enriching spiritual experience.

In the matter of spiritual preparation for the love feast,
the church visit has traditionally held a very large place.
Where that visit is no longer made, its purpose should
still be held before the minds of the people. That purpose
was and is that members should be at peace with one an-
other. If there be any differences between members they
should be resolved before coming to the communion. Only
then is fellowship with God possible (Matt. 5:23-24; 1
John 4: 20). To be right with one's brother or sister, to
have love in one's heart toward all men, to be humble and
penitent and to have a sincere faith in God, these are
matters of the greatest importance as we approach the
Lord's table.

140 MINISTER'S MANUAL

The preparatory service itself may be held on a preced-
ing evening, in the Sunday morning service nearest the
love feast or when the communicants have gathered for
the service.

2. The Service of Preparation

Prelude and Quiet Moments of Meditation

(Quiet organ music may help in creating an atmosphere
of reverent devotion and worship, or there may be a period
of silence where no instrument is used.)
Scripture Sentences (to be read responsively)

Minister: He was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastise-
ment of our peace was upon him; and with his
stripes we are healed.

People: Herein is love, not that we loved God, but
that he loved us and sent his Son to be the pro-
pitiation for our sins. Beloved, let us love one
another, for love is of God; and everyone that
loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that
loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love.

Minister: If any man will come after me, let him
deny himself and take up his cross daily and fol-
low me. For whosoever will save his life shall
lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for my
sake, the same shall save it.

People: Be not fashioned according to this world,
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what is the good and ac-
ceptable and perfect will of God.
Hymns: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty; Father,

Again in Jesus' Name We Meet

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 141

Reading of the Word of God: 1 Cor. 11: 17-34, or Psalm

139: 1-12, 23-24
Prayer of Confession and Petition
The Communion Sermon (examination sermon)
Some suggestive themes and texts:
The Communion of Saints, 1 John 1:7
The Guest Chamber of the Soul, Luke 22: 11
The Bread of Life, John 6: 35
Why Commune? 1 Cor. 11:24-25
Purity of Heart, Matthew 5: 8
Hymn: Holy Ghost, With Light Divine; or Come, Ye Dis-
consolate
Period of Prayer

Prayers of confession, praise and reconsecration may
be offered by any worshiper. Time and liberty should be
granted for such prayers. In closing this season of prayer,
the congregation may unitedly pray, as follows:

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all
desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid;
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration
of thy holy spirit, that we may truly love thee, and
worthily magnify thy holy name, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen."

And then unite in praying the Lord's Prayer.

3. The Love Feast

Hymn: When We Walk With the Lord; or Nearer, My God,

to Thee
A Brief Prayer

Scripture Reading: John 13: 1-17
The Feet-washing — Love Expressed in Humble Service

Proper facilities having been provided, the person at the
end of each table shall gird himself with a towel and shall
wash the feet of the person next to him, then shall greet
him with the right hand of fellowship and the kiss of love.

142 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Then the person whose feet have been washed shall pro-
ceed in like manner to wash the feet of the next person
and so until all have had part in the service. While this is
being done, appropriate hymns may be sung, or there may
be instrumental music.
The Lord's Supper — Love Expressed in Fellowship

Scripture Reading: John 15:9-17, or 1 Cor. 11: 17-22
Hymn: Be Present at Our Table, Lord; or In Christ There
Is No East or West
Prayer of Blessing
The Fellowship Meal

Prayer of Thanksgiving. (In some of our churches this
prayer is offered; in others it is omitted. When used
this can be made a prayer of thanksgiving and of in-
tercession for the church and for the whole family of
God around the world.)
The Communion — The Redemptive Love of God

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 53; John 19: 1-30, or Mark

15: 16-37
Communion Hymn: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Invitation: The officiating minister may say:

We are about to celebrate the communion. All
who are in love and fellowship with your brethren,
who do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, who
humbly put your trust in Christ and desire his help
that you may lead a holy life, draw nigh to Grod and
receive these sacred emblems to your comfort,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Sacrament of the Bread

The minister shall uncover the communion bread and
taking an unbroken piece in his hands shall say:

"For I have received of the Lord that which also I
delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night
in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when he

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 143

had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my
body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of
me."

Then shall the officiating elder, holding the bread in his
hands, pray in some such manner as this:

All glory and honour and thanksgiving be unto
thee, eternal God, our heavenly Father. We bless
thee for thy Son, our Savior, for the beauty of his
life, for his atoning death on Calvary's cross and for
his living presence with us now. We present before
thee this bread, symbol of the broken body of our
Lord, and pray that thou wilt bless and bonsecrate it
from a common to a sacred and commemorative use.
Bless us as we partake of it and may the Holy Spirit
teach us more deeply the meaning of this sacrament.
May the benefits of his death be anew applied to our
hearts and, as we remember that "he bore our sins in
his body on the tree," help us more and more to
reckon ourselves to be dead unto sin and alive unto
God through him. In his name we pray. Amen.

Then all communicants shall say together with the offi-
ciating elder:

"The bread which we break is the communion of
the body of Christ."

The officiating elder shall then break the piece of bread
which he holds and give a piece to the brother next to him,
after which all communicants shall break the bread to one
another. Where the bread is placed on the tables, it may be
broken across the table. When all are served, the bread
shall be eaten in silence and reverent meditation upon the
Savior's suffering for our salvation.

The Sacrament of the Cup

144 MINISTER'S MANUAL

The minister shall take a cup in his hands and say:
"And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to
them, saying, Drink ye all of it: for this is my blood
of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto
remission of sins."

Holding the cup in his hands, the officiating minister shall
pray in some such manner as this:

Holy and loving Father, we look to thee again and
pray that thy divine blessing may be upon this cup,
emblem of the shed blood of our Lord. "Thou hast
redeemed us by thy blood," and for this our hearts go
out to thee in ardent thanks. We rejoice that we are
justified freely by thy grace, through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus. Wash us thoroughly from our
iniquity and cleanse us from our sins. And now con-
secrate this cup as a memorial of our Savior's shed
blood, and as by faith we partake of it, may forgive-
ness and divine life be communicated to us anew.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then all communicants shall say together with the offi-
ciating elder:

"This cup of the New Testament is the communion
of the blood of Christ."

Then all shall drink of the cup. If time is required for the

distribution of the bread or the cup, hymns such as Bread

of the World, in Mercy Broken; O Sacred Head, Now

Wounded; or Alas, and Did My Saviour Bleed, may be sung.

Conclusion

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration
Hymn: Blest Be the Tie That Binds; or God Be With
You Till We Meet Again
Benediction:

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 145

The peace of God which passeth all understanding
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain
with you always. Amen.

The service being ended, the worshipers should leave
the tables in reverent silence. That the spiritual impres-
sion of the service may be retained, a minimum of work
should be done at the close.

4. Communion for Ihe Sick

Some pastors and some churches which do not have pas-
tors find great value in bringing the communion to such
members of the congregation desiring it who by reason of
illness or infirmity were unable to be present at the love
feast. A deacon and his wife may with good results ac-
company the pastor in this service. A communion set con-
sisting' of a small plate of bread, a flagon for the grape
juice and some individual communion cups may be used
for this purpose.

An order of service such as the following may be used:

Scripture: Mark 14: 22-25; John 19: 16-30, or Isaiah 53

Prayer of Consecration

Breaking of the Bread

The minister and the communicant may say together:

"The bread which we break is the communion of
the body of Christ."

There may be a moment of silent prayer while the bread
is being eaten.
Giving of the Cup
The minister and the communicant may say together:

146 MINISTER'S MANUAL

"This cup of the New Testament is the communion
of the blood of Christ."

Silent Prayer, Followed by the Cup.
Benediction

5. Conference Decision Regarding Attendance at
Communion

(Minutes of the Annual Conferences, 1923-1944, pages 10 and 11)
"We consider that two fundamental questions are raised
with reference to fitness to participate in the love feast:
"(a) The question of faith in the sacraments to be ob-
served, and in the fundamental doctrines of which they
are emblems.

"(b) The question of loving obedience or willing attitude
of heart to live up to these truths.

