A Pilgrimage of Faith: The Mennonite Brethren Church in Russia and North America, 1860-1990It is now [1990] one hundred and thirty years since the birth of the Mennonite Brethren Church and therefore time for someone in that church to take a backward glance to see how things have developed. Who better to do this John B. Toews. His life spans well over half of those years and he has experienced much of what he writes. "JB" as he is affectionately known by both students and colleagues is a patriarchal figure in the Mennonite Brethren Church. Born in Ukraine, the Russian Revolution and its aftermath were the crucible that shaped his youth and young adult years. After studying in Western Europe, Toews immigrated to Canada in the late 1920s. Much of his life has been in Mennonite Brethren educational institutions in Canada and the United States. During ten years as Executive Secretary of the Mennonite Brethren Board of Missions he traveled widely and came to know Mennonite Brethren people around the world. In between educational and mission administrative responsibilities he pastored in Kansas and California. After retiring from the presidency of the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary he became the founding Director of the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Church.
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From inside the book
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... means all Mennonites here ] ; and behold , it is even worse than the departed brethren describe it [ in the secession document of the Brethren ] . There is no fear of God , no faithfulness or honesty in the land , everyone must beware 5 ...
... mean- ing of salvation helped them restore the historic Anabaptist linkage of inward renewal with membership in the corporate body of believers . Myron Augsburger's mid - twentieth century statement that for the Anabaptists conversion ...
... means of grace through which the Holy Spirit accom- plished his work in the redeemed community was the Word of God , obedience in baptism , the fellowship of communion , and prayer . The dependence on these means of grace ac- counted ...
... means . In retrospect one recognizes elements of legalism , a possible reaction to the old church where such evidences were not a condition for church membership . The dogmatic emphasis of the 36 A PILGRIMAGE OF FAITH.
... Mean- while the church must keep in mind that the minister who leads well is worthy of double honor . ' 3. The corporate church body , not merely a few mem- bers , was responsible for the discipline of members of the church ( and the ...