Fall 1985 · Vol. 14 No. 2 · pp. 25–42
Mennonite Brethren Church Membership Profile, 1972-1982, Chapter 3
The Mennonite Brethren church in North America does not exist in a vacuum. It has developed in the context of social and historical influences. Our concern in this chapter is to describe some ways in which such factors as location of residence, sex, marital status, age, education, occupation, income and mobility may have influenced the way Mennonite Brethren responded to questions in the survey.
If the Mennonite Brethren churches were entirely homogeneous, it would make no difference on scale scores whether an individual member pursued further education, made more money or moved to the city. That appears not to be the case. We are both similar and different depending on the issue. In this chapter we seek to specify where there is diversity and its degree. It should be understood that evidence of diversity in itself should not be a cause for alarm. An interpretation of data analyses and trends is offered in chapter four.
Chapter 2 described the percentage of individuals agreeing or disagreeing with individual items in the survey. In this chapter, we will examine the larger picture. When members completed the questionnaire they indicated the degree to which they agreed or disagreed with a statement on a five-point scale. The scales described in this chapter grouped survey items by content, and the responses to these individual items were added to obtain a total scale score for each respondent. A comparison of averages on the scale totals is reported for each of the groupings (Tables 3.1). These comparisons summarize the effects of the various demographic variables on the scale scores. If a group abbreviation (such. as V+ for Village persons under Residence) appears in the table, it means that that group scored higher (+) or lower (-) than others on that scale (Villagers scored higher than Town or City dwellers on spiritualistic Christianity in 1982). The numbering {26} of the scales in Table 3.1 is also used in the analytical tables of this chapter.
As stated in chapter 1, by creating scales it was possible to discuss the findings in broader terms or themes such as discipleship or moral practices among Mennonite Brethren. The individual questionnaire items for each scale were listed in the tables in chapter 2, with the exception of the items on views of Christianity. This chapter summarizes the items that make up a scale and then indicates which variables (e.g., age, sex, education, etc.) significantly influence that scale. This chapter also reports how three groups in the local congregation responded to the items on a scale: the pastor, lay leaders and non-leaders. The lay leaders were individuals who held a church leadership position in the past five years, and the non-leaders were those respondents who have never held a leadership position in the church.
The analytical tables in this chapter (3.2 to 3.9) report the average of all individuals on a particular scale. The notations that appear after certain scores indicate whether there was a statistically significant difference between respondent groups. The notation indicates whether the difference was by country (c) or by decade (d). In the 1982 column, scale scores could be noted for both country and decade differences. In the 1972 column only country differences could be noted, and in the total column only decade differences could be identified. A full illustration of these notations will be discussed in the presentation of Table 3.2. The numbers in parenthesis after the scale label indicate the total possible score on that scale.
CONGREGATIONAL BELIEFS AND LIFE
Views of Christianity. Three views of Christianity were identified by the survey. Spiritualistic Christianity describes Christianity primarily in private, subjective terms. The outward symbols of the Lord’s Supper are seen as less important than the inward experience. Ecumenicity is a spiritual, not an organizational unity. Discipleship is defined as a direct personal relationship with the Spirit of Christ. The faithful witness of the church is the calling of individuals to conversion. The true Christian community generates a very personal feeling of unity which transcends race, creed, or denomination.
Sectarian Christianity focuses on the life within the Christian
{30} community. The best way to help society, from this perspective, is to call people out of immoral associations into a community of disciples. The faithful witness of the church is to preach the whole gospel regardless of whether it is accepted or not. The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance which is a sign of active participation in the suffering service of Christ in the world. Ecumenicity in this position is best expressed by the meeting of Christians from separate denominations who demonstrate by their gathering their common confession and commitment. Discipleship is defined as forsaking all other priorities in obedience to Jesus.Table 3.1, pp. 27-29
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