"Scriptural Teachings on the Subject

"1. In the order of services, as instituted by our Lord, he
first washed his disciples' feet as an example of loving,
humble service; then he ate with them a meal, which
Paul calls the Lord's supper, in token of Christian fellow-
ship and brotherhood; and, last of all, he instituted the
communion of his body and blood.

"2. Concerning the communion observance, the Scrip-
tures may be summarized as follows:

"(a) The basic truth, as taught by Jesus in John 6: 48-
63, i.e., Jesus is the bread of life. Any one eating his
flesh and drinking his blood has eternal life. The Word
and the Spirit constitute the life, available to the believer.

"(b) This basic truth Jesus enshrined in the sacrament
of the communion: the loaf representing his body ('The
Word made flesh'), and the cup symbolizing his blood
('poured out for the life of the world') (Matt. 26: 26-29;
Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23). Paul also understood
the sacrament of the communion to symbolize participa-

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 147

tion in the death and life of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 10: 14-17;
11: 23-26).

"Worthy and Unworthy Participation

"1. Some of the things which the Scriptures mention as
disqualifying are as follows: Insincerity, hatred, faction,
strife, jealousy, malice, railing, covetousness, reveling,
fleshly lusts, adultery, wickedness, ungodliness, denying
the Lord, etc.

"2. The Scriptures teach that under such circumstances
it is 'impossible to eat the Lord's supper' and that those
who are thus 'guilty of the body and blood of the Lord,'
are not benefited, but rather made worse, and because of
their guilt 'eat and drink judgment unto themselves.'

"3. In order to participate in a worthy manner, the
communicant must experience in his heart the identifica-
tion with Christ, which these emblems signify, i. e.,

"(a) An acknowledgment of unworthiness in ourselves.

"(b) Living faith in Jesus Christ, as our all-sufficient
Savior.

"(c) Loving, loyal obedience to him as our Lord.

"4. This would require, in the participant, a process of
self-examination and a renewal of vows of consecration
to his Lord.

"The Duty of the Church

"1. The church should provide for such preparation of
heart:

"(a) By a carefully prepared and appropriate sermon,
and

"(b) By an opportunity for private conferences, for all
who may desire.

"2. If anything is known to exist that would disqualify
any member or members from communing in the true
spirit, the matter should be adjusted beforehand, with
a view of preparing such persons for the service.

148 MINISTER'S MANUAL

"3. In case matters cannot be adjusted, prior to the
service, and in case any are scripturally disqualified, the
church would be justified in debarring such persons from
the communion until adjustments may be made."

VII. Receiving Members

Fortunate is the church that is constantly receiving new
members. New members should feel that they are to be a
part of a friendly, happy fellowship of sincere followers of
Christ. It is wise for the minister to have a personal in-
terview with each applicant. The minister is the shepherd
of souls and is anxious to learn of the spiritual condition
of all who seek membership in the congregation. He will
tactfully discover the applicant's sincerity, his knowledge
of and faith in the gospel; his desire to forsake sin and to
be obedient to the Word of God, as understood and inter-
preted by the Church of the Brethren. He will give such
instruction as seems necessary.

Ministers may receive help by turning to Chapter II and
reading the part entitled Instructing for Church Member-
ship. Helpful material for receiving members into the
church may be ordered from the Catalog for Church Work-
ers, Brethren Publishing House, Elgin, 111.

1. By Baptism

It is usual at the time of baptism to have each candidate
make public confession of his faith, and to have it wit-
nessed by the congregation.

Part of the 18th chapter of Matthew is usually read.
The applicant is asked if he will promise to follow the rule
of the Master, in case of difference between himself and
other members.

Then he is asked if he will agree to live according to
the rules of the church and help in her deliberations,
organization and administration.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 149

Three questions are asked of each applicant, either while
kneeling in the water or before entering. If several are
to be baptized it is effective to ask each applicant to assent
to each question, while they are seated or standing in a
group. The questions should be worded so that the
youngest may understand. According to the Conference
of 1848 the questions are:

a. Dost thou believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God, and that he brought from heaven a saving gospel?

b. Dost thou willingly renounce Satan, with all his per-
nicious ways, and all the sinful pleasures of this world?

c. Dost thou covenant with God in Christ Jesus, to be
faithful until death?

Or the questions may be phrased as follows:

a. Do you believe that Jesus is God's Son and do you re-
ceive him and trust him as your Savior?

b. Do you turn away from all sin and will you endeavor
by God's grace to live according to the example and teach-
ings of Jesus?

c. Will you be loyal to the church, upholding her by
your prayers and your presence, your substance and your
service?

Then the minister shall say:

Upon this thy confession of faith which thou hast
made before God and these witnesses, thou shalt, for the
remission of thy sins, be baptized into the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

After the third immersion the minister lays his hands
on the applicant's head and prays (a) for the forgiveness
of sins, and (b) for the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:
38; 8: 17; Matt. 28: 18-19; Acts 19: 5-6).

Then the minister may grip the hand of the applicant
with a warm "God bless you" and assist him from the
pool.

150 MINISTER'S MANUAL

It is well to instruct an applicant as to just what to do
while in the water. He should be as relaxed as possible,
putting complete trust in the administrator. The applicant
should kneel, sitting on his heels. With one hand holding
the nostrils, the minister gently presses the applicant's
body forward until it is completely immersed, saying, "I
baptize thee into the name of the Father," etc. Quiet
music between the immersions is effective.

2. By Rebaptism

Members of other denominations who have not been
baptized by trine immersion may be received into full
membership by rebaptism. Ministers should appreciate
the Christian experience of these people. They may need
special instruction concerning the distinctive doctrines and
policies of the Church of the Brethren.

3. On Former Baptism

The following is the decision of the 1915 Annual Confer-
ence concerning Receiving Members Without Rebaptism:

"Persons that are satisfied with their baptism, having
been performed in the scriptural manner, viz., trine im-
mersion unto remission of sins, and desire to unite with
the church, after giving evidence that their faith and
repentance are genuine, and after a confession of faith
in the Scripture as understood and practiced by the
church, may be received by the laying on of hands, if
this has not been done, and the hand of fellowship, and
kiss of love."

4. By Letter

Members of the Church of the Brethren presenting
letters of membership may be received formally thus:
The minister shall say: "The following present letters of
membership. They will rise as their names are called.
[The minister reads their names.] Dear brethren [sis-

FORMS AND CEREMONIES 151

ters], you have already made public confession of your
faith in Christ, and have been recommended to the foster-
ing care and fellowship of this church. By presenting
your letters, do you again renew your vows of faithfulness
to Christ and his gospel as interpreted by the Church of
the Brethren, desiring in all things to walk worthily of
your high calling in Christ Jesus?"

After their response, "We do," the minister asks the
members of his church to rise, and says: "We, the officers
and members of this church, cordially welcome you to
fellowship with us in Christ, and to share with us in the
work of his church at this place."

Members are often received simply by the reading of
their letters and a statement of welcome.

NOTE ON THE STATUS OF LICENSED MINISTERS

A decision of the 1946 Annual Conference, made after this man-
ual had been prepared, further clarified the status of the licentiate
by amending a decision of the 1922 Conference. The amended
ruling is as follows:

"Brethren who are called by the church to preach shall be li-
censed by the church to preach, but not to perform the other func-
tions of the ministry, until such time as the church and the district
ministerial board shall decide to ordain them into the ministry. If
they have not been ordained within a year, the license may be
renewed by the church from year to year, until such brethren
either accept and are ordained into the ministry, according to
previous decisions, or are discontinued as licensed preachers; or
if in the judgment of the church and the district ministerial board
the best interest of the church can be served, these brethren may
be given license to preach for an indefinite time."

CHAPTER FOUR

MINISTERIAL MATTERS

I. An Ethical Code for Ministers and
Congregations

(As approved by the General Ministerial Board)

1. The church should honor the ministry as a high and
holy calling. Faithful officials should be respected and
esteemed.

2. The minister should maintain the dignity of his
profession in all his relationships, both within the church
and in the community at large.

3. The minister should keep physically fit. The church
should make it possible for him to have a weekly holiday
and an annual vacation for rest and improvement.

