Bishop Abraham D. Zook, the founding leader of Locust Grove, was 63 years old in 1898, when he began worshiping separately with the group of 118 former members of the area Amish Mennonite Church. His age and the accepted practice of having more than one minister in a congregation led him and the congregation to select new leaders which included Samuel T. Yoder, John L. Mast, and Jonas D. Yoder. As already noted in chapter one, Bishop Zook's deteriorating health, caused by repeated strokes, prompted him and the congregation to ordain John L. Mast as Bishop in 1906. Bishop Zook, the founding minister, served the congregation in that capacity for a scant eight years.

After 1906 the history of Locust Grove contains no accounts of leadership changes for the next 26 years. The ministerial team of Bishop John L.Mast, Ministers Samuel T.Yoder and Jonas D. Yoder, and Deacon Benjamin Glick served faithfully for three decades. This group of leaders provided a time of stability, growth, and solidarity for the congregation.

However, the implication of this was that by 1930, the ministers were nearing retirement years. In that year Bishop John L. Mast was 62 years old, Samuel T. Yoder was also 62, Jonas D. Yoder was 66, and Deacon Ben Glick was 66. It was clearly time to begin planning for younger leadership. The decade of the 1930's then, became a time for leadership changes.

1932-1937

On the morning of June 12, 1932 Bishop Michael S. Zehr from Pigeon, Michigan preached the morning sermon and officiated at the ordination service. Each member of the congregation was given an opportunity to share the name of a man they believed God was calling to be a minister. The names shared included Aaron J. Peachey, Samuel K. Yoder, Emanuel Peachey, Gideon Peachey, Jacob P. Yoder, and John B. Zook. When the lot was cast later that day, John B. Zook was selected and ordained. In the next few weeks he delivered the devotional before the sermon. Later he preached occasionally, and finally, within several months, he took his regular turn in preaching along with the other ministers.

He was a generation younger than all the other ministers and clearly represented a new style of leadership. At the time of his ordination, all the ministers wore beards. He chose never to wear a beard, although several members thought that he should do this. Also, he was not fluent in the German language and therefore never preached a Sunday morning sermon in German. He spoke in German publically only on two occasions. The first was when Joe Renno, husband of Annie, passed away. Annie thought that a German sermon would be nice because of her "Nebraska Amish" relatives. John also shared a German opening devotional at a funeral for Becky Glick.

Two and one half years after John B.'s ordination, on Dec. 3, 1935, Minister Samuel T. Yoder died at the age of 67. A few months following his death, the congregation gave approval for another ordination. Members were also requested to spend time in prayer for God to choose the right person from the congregation to serve as a minister.

On May 3, 1936 Bishop John S. Mast from the Conestoga Mennonite Church at Morgantown, PA, gave the morning message on the qualifications of a minister. He emphasized the need for humbly seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit in the selection of a minister.

At the close of his message, the ministers met in the anteroom at the rear of the church. Church members were urged to come there to suggest the name of someone they felt was qualified for this position and whom they believed the Lord had laid upon their hearts. Slowly, voluntarily, and individually, members went to the anteroom in sincere solemnity to place a name.

After each person had an opportunity to share a name, the ministers filed up the center aisle, to a very somber, expectant congregation. The visiting minister, Bishop John S. Mast, went to the pulpit to present the names of those men who would be in the lot. Each person who was nominated three or more times was included.

The names given were Samuel K. Yoder, Jacob P. Yoder, Aaron J. Peachey, Emanuel B. Peachey, Daniel K. Hostetler, Jonas C. Kauffman, and Ray S. Peachey. These men and their wives were then asked to meet with the ministers following the close of the service to prepare for the afternoon ordination service.

At that service, the congregation sang several songs on commitment, consecration and dedication. Following a devotional period, the visiting minister urged the congregation to seek the will and direction of the Holy Spirit in the selection of a minister.

The visiting minister then supervised the preparation of the lot. Seven song books were placed in a row on a table in front of the pulpit. Each identical book was tied with a cord. Only one of the books contained a slip of paper with the words of Prov.16:33 written on it. "The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." These books had been prepared in such a way that no one knew which book contained the paper.

The seven men participating in the lot sat on the front pew and their wives sat on the opposite side of the aisle on the front pew. Very slowly and reverently each man went to the table, selected a book and then sat down. The minister then came down from the pulpit, took each man's book one at a time, cut the cord with his knife, and opened it to a certain page to see if the paper was there. This was a very tense and reverential moment for everyone present.

He continued to open the books until he found the paper in the book selected by Emanuel B. Peachey. At that moment Emanuel was overcome by his emotions.

The ordination charge was given immediately. Emanuel knelt on his knees as the ministers laid their hands on him to give the ordination charge. At the close of the service many from the congregation greeted him, wishing him God's blessings in his new calling. Emanuel was 31 years old.

One year later, on July 4, 1937 Emanuel again found himself on the front pew participating in the lot. This time the selection was for a bishop to succeed John L. Mast, who was seventy yeas old. Two ministers were in this lot, Emanuel, and his brother-in-law, John B. Zook. The lot again fell upon Emanuel and he was ordained Bishop of the Locust Grove congregation. Bishops Michael Zehr from Michigan and Elmer Swartzendruber from Wellman, Iowa officiated in this ordination service.

The first seven ministers and deacons of the church were each ordained in this same way. The congregation never questioned their calling to the ministry.

The last ministerial change during the 1930's occurred unexpectedly during a Sunday morning service on February 21, 1937. Preacher Jonas D. Yoder returned to the worship service that morning after an absence of a few weeks due to a problem with his heart. His wife, Leah, had died eleven months earlier. He told the congregation that he had been warned not to preach, but that with the help of the Lord, he wanted to bring the morning message. He asked the congregation to sing "Building for Eternity," which is #519 in the Church and Sunday School Hymnal. Lomie Yoder led the song from her seat.