4. The minister should nurture his own spiritual life
and strive for professional growth and efficiency in his
calling.

5. There should be clear and just contracts between a
church and its pastor. Both parties should abide scrupu-
lously by the terms of the contract until its expiration
unless it is revoked by proper procedure or mutual agree-
ment.

6. The church should recognize that a minister is en-
titled to an adequate remuneration but the service of a
minister should never be limited by financial considera-
tion.

7. The minister should scrupulously guard all confi-
dential and official information. He should not be swayed
by "community gossip" or take sides with factions in

MINISTERIAL MATTERS 153

his church. A church should protect its minister from
"factions" and "cliques."

8. The minister should not act as an agent or salesman
for any commercial enterprise. The pulpit should not be
used as a medium of political, personal, or commercial
propaganda.

9. The minister should manage his own financial affairs
with dignity and honor. He should avoid speculation and
debt and pay his bills promptly.

10. A church should not tolerate "loose" and "slipshod"
business methods. It should meet its obligations to the
pastor and others promptly.

11. The minister should be frank, courteous, and co-
operative with the ministers of his own and other
churches. He should not proselyte. He should not render
professional service in the congregation of another min-
ister without the consent of that minister except in an
emergency.

12. The minister should give his time unstintingly to
the spiritual service of his people. A church should not
permit its pastor to be the "handy man" of the congre-
gation.

13. Pastoral calls should not be hastily extended by
churches or hastily accepted by ministers. The voice of
the church should be taken by ballot and no call should
be extended unless it is supported by three fourths of the
membership. Christian courtesy requires that the minor-
ity move to make a call unanimous and to support the
minister "heart and hand."

14. A minister should not seek or consider a call from
another church whose pastor has not yet resigned.

15. Electioneering or campaigning either for or against
a candidate for a pastorate should not be tolerated either
by the church or the minister. Hostile or unfriendly

154 MINISTER'S MANUAL

criticism of the church by the minister or of the minister
by the church is unethical.

16. Under no circumstances should a church consider or
even negotiate with two men at the same time. It is
also unethical for a minister to bargain between churches.

17. When starting on a new pastorate, the minister
should begin by feeding the flock. He should learn to
know his people as soon as possible. He should be slow
in setting up new machinery and in upsetting established
customs.

18. A minister should not go into a church to replace
former workers, but to take his place at their side. The
other ministers in the local congregation should be made
to feel that they are partners in the task of saving souls.
The pastor must be creative in discovering tasks for them
to undertake.

19. It is unethical for a minister to "meddle" in the
affairs of a church after leaving its pastorate or to keep
up contacts which hamper the new pastor in winning the
hearts of his people. When a pastor leaves a church, he
should leave it.

20. The minister should give due attention to politeness,
neatness, and the refinements of life without being me-
chanical, exclusive or coldly formal.

21. It is unethical for a minister to speak ill of a fellow
minister, especially his predecessor or successor. It is
unethical for churches constantly to laud the good qualities
of former ministers.

22. The church should recognize that many demands
claim the time and energy of a minister. He should not
be expected to do the impossible. The minister must not
allow unworthy or unimportant interests to deprive the
church of his time and service.

23. The minister should consider that "work well done"

MINISTERIAL MATTERS 155

and duty faithfully discharged is in itself "partial recom-
pense for labor."

24. The minister and his people should show by their
own lives that the gospel which they proclaim "is the
power of God unto salvation."

II. Ministerial Placement and Policy

(Minutes of the Annual Conferences, 1923-1944, pages 121-125)
"A. General Recommendations

"1. Ministerial Tenure. We recommend that the church
be committed to the policy of the long pastorate believing
that it is productive of the greatest good both to the con-
gregation and the ministry. Wisdom should be exercised
by churches in calling pastors and by pastors in accepting
calls in order to avoid misfits. Pastoral changes should
be made with consideration and harmony.

"2. The Pastoral Term. We recommend that the pastoral
term be of indefinite duration and that the right to termi-
nate a pastorate by resignation be conceded to the min-
istry. There should be reasonable notice of a desire to
terminate a pastorate either by the minister or the con-
gregation. We suggest an advance notice of six months
unless a shorter time is mutually agreeable.

"3. Ministerial Placement and Transfer. The official
agency of the church for the placement and transfer of
pastors shall be the General Ministerial Board acting in
co-operation with the District Ministerial Boards and the
Pastoral Board of the local church.

"4. Extending a Pastoral Call. We recommend that the
local church create a Pastoral Board representative of
the working forces of the congregation, or designate an
existing board similarly constituted, which shall be the
official medium through which the congregation investi-
gates and negotiates with ministers nominated or recom-

156 MINISTER'S MANUAL

mended for pastoral services in the local church. When
such boards have agreed upon a minister for the pastorate
and the terms of his employment have been determined,
they should report the same to the church council in some
such form as the following: 'We, the Pastoral Board of

the congregation, having investigated

thoroughly the qualifications of Brother

and having reached a satisfactory agreement recommend
that he be called to the pastorate of this church, his serv-
ices to begin on , 19

'Signed

'Clerk of the Pastoral Board.'

Church councils for the consideration of such reports
should be publicly announced at least ten days in advance
and should be called for the purpose of accepting or re-
jecting the report of the Pastoral Board. Voting in such
councils should be by ballot and it should require at least
three fourths of the votes cast to adopt the report. The
adoption of such reports constitutes a pastoral call.

"5. Terminating a Pastorate. The minister may for
sufficient reason and of his own initiative terminate his
pastorate by resignation. The Pastoral Board of the
congregation, or the board designated to represent the
church in such matters, may for sufficient cause suggest
to the pastor the advisability of a pastoral change. In
such cases the pastor should have reasonable opportunity
for consultation with the District and General Ministerial
Boards and of proceeding to resign with the advice and
counsel of these boards. If the pastor does not see fit to
resign then the Pastoral Board or the corresponding board
should have the authority, if they feel that the best in-
terests of the work demand it, to call for a vote of the
congregation on the question of retaining the present
pastor. Councils for considering this question should be
called in the same manner as councils for extending a
pastoral call and the vote should be taken by ballot and

MINISTERIAL MATTERS 157

require a three-fourths majority of the votes cast to retain
the pastor.

"6. The Elder-Pastor Relationship. The elder of the con-
gregation should be considered its official head and should
preside at all church councils, especially when the pastoral
relationship is under consideration. He should be re-
garded as the chief counselor and adviser of the pastor
in all of his work. The pastor should be considered the
executive head of the church, the active leader in its
program and activities, its spiritual counselor and "shep-
herd of the flock." Where conditions seem to demand it
the church may elect the pastor as elder, but in such
cases a member of the District Ministerial Board should
preside in all council meetings when the pastoral rela-
tionship is under consideration.

"7. The Pastoral Year. We recommend that the pastoral
year begin September 1.

"B. Procedure in Vacancies and Appointments
"1. Pastoral Nominations. Congregations desiring to call
a pastor or change pastors, and ministers desiring to enter
pastoral service, transfer to a different field, or consider a
call which has been received from a new field, should
notify the General Ministerial Board, Elgin, Illinois, and
the District Ministerial Board concerned. Upon receipt
of such notices the General Board should be prepared to
submit nominations as promtly as is consistent with a
careful analysis of the needs of the church and the quali-
fications of available candidates. One or more nomina-
tions should be submitted at a time and this procedure
continued until a minister acceptable to both the district
and local boards has been discovered. It shall be under-
stood that the Pastoral Board of the local church has the
right, provided it shall first confer with the District and
General Ministerial Boards, to submit as a nomination the
name of any particular minister in whom the congrega-
tion is especially interested.

158 MINISTER'S MANUAL

"2. Adjustment of Pastoral Difficulties. The General
Ministerial Board with the concurrence of the District
Ministerial Board may make, or cause to be made, investi-
gations of congregations or pastors when conditions war-
rant such investigations. A congregation, or a minority
of the congregation, or the pastor, or the District Minis-
terial Board, may call upon the General Board for such
service where the welfare of a congregation is jeopardized
by division and discord. In all such cases when the work
of the General Ministerial Board is not satisfactory to
the local church the case is automatically appealed to the
elders of the district. This body may refer the case to the
Standing Committee, if in its judgment the situation de-
mands such procedure.

"The ideals embodied in our Code of Ethics for Minis-
ters and Congregations should be respected at all times.

"C. Duties of Ministerial Boards

"1. Local Pastoral Boards. We recommend that the Pas-
toral Board of the local church, or such board as may be
designated to serve in this capacity, be composed of repre-
sentatives of the working forces of the congregation. At
least the following groups should be represented: the
board of deacons, the Sunday school, the board of trustees,
the finance committee, the men's organization, the women's
organization, the young people's department and such
other groups as the church may consider advisable. This
board may create a smaller executive committee which
shall be directly responsible to the board itself. It shall
be understood that the Pastoral Board as a whole is re-
sponsible to the congregation and that pastoral calls and
transfers are subject to the action of the church council.
"The duties of the Pastoral Board shall be as follows:
"a. To represent the local church in the matter of pas-
toral relationships. It shall receive nominations for pas-
toral service, investigate candidates, carry on negotiations

MINISTERIAL MATTERS 159

with nominees, consider pastoral changes, receive resigna-
tions, agree upon terms of service and make recommenda-
tions to the church council.

"b. To represent the church in supplying the pulpit when
necessary and in securing evangelists, lecturers, special
instructors and such other service as has to do with the
pulpit service of the congregation.

"c. To serve as an advisory board to the pastor.

"d. To arrange for proper reception and installation of
new pastors.

"e. To educate the congregation in the ethics of pastoral
relationship and to maintain the ideals set forth in our
code of ethics for congregations and ministers.

"2. Duties of District Ministerial Boards

"a. To co-operate with the Pastoral Board of the local
church and the General Ministerial Board in the matter
of pastoral calls and transfers.

"b. To discover ministerial talent among the young
people of the district and lead them to consider the minis-
try of the church as their lifework in order that the church
may have an adequate ministerial supply.

"c. To license and install candidates into the ministry
with the approval of the local congregation.

"d. To ordain or arrange for the ordination of ministers
to the eldership upon the approval of the district and the
local congregation.

"e. To encourage and assist the churches of the district
in providing adequate pastoral care for their membership.

"f. To co-operate with pastoral boards in the proper in-
stallation of pastors, in the development and maintenance
of harmonious relationships between pastors and churches,
and in the education of churches in the ideals set forth in
our code of ethics.

"g. To keep in touch with the churches of the district in

160 MINISTER'S MANUAL

encouraging evangelism and support of the program of
the general brotherhood.

"h. To investigate and pass upon applications for min-
isterial relief from their respective districts.

"i. To co-operate with churches in adjusting difficulties
which may arise affecting ministers or pastors.

"j. To co-operate with the General Ministerial Board in
the annual survey of the churches, in keeping on file
proper records for the district, and in such other work as
may strengthen the ministry of the church.

"k. To analyze the annual reports and submit to the
ministers, pastors and boards of the district data with
reference to the trend, problems and progress of the con-
gregations of the district.

"3. Duties of the General Ministerial Board

"a. To supervise pastoral calls and transfers and outline
plans of procedure for the guidance of congregations and
ministers in regard to pastoral changes, and serve the
church as a nominating agent for pastoral vacancies.

"b. To maintain an office and general secretary at Elgin
through which the general work of the board shall be
done.

"c. To make an annual survey of the churches and keep
a careful file of data concerning congregations and min-
isters, and to provide Yearbook material concerning the
ministry and the churches of the brotherhood.

"d. To enrich the ministry of the church through con-
ferences and institutes and to maintain proper spiritual
and educational standards for those who would qualify
for the ministry of the church.

"e. To visit the districts of the regions in order to present
the program of the brotherhood and especially to inspire
and encourage the ministerial and other district boards in
their work.

MINISTERIAL MATTERS 161

"f. To build up within each region strong and effective
church programs and give every possible assistance to all
regional officers and committees in their work.

"g. To pass upon applications for ministerial relief in
co-operation with the General Mission Board.

"h. To co-operate with the General Education Board,
Bethany Biblical Seminary and our colleges, in giving
every possible assistance to promising young men during
their years of preparation for the ministry of the church.

"i. To co-operate with the General Mission Board in the
administration of the home mission program.

"j. To co-operate with the Board of Christian Education
in all problems relating to the local church which are
common to these boards.

"k. To investigate pastoral maladjustments and make
settlement of such problems in the most harmonious man-
ner possible."

III. Direction and Control of Evangelists

(Revised Minutes of the Annual Meeting, 1778-1922, pages 74 and 75)

"1. In the first place we recommend that less exclusive
reliance be placed upon the special revival for bringing
people into the church and that greater dependence be
placed: (1) Upon the religious training of our children
in the home; (2) Upon the organization of religious edu-
cation; (3) Upon personal and pastoral evangelism, and
(4) Upon the wiser and fuller organization of the entire
membership of the church for bringing men to Christ.

"2. We urge a high standard of character and ability for
evangelists — reality of Christian experience, in consecra-
tion, evangelical faith, love for souls, and unquestioned
faithfulness to the church and her principles.

"3. Each District Ministerial Board shall prepare a list
of available men of such qualifications and furnish infor-

162 MINISTER'S MANUAL

mation and advice to local churches, seeking the services
of an evangelist.

"4. Local churches should exercise proper care and wis-
dom in choosing and co-operating with evangelists.

"Let the official board or special committee either se-
lect from the list approved and furnished by the District
Ministerial Board, or submit their own choice to the
Ministerial Board for approval. This choice should then
be submitted to the voice of the church.

"Upon the arrival of the evangelist, there should be a
meeting of the official board of the church with the evan-
gelist to arrange for the fullest co-operation of the entire
church and to pray together for the success of the meet-
ings.

"The elder in charge, or the pastor, in consultation with
the elder, shall have charge of instruction of applicants
for church membership.

"5. In case of misconduct or irregularity, on the part of
the evangelist, the pastor, elder and official board should
labor with him to rectify such mistake and to insure the
success of the meetings.

"If the matter be of sufficient gravity, the case should
be reported by them to their District Ministerial Board.

"Should the Ministerial Board fail to reach an adjust-
ment, the case shall be referred by them in writing to the
elders of the District in which the evangelist lives.

"If necessary, the elders of the District may refer the
case to Standing Committee of General Conference.

"6. By the adoption of this report any former decisions
in conflict with the provisions here made are repealed."

CHAPTER FIVE

HELPS FOR PASTORS*

I. Worship Helps
A. The Technique oj Worship (Isaiah 6: 1-9)

1. Vision, verse 1. "I saw the Lord." If we are to
worship we need to see the Lord, high and lifted up.
We need to appreciate his greatness, his holiness and
his love for us. Open your eyes, your mind, your
heart, to his presence within and about you.

2. Humility, verse 5. "Woe is me." After we have
seen the Lord, our second step in the act of worship is
humility. We have all sinned. We will receive God's
blessing only when we humble ourselves before him.
Pride must be put away. "Woe is me; I am a man of
unclean lips" is the approach of a penitent sinner to
God. It will always find a response. When we con-
fess, God is waiting to bless.

3. Vitality, verse 7. "Thy sin is forgiven." The
third step in worship is vitality, a sense of forgive-
ness. A coal from the altar of God touches our lips
and cleanses our lives. This comes as a result of peni-
tence and humble confession of sin. Then comes a
feeling of oneness with God which gives us power

•Material supplied by Howard H. Keim. Jr. The worship programs
were recently used in Church of the Brethren congregations.

164 MINISTER'S MANUAL

and grace and poise. It does not happen apart from
prayer. It may come through Scripture, hymn, and
sermon.

4. Dedication, verse 8. "Here am I; send me." The
concluding act of worship is dedication. We answer
God's call for workers, as Isaiah did. This can be
done partly in the offering and partly in a personal
dedication during the closing moments of worship.
Without this step the rest fall flat and meaningless.
The illumination which we have received must shine
out from redeemed lives or be forever lost. This is
the point of greatest danger. We must be obedient to
the truth God gives us today, or we will have less
truth tomorrow. Faith must be put into good works
or it is dead. God calls. Will we answer?

B. The Place of Worship

Let it be beautiful in its simplicity. Remove every-
thing from the sanctuary which detracts. Do not clut-
ter it up with things which in themselves may be
good but which lead the mind of the worshiper away
from God. When the worshiper enters the sanctuary
his eye should be drawn to the center of worship,
an altar, an open Bible, a cross, two candles, a
service cup, or a compelling picture. Flags, pen-
nants, charts, record boards, clocks and all such para-
phernalia belong somewhere else than at or near the
center of worship.

God will reveal himself to the worshiper if he has

HELPS FOR PASTORS 165

a chance. Do not smother his divine presence with
stuff!

C. The Call to Worship

The time is coming, it has come already, when the
real worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit
and in reality; for these are the worshippers that the
Father wants. God is Spirit, and his worshippers
must worship him in Spirit and in reality. — John 4:
23-24 (Moffatt)

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all his benefits.

—Psalm 103: 1-2

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn un-
to the Lord;

And all the kindreds of the nations shall worship be-
fore thee.

For the kingdom is the Lord's;

And he is the ruler over the nations.

—Psalm 22: 27-28

O come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker:
For he is our God,

And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of
his hand.

—Psalm 95: 6-7

166 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my

heart
Be acceptable in thy sight,
O Lord, my rock, and my redeemer.

—Psalm 19: 14

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found;

Call ye upon him while he is near:

Let the wicked forsake his way,

And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

And let him return unto the Lord,

And he will have mercy upon him;

And to our God,

For he will abundantly pardon.

—Isaiah 55: 6-7

Come unto me,

All ye that labor and are heavy laden,

And I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;

For I am meek and lowly in heart:

And ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy,

And my burden is light.

—Matthew 11: 28-30

Serve the Lord with gladness:
Come before his presence with singing.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
And into his courts with praise:

HELPS FOR PASTORS 167

For the Lord is good; his lovingkindness endureth

for ever,
And his faithfulness unto all generations.

—Psalm 100: 2, 4-5

I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go unto the house of the Lord.

—Psalm 122: 1

I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains:
From whence shall my help come?
My help cometh from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

—Psalm 121: 1-2

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good;
For his lovingkindness endureth forever.
Oh that men would praise the Lord for his loving-
kindness,
And for his wonderful works to the children of men.

—Psalm 107: 1, 8

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart;
Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood,
And hath not sworn deceitfully.

—Psalm 24: 3-4

Behold, I stand at the door and knock:

If any man hear my voice and open the door,

168 MINISTER'S MANUAL

I will come in to him and will sup with him,
And he with me [saith the Master].

—Revelation 3: 20

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
He will fulfil the desire of them that reverence him;
He also will hear their cry and will save them.

—Psalm 145: 18-19

O sing unto the Lord a new song:

Sing unto the Lord, all the earth.

Sing unto the Lord, bless his name;

Show forth his salvation from day to day.

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.

—Psalm 96: 1-2, 4

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord,
And to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High;
To show forth thy lovingkindness in the morning,
And thy faithfulness every night.

—Psalm 92: 1-2

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

Yea, lift them up, ye everlasting doors:

And the King of glory will come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord of hosts,

He is the King of glory.

—Psalm 24: 9-10

HELPS FOR PASTORS 169

Truly, truly I tell you, unless one is born of water
and the Spirit, he cannot enter God's Realm. What is
born of the flesh is flesh: what is born of the Spirit is
Spirit. Do not wonder at me telling you, 'You must
be born from above.' The wind blows where it wills;
you can hear its sound, but you never know where
it has come from or where it goes: it is the same with
everyone who is born of the Spirit.

—John 3: 5-8 (Moffatt)

Praise ye the Lord.

Sing unto the Lord a new song,

And his praise in the assembly of the saints.

Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Let them sing praises unto him with timbrel and

harp.
For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people:
He will beautify the meek with salvation.
Let the saints exult in glory:

Let the high praise of the Lord be in their mouth.
Praise ye the Lord.

—Psalm 149: 1-6, 9c

[Jesus said] Where two or three are gathered to-
gether in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

—Matthew 18: 20

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head . . .
As the dew of Hermon,

170 MINISTER'S MANUAL

That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion:
For there the Lord commanded the blessing,
Even life for evermore.

—Psalm 133: l-2a, 3

Let the righteous be glad;

Let them exult before God:

Yea, let them rejoice with gladness.

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily beareth our burden.

Even the God who is our salvation.

—Psalm 68: 3-4, 19

Praise ye the Lord.

I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole

heart,
In the council of the upright, and in the congregation.
The works of the Lord are great,
Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
His work is honor and majesty;
And his righteousness endureth forever.

—Psalm 111: 1-3

Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion;
And unto thee shall the vow be performed.
O thou that hearest prayer,
Unto thee shall all flesh come.

—Psalm 65: 1-2

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest

to approach unto thee,
That he may dwell in thy courts;

HELPS FOR PASTORS 171

We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house,
Thy holy temple.

—Psalm 65: 4

Make a joyous shout to God, all the earth;
Praise the glory of his name;
Make his praise glorious!
Say to God: ."How wonderful is thy work!
All the earth worships thee,

And sings praises to thee, singing the praise of thy
name.

—Psalm 66: 1-4 (Smith-Goodspeed)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fort-
ress;
My God, in whom I trust.

—Psalm 91: 1-2

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,
And he shall strengthen thine heart:
Wait, I say, on the Lord.

—Psalm 27: 14

How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of

the Lord:
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house:
They will be still praising thee.

—Psalm 84: 1-2, 4

172 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Praise ye the Lord; for it is good to sing praises unto

our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is comely.
The Lord healeth the broken in heart,
And bindeth up their wounds.
His understanding is infinite.
The Lord upholdeth the meek.

—Psalm 147: 1, 3, 5-6

Praise ye the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary:

Praise him in the firmament of his power.

Praise him for his mighty acts:

Praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.

Praise ye the Lord.

—Psalm 150: 1-2, 6

For Special Days

Christmas

Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which
shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this
day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the
Lord.— Luke 2: 10b-ll

Faster

Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the
firstfruits of them that slept. Thanks be unto God
who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus
Christ.— 1 Corinthians 15: 20, 57

HELPS FOR PASTORS 173

Pentecost

And it shall be in the last days, saith God,

I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh:

And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

And your young men shall see visions,

And your old men shall dream dreams:

Yea, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in

those days
Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall

prophesy.
And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name

of the Lord shall be saved.

—Acts 2: 17-18, 21; cf. Joel 2: 28ff.

Children's Day

And the people brought children to him to have
him touch them, but the disciples reproved them for
it. When Jesus saw it, he was indignant, and said to
them, "Let the children come to me; do not try to stop
them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as they.
I tell you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of
God like a child shall not enter it at all." — Mark 10:
13-15 (Goodspeed)

Harvest

[The Lord said] I will never again curse the soil
because of man, though the bent of Man's mind may
be evil from his very youth; as long as the earth en-
dures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer

174 MINISTER'S MANUAL

and winter, day and night, shall never cease. — Gen-
esis 8: 21-22

D. The Offertory Sentence

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,
pressed down, shaken together, running over. . . .
For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured
to you again. — Luke 6: 38

Honour the Lord with thy substance,

And with the firstfruits of all thine increase.

— Proverbs 3: 9

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof;
The world, and they that dwell therein.

—Psalm 24: 1

What doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world,
and forfeit his life?— Mark 8: 36

On the first day of the week let each of you put
aside a sum from his weekly gains. — 1 Corinthians
16: 2 (Moffatt)

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the
blessing of the Lord thy God. — Deuteronomy 16: 17

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he
himself said, It is more blessed to give than to re-
ceive.— Acts 20: 35

Let each man give according as he hath purposed
in his heart; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God
loveth a cheerful giver. — 2 Corinthians 9: 7

HELPS FOR PASTORS 175

He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bounti-
fully.— 2 Corinthians 9: 6

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all his benefits.

—Psalm 103: 1-2

What shall I render unto the Lord
For all his benefits toward me?
I will pay my vows unto the Lord,
Yea, in the presence of all his people.

—Psalm 116: 12, 14

Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetous-
ness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance
of the things which he possesseth. — Luke 12: 15

Of every man whose heart maketh him willing ye
shall take my offering. — Exodus 25: 2

Take ye from among you an offering unto the
Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring
it, the Lord's offering. — Exodus 35: 5

Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for it is he
that giveth thee power to get wealth. — Deuteronomy
8: 18

176 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God:
Let all that are round about him bring presents unto
him that ought to be reverenced.

—Psalm 76: 11

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name:
Bring an offering and come into his courts.

worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
Fear before him, all the earth.

—Psalm 96: 8-9

1 will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows unto the Lord,
Yea, in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the Lord's house.

—Psalm 116: 17-19

There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more;
And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but

it tendeth only to want.
The liberal soul shall be made fat.
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall.

—Proverbs 11: 24-25, 28

Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house, . . .
And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts,
If I will not open you the windows of heaven,
And pour you out a blessing,

That there shall not be room enough to receive it.

— Malachi 3: 10

HFLPS FOR PASTORS 177

Lay not up for yoursel v es treasures upon the earth,
where moth and rust consume, and where thieves
break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
doth consume, and where thieves do not break
through nor steal: for where thy treasure is, there
will thy heart be also. — Matthew 6: 19-21

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall
find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for ev-
ery one that asketh receiveth: and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
—Matthew 7: 7-8

The King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I
say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these
a my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me. —
Matthew 25: 40

¥

As ye abound in everything, in. faith, and utterance,
and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your
love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. — 2
Corinthians 8: 7

28 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he be-
. came poor, that ye through his poverty might become
io* rich. — 2 Corinthians 8: 9

God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that
., ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may
<i abound unto every good work. — 2 Corinthians 9: 8

178 MINISTER'S MANUAL

As every man hath received the gift, even so min-
ister the same one to another, as good stewards of
the manifold grace of God. — 1 Peter 4: 10

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good
pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that which
ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses
which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that
faileth not.— Luke 12: 32-33

E. The Benediction

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of
God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with
you all. Amen. — 2 Corinthians 13: 14

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be

gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give

thee peace. Amen.

—Numbers 6: 24-26

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abun-
dantly above all that we ask or think, according to
the power that worketh in us, unto him be the glory
in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations
for ever and ever. Amen. — Ephesians 3: 20-21

Now unto him that is able to guard you from stum-
bling, and to set you before the presence of his glory
without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God

HELPS FOR PASTORS 179

our Father, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, be
glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time,
and now, and evermore. Amen. — Jude 24-25

Now the God of peace who brought again from the
dead the great shepherd of the sheep, even our Lord
Jesus, with the blood of an eternal covenant, make
you perfect in every good thing to do his will, work-
ing in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory forever
and ever. Amen. — Hebrews 13: 20-21

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your
spirit. Amen. — Philippians 4: 23

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the
only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.— 1 Timothy 1: 17

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the
power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. — Romans 15: 13

And the peace of God, which passeth all under-
standing, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts
in Christ Jesus. Amen. — Philippians 4: 7

The Lord watch between me and thee, when we
are absent one from another. Amen. — Genesis 31: 49

Now unto him who is able to establish you accord-
ing to the Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery which

180 MINISTER'S MANUAL

hath been kept in silence through times eternal, but
now is manifested by the prophetic scriptures, by
commandment of the eternal God, and is made known
unto all the nations unto obedience and faith; to the
only wise God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be
glory for ever and ever. Amen. — Romans 16: 25-27

F. The Order of Worship

A
Prelude

Processional: Jerusalem the Golden 469

Invocation

Announcements

Hymn: Come, We That Love the Lord 287

Reading of the Scripture: Matthew 26: 20-21; John 13:
22-35

Hymn: Faith of Our Fathers 322

Pastoral Prayer

Choral Response: Hear Our Prayer, O Lord

Dedication of Tithes and Brethren Service Offering
"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good
pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Sell that which ye
have and give alms; make for yourselves purses that
wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth
not."— Luke 12: 32-33

Offertory by the Choir 355

Anthem: The Earth Is the Lord's

Sermon: The Lord's Supper-

Hymn: O Blessed Son of God 341

Benediction

Postlude: God Be With You

HELPS FOR PASTORS 181

B

Prelude Piano

Processional Clergy

Call to Worship

Hymn: Jesus Shall Reign 400

Hymn: Tell Me the Old, Old Story 161

Scripture Meditation: Ephesians 3: 1-21

Response: Bread of Life (verse 1) 129

Morning Prayer

Hymn: Awake, My Soul 216

Announcements

Offertory Meditation

Presentation of Tithes and Offering

Offertory Prayer

Special Music: The Savior for Me

Sermon: The Limitless Love of God

Hymnic Response (to be selected)

Prayer and Benediction

C

Prelude and Silent Prayer

Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy (first verse) 17

Call to Worship: From the rising of the sun, to the going
down of the same, the Lord's name is to be praised.
Let our prayers be set forth before thee as incense,
and the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice.

Invocation

Doxology

Hymn: For Christ and the Church 324

Scripture: Responsive Reading No. 6

Hymn: Savior, Teach Me Day by Day 276

Offering

Hymn: Holy Ghost, With Light Divine 171

Prayer

Response: Let the Words 490

Hymn: I Know I Love Thee Better, Lord 283

Sermon: Giving Our Best in the New Year

182 MINISTER'S MANUAL

Hymn: O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee 342

Benediction

Gloria Patri

D

Organ Prelude

Week's Program for the Church

Hymn: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee 91

Hymn: Sweet Hour of Prayer 44

Responsive Reading No. 22

O Lamb of God, I Come Choir

Prayer

Hymn: We Are Saved by the Grace of Our God 291

Offertory

Sermon: Christ's Way of Peace

Hymn: In Christ There Is No East or West 362

Benediction

Silent Prayer Organ

E

Instrumental Prelude
Announcements

Call to Worship Choir and Congregation

"The Lord is in his holy temple:

Let all the earth keep silence,

Keep silence before him. Amen."
Invocation The Pastor

Hymn: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee 91

Reading of God's Word: Deuteronomy 8
Hymn: With Thankful Hearts, O Lord 423

Pastoral Prayer

Choral Response: Bring Us Peace The Choir

Anthem: Sons of Praise, Awake The Choir

Sermon: An Epilogue to Thanksgiving in a Difficult Year

The Pastor
Offering
Prayer of Consecration

HELPS FOR PASTORS 183

Benediction
Moment of Silence

Response: God Be With You

Congregation

Instrumental Postlude

F

Prelude

Opening Hymn

4

Invocation

Choral Response

490

Hymn

301

Meditation (piano only)

43

Scripture Lesson: John 15:1-15

Hymn

294

Pastoral Prayer (people kneeling)

Hymn

289

Announcements

Offertory

The Choir

Worship in Tithes and Offerings

Special Hymn

Sermon: Joy in Living

Benediction

Gloria Patri

G

Announcements

Hymn: Come, Thou Almighty King 1

Hymn: Sweet Hour of Prayer 44

* Morning Prayer

Hymn: Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine 285

Scripture

Offertory

Hymn: O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee 342

Sermon: Fair Play The Pastor

♦Benediction

*Postlude

(♦Congregation standing)

184 MINISTER'S MANUAL

H

The Organ Prelude: Prelude G. Merkel

The Doxology

The Invocation and Choir Response

A Hymn: All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name 159

Kingdom News

A Hymn: Immortal Love, Forever Full 117

The Morning Prayer

The Scripture Meditation: Matthew 7: 24-29

The Offertory: Romance MacDowell

The Choral Anthem: Blessed Are the Men Who Fear Him

The Sermon: A Wise Man and a Foolish Man

A Hymn: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less 274

The Benediction

The Organ Postlude: March Ganne

I
Piano Prelude

Call to Worship

•Hymn: O Could I Speak 114

•Invocation

Hymn: Breathe Upon Us 169

Scripture:Colossians 1: 1-29

Prayer

Hymn: Take My Hand 254

Presentation of Gifts

♦Hymn: All Things Come of Thee 492

♦Consecration Prayer

Worship in Music

Sermon: Growing in Christian Perfection
•Hymn: More Like Thee 223

♦Benediction
♦The Doxology

(•Congregation standing)

HELPS FOR PASTORS 185

J

Prelude

Processional Hymn (verses 1, 3) 94

Call to Worship

Gloria Patri Congregation and Choir

Invocation

Response No. 492: All Things Come of Thee, O Lord

Hymn: I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord 191

Scripture: Matthew 8: 18-27

Pastoral Prayer

Anthem: Lauda Anima Choir

Announcements

Offertory

Offering

Hymn: The Church's One Foundation 185

Sermon: Why the Church?

Closing Prayer

Recessional Hymn (two stanzas) 336

Benediction and Choral Amen

Meditation and Dismissal

K
Prelude

Hymn: Come, Thou Almighty King 1

Responsive Reading No. 36: True Worship

Hymn: O Worship the King 2

Morning Prayer

Giving of Morning Offerings Piano

(Brethren service offering in envelopes)
Vocal Solo: Bless Thou, O God, This Day
Sermon: Persistent Prayer

Hymn (to be selected)

Benediction
Postlude

186 MINISTER'S MANUAL

II. The Christian Year

The systematic planning of a church year by an in-
creasing number of churches is a hopeful sign. The
Church Calendar issued in recent years by the Elgin staff
has brought a good response, and is an evidence that many
of our ministers emphasize great Christian truths on cer-
tain days. Such a procedure gives unity and strength. It
is a splendid way to avoid ruts, and helps to make certain
that worthy themes receive a just hearing.

It is a source of encouragement and inspiration to any
minister to know that on a certain Sunday the great
majority of the ministers of the church are preaching on
The World-wide Mission of the Church, for example.
It would be even more significant if all denominations
used the same theme on the same Sunday. Easter Sunday
is perhaps the mountaintop experience in the church, both
from the standpoint of attendance and spiritual achieve-
ment. One reason is that it is observed by all churches
on the same day. A great theme and a great occasion
have much to do with making great sermons, great music,
and helpful worship. Other days should be lifted out
of the routine and commonplace into which they have
fallen.

The Christian year lifts the burden of what to preach.
The man and the occasion make the sermon. Lincoln
and Gettysburg made the Gettysburg address.

The free churches, such as our own, will not likely
choose to go as far as the liturgical churches. Such words
in the Christian year as Epiphany, Whitsuntide and King-
domtide seem foreign to our thinking. Though they have
much more meaning than many realize, yet there are
dangers of formalism in that direction. However, pastors
who have no plans for certain periods are in danger of
a formalism that centers in their own hobbies and weak-
nesses. The Christian message is varied and rich in con-

HELPS FOR PASTORS 187

tent and spirit. No mind can hope to encompass it. The
collective Christian mind can come much nearer the mind
of Christ.

Some Outstanding Christian Festivals

Bible Sunday — The first or second Sunday of December.

Christmas Sunday — the Sunday nearest Christmas. For
liturgical churches, it is the Sunday following Christmas
day.

Race Relations Day — the Sunday nearest February 12 (Lin-
coln's birthday).

Brotherhood Day — the Sunday nearest February 22 (Wash-
ington's birthday).

World Day of Prayer — the first Friday in Lent.

Day of Prayer for Students — the third Sunday in February.

Stewardship Day — the fourth or some other Sunday in
Lent.

Easter Sunday — the first Sunday after the first full moon
after March 21.

Rural Life Sunday — the fifth Sunday after Easter.

Festival of the Christian Home — the second Sunday in May
(instead of Mother's Day).

Pentecost — fifty days after Easter.

Children's Day — the second Sunday in June.

Nature Sunday — the last Sunday in June.

Labor Sunday — the Sunday before Labor Day.

World Temperance Day — the Sunday nearest the first day
of November.

World Peace Sunday— the Sunday before Armistice Day,
November 11.

Thanksgiving Sunday — the Sunday before Thanksgiving
Day.

188 MINISTER'S MANUAL

The Church of the Brethren has her own special days,
such as: Conference Sunday, achievement offering day,
education day, and Bethany Seminary day.

III. Historical Statement

I. Early High Lights

1679. Birth of Alexander Mack at Schriesheim, Germany.
1708. Founding of church by Alexander Mack and seven

others at Schwarzenau, Germany.
1715-20. Intense persecution.
1719. Peter Becker at head of twenty families arrived at

Philadelphia, Pa.

1723. First love feast in America held on Christmas Eve.

1724. First organized mission work in America.

1729. Alexander Mack and party arrived in Philadelphia

Sept. 15.
1735. Death of Alexander Mack, on Feb. 19.
1738. First Sunday school in America and probably in the

world was held by Brethren at Germantown.
1732. First Annual Conference at the home of Eld. Martin

Urner.
1748. Alexander Mack, Jr., and Christopher Sower, Jr.,

called to the eldership.
1758. Death of Christopher Sower, Sr., on Sept. 25.
1770. First Brethren meetinghouse in America built near

Germantown, Pa.

2. Brethren Literature

a. General Literature

1713. Alexander Mack at Schwarzenau published A Plain
View of Rites and Ordinances of the House of God
and Answers to Gruber's Thirty-Nine Questions,

HELPS FOR PASTORS 189

1739. Christopher Sower, Sr., published the first German
Almanac and the first German newspaper of Amer-
ica. By 1751 its circulation had reached 4,000.

1739-1758. Over 200 works came from the press of Chris-
topher Sower, Sr.

1743. Christopher Sower, Sr., published the first Bible in
a European tongue to be printed in America.

1763. The second edition of the Sower Bible and America's
first religious paper, Geistliche Magazin, were pub-
lished by Christopher Sower, Jr.

1776. Third edition of the Sower Bible.

1791. First hymnbook by the Germans published in Eng-
lish by Christopher Sower, Jr.

1851. On April 1 the first number of the Gospel Visitor
(monthly) printed at Poland, Ohio, by Henry Kurtz.

1864 or 1865. The Christian Family Companion, a weekly,
was published by H. R. Holsinger.

1870. The Pilgrim, a weekly by H. B. and J. B. Brum-
baugh, made its appearance.

1873. James Quinter purchased Henry Kurtz' interest in
the Gospel Visitor and H. R. Holsinger's interest in
the Christian Family Companion. He united the
two in the Primitive Christian.

1876. The Brethren at Work began at Lanark, 111., with
J. H. Moore, J. T. Myers, and M. M. Eshelman as
editors.

1883. The Gospel Messenger began its long and honorable
history by the union of the Brethren at Work and
the Primitive Christian.

1897. Brethren Publishing Company became the property
of the Church of the Brethren under the name of
Brethren Publishing House.

b. Sunday-school Literature.

1870. The Pious Youth, a sixteen page weekly, was pub-
lished by H. R. Holsinger.

190 MINISTER'S MANUAL

1876. The Young Disciple was published. It was followed
by Our Boys and Girls.

1878. Children at Work and Youths' Advance were two
juvenile papers edited by J. H. Moore of Lanark,
111. Children at Work was changed to Our Children
in 1932.

1879. Children at Work was combined with Our Sunday
School, which had first been published by S. Z. Sharp
at Ashland, Ohio.

1898. The Inglenook, which began as the Pilot, was pub-
lished until 1913. Howard Miller became editor
when the name was changed in 1900.

1905. Marks the beginning of Our Young People and Our
Boys and Girls.

1879. The Brethren's Quarterly began with S. Z. Sharp as
editor. Since 1885 it has been published continu-
ously.

1891. The Brethren Juvenile Quarterly published.

1902-06. Brethren Primary Teachers' Quarterly published.

1907. The Brethren Teachers' Monthly first published.

1916. Primary and Junior Quarterlies first published.

1917. The Home Department Quarterly first appeared.

1918. The Intermediate Quarterly first published.

3. Education Development

1851. With the renaissance of the publishing interests of
the church, the soil began to be prepared for an
educational institution. Henry Kurtz and James
Quinter, editors of the Gospel Visitor, favored a
school.

1861. April 1, Kishacoquillas Seminary, 12 miles southeast
of Huntingdon, Pa., was opened by S. Z. Sharp.

1861. October 14. Another school was opened by James
Quinter, at New Vienna, Ohio.

HELPS FOR PASTORS 191

1870. Northern Indiana was the first district to decide to
establish a first-class college. A school was opened
at Bourbon in the fall.

1876. Juniata College was founded.

1879. Mount Morris College was purchased by Brethren.
It was combined with Manchester and McPherson
Colleges in 1932.

1880. Bridgewater College had its beginning in the Spring
Creek Normal.

1887. McPherson College had its beginning at the Annual
Meeting which convened at Ottawa, Kansas.

1890. Daleville began as a select school. It is now a part
of the Bridgewater-Daleville system.

1891. La Verne College, formerly called Lordsburg, opened
its doors.

1895. Manchester College was purchased from the United
Brethren.

1899. Blue Ridge College, first known as Maryland Col-
legiate Institute, was started by the Eastern District
of Maryland.

1900. Elizabethtown College began.

1905. Bethany Biblical Seminary, formerly known as
Bethany Bible School, was founded in Chicago.

4. Growth of Interest in Foreign Missions

1875. November 12, Northern Illinois voted to send
Christian Hope to Denmark. Hope and family sailed
for Denmark January, 1876.

1880. Annual Conference appointed a Domestic and For-
eign Mission Board.

1885. First Missionary Convocation was held at Annual
Conference.

1894. The India Mission began. W. B. Stover and wife
and Bertha Ryan were the first missionaries.

192 MINISTER'S MANUAL

1908. Conference adopted General Mission Board of the

Church of the Brethren and dropped General Mis-
sionary and Tract Committee.
1908. China became our mission field with F. H. Crum-

packer and wife, Geo. H. Hilton and wife, and Emma

Horning, the first missionaries.
1908. Bicentennial Conference at Des Moines, Iowa,

adopted Church of the Brethren as the official name

for the church.
1890-1919. Annual Conference offerings grew from $224.30

to $150,000.
1918-1922. Armenian and Syrian Relief funds amounted to

$270,184.77.
1919. The Becker Bicentennial Conference saw thirty-two

missionaries appointed, more than twice as many as

in the previous year.
1922. H. Stover Kulp and A. D. Helser sent as missionaries

to Africa.

1937. The church began a significant war relief program
in China and Spain.

1937. Dec. 3, three China missionaries were lost: Alva
Harsh and wife and Minneva Neher.

1943. Last missionaries left internment camp in China for I

America. 1

1945. November, General Mission Board opened new field '
in Ecuador, South America. '

L

1946. January 1, the church in India given full responsi- ,
bility for promoting our work in India. „

1946. February 28, all-time high reached by church in con- «
tributing total of $1,537,603 to total brotherhood c
work. ;.

1946. China missionaries return to mission work. tb

1946. June, J. Benton and Ruby Frantz Rhoades became th

our first missionaries to Ecuador. te

r«

HELPS FOR PASTORS 193

5. General Conditions

Following the Thirty Years' War, or in 1649, the
Felbinger New Testament was printed in Amsterdam.
This was a small cheap German Testament, which could
be owned by the common people. Many of these Testa-
ments were purchased. The New Testament in the hands
of the common people produced the pietistic movement in
Germany; This large response led to a great reform
movement. The Church of the Brethren was one result
of that spiritual awakening. The leader was Alexander
Mack, educated at Halle University under Francke. He
came from the middle class and had considerable wealth,
but gave it for needy, persecuted pietists.

The church was born out of Bible study and prayer.
"They went to the source of authority and established
apostolic Christianity, in contrast to worldly, formal state
churches from which they were driven. They made no
human creed. They felt they were not wise enough to
make a creed. They adopted the New Testament as their
'rule of faith and practice.' " — D. W. Kurtz.

The church has been known by different names. In 1836
Conference decided on "Fraternity of German Baptist" as
the official title. The late J. H. Moore said in the Gospel
Messenger, May 12, 1891, "Any one who will take the
time to examine our legal documents will be amazed at
the confusion existing among deeds, endowment notes,
bequests, incorporation papers, etc, etc. They will find
'German Baptist,' 'German Baptist Brethren,' 'Brethren,'
'Brethren or Dunkards,' 'Brethren or Tunkers,' 'Dunkards,'
'Tunkers,' 'Dunkard Brethren,' and 'Tunker Brethren.' "
Official documents of national organizations at this period
reveal that "The German Baptist Brethren Church" was
the name most often used. To the general public the
church has often been known by the nickname Dunkard,
derived from a German word meaning to dip, which is
somewhat expressive of the manner of baptism. "Brethren"

194 MINISTER'S MANUAL

seems to have always been the favorite among the mem-
bers. At the Annual Conference of 1908, "Church of the
Brethren" became the official name. The Brethren took
their clue from Matthew 23: 8, which reads: "But be not
ye called Rabbi: for one is your teacher, and all ye are
brethren."

The Brethren found in the New Testament certain ideals
which they considered basic to the Christian life. The
church has always been known for faithful adherence to
the great principles of peace, temperance, purity, honesty,
brotherhood, and the simple life.

6. Brethren Books
Biography

Alexander Mack the Tunker Ankrum

Anna Elizabeth Long

Anna Elizabeth, Seventeen Long

Christopher Sower and Son Brandt

H. C. Early — Christian Statesman Flory

Meet Henry Kurtz Brandt

Devotional

Heritage of Devotion Grisso

Scenes from the Psalms Brandt

Studies in Doctrine and Devotion ...... Kurtz, Blough, Ellis

Take Heart Hoff

Doctrinal

Anointing for Healing Bowman

Basic Belief Frantz

Church of the Brethren and War Bowman

Seventy Times Seven Bowman

SnowBall Comes to the Early Family Bittinger

Histories — General

Cultural Changes in the Church of the Brethren Dove

Fifty Years In India Mow

A History of the Church of the Brethren Brumbaugh

HELPS FOR PASTORS 195

History of the German Baptist Brethren Church

Falkenstein

History of the Tunkers and the Brethren Church

Holsinger

History and Doctrine of the Church of the Brethren

Winger
Literary Activity of the Brethren in the Eighteenth

Century Flory

Stories from Brethren Life Miller

Story of Our Church Miller

Two Centuries of the Church of the Brethren

Settlement of the Brethren on the Pacific Slope Muir

Histories — District

History of the Brethren in Kansas E. L. Craik

A History of the Brethren in Virginia D. H. Zigler

A History of the Brethren in Texas and Oklahoma

J. H. Morris

A History of the Church of the Brethren in Northeastern
Ohio T. S. Moherman, Editor

History of the Brethren in Western Pennsylvania

Jerome E. Blough

History of the Brethren in the Middle District of Penn-
sylvania, James A. Sell, George S. Myers, Wm. S. Ritchey

History of the Brethren in Eastern Pennsylvania

S. R. Zug, Chairman of Committee

History of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana

Otho Winger

A History of the Church of the Brethren in Southern . .
Iowa Willis P. Rodabaugh, A. H. Hoover

History of the Church of the Brethren of Southern Dis-
trict of Ohio Historical Committee

(John Calvin Bright, L. A. Bookwalter, Jesse O.
Garst, D. M. Garver, I. J. Rosenberger)

196 MINISTER'S MANUAL

History of the Church of the Brethren in Maryland

J. M. Henry

A History of the Church of the Brethren in the First
District of West Virginia Foster M. Bittinger

The Church of the Brethren in Michigan. .Walter M. Young

Personal Counseling

Counseling with Couples Before Marriage Bowman

Home Builders of Tomorrow Bowman

Recreation

Let's Go Camping Peters

Social Recreation Primer Tully

Sermons and Addresses

The Gospel of Jesus Kurtz

The Mastery of the Master Miller

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