Jonas then stated that his sermon text was Mark 11:22, "Have faith in God". Then, after only a few comments, he asked for ventilation. He continued to preach after the side entrance door was opened, but soon interrupted his sermon by calling out, "Open the door and help me out." Emanuel B. Peachey and John B. Zook, who were seated behind the pulpit caught him as he fell to the floor. With the help of several other men, they carried him outside.

John B. Zook assumed leadership for the remainder of the service. At the conclusion, the congregation learned that Jonas had died. Elam Glick then led the closing song that morning, "Asleep in Jesus," #179 in the hymnal.

The community was shocked even more on the following Wednesday when Peter Yoder, a brother of Jonas, died suddenly at the private family service at the home of the family before the public funeral at the church.

Jonas Yoder was remembered as a sincere man of God and as an enthusiastic preacher. Many noted that he died doing what he enjoyed doing. One member commented that Jonas "died in his harness."

Thus, within five years, Locust Grove experienced nearly a complete change of leaders. The only ordained man to provide continuity through these changes was Deacon Ben Glick.

1944

On November 14, 1944 Deacon Ben Glick became 80 years old. The congregation did not need to be convinced that it was time to ordain another person to serve as deacon. In the fall of that year, the congregation voted unanimously to proceed with an ordination. Deacon Benjamin Glick, who died in 1949, served in the ministry as a deacon for forty years from 1904 until 1944.

Bishop Elmer G. Swartzendruber from Wellman, Iowa was present at Locust Grove on December 31, 1944 to assist Bishop Emanuel B. Peachey in the ordination of a deacon. The congregation selected three men, Louis Peachey, Ray Peachey, and Harvey Miller as candidates for the office of deacon in the usual manner. When the lot was taken, Louis Peachey was selected and promptly ordained. One memorable aspect of the day was that Louis was still recovering from a surgery and was only barely strong enough to stand on his feet to respond to the ordination vows and charge.

As deacon, Louis shared the morning devotional meditation each Sunday and was responsible for carrying out matters of church discipline as well as assisting members with financial needs through the distribution of the alms fund. As Louis became more experienced in his speaking, Bishop Emanuel Peachey invited him to take a turn preaching on every fourth Sunday. Before this time, the deacon never preached. At the 36th annual meeting of the Conservative Conference, Louis gave a devotional reading from Ephesians 2 when Bishop Emanuel Peachey was serving as conference moderator.

Gradually other ministers became aware of Louis Peachey's gifts as a preacher. He sometimes accompanied Emanuel on visits to other congregations. In one area, a bishop wanted to ask Louis to preach, but hesitated doing so because Louis had not been ordained as a minister and deacons customarily did not preach sermons. After Bishop Emanuel Peachey found out about this situation, and, in order to affirm Louis in his enlarging ministry, he led the congregation in ordaining Louis to be a minister on June 20, 1954, without the use of the lot. Louis served as a minister at Locust Grove until he became pastor of the Boyer Mennonite Church in 1959.

After Louis was ordained minister in 1954, the office of the deacon at Locust Grove was discontinued. No one ever replaced Louis in this office. For several years the ministers shared the work of the deacon. Years later, a finance committee and elders fulfilled the traditional deacon responsibilities, which included distributing the alms fund to church members in need, rendering financial counseling and assistance, assisting with worship services, and overseeing matters of church discipline.

1951

In the minister's business meeting that same week, Emanuel B. Peachey was elected to serve a year's term on the Executive Committee. The next year conference met near Pigeon, Michigan on August 29 - September 1. Erie Renno, who had been serving as a Sunday School superintendent at Locust Grove spoke on the subject of "The Aim of the Sunday School" during the Sunday School conference program. Around this time Alvin Swartz, missionary to Turner's Creek, Kentucky, asked Emanuel Peachey if someone from Locust Grove would be available to move to eastern Kentucky to begin a church work in a new area.

On Sunday, February 4, 1951, after the church service had been dismissed, Bishop Emanuel Peachey asked Erie Renno if he had ever felt a call from God to be a minister. Erie responded by asking Emanuel if they could meet and discuss that question later. Erie, at that time, was farming with his wife Verna and four children on the McNitt farm near Reedsville where the John Alan Yoder family now lives. On Wednesday of that week, Erie told Emanuel about an experience he had had in 1932 when he was certain that God had spoken to him and told him that he was going to be a minister. Emanuel responded by saying that the conference mission board was looking for persons to be ordained in a local congregation and serve there until workers were needed to begin other churches elsewhere. He affirmed Erie and Verna in their involvement in the congregation and indicated that he felt that God had something more for them to do.

Three weeks later, on February 25, Emanuel reported to the congregation the request from Kentucky for someone to begin a new work. He stated, "I believe we have a number of brethren in our congregation that would be qualified. We could ordain one to serve at home until he received a call, then ordain someone else. This way we would have brethren with some experience when they are needed."

In early April the ministers recommended to the congregation that they would ordain Erie Renno to the ministry so that he would be prepared in the future to respond to a call from conference to be involved in mission work. In this situation, the ministers selected the candidate and asked the congregation for approval of the selection. This was clearly a change in the usual pattern of selecting a ministerial candidate, but the congregation voted on April 27 to approve this recommendation by a 97% affirmative vote.

Emanuel requested permission from the conference Executive Committee for the ordination. Alvin Swartz, who was then Assistant Moderator as well as a member of the mission board, wrote in his response, "We do need Erie and I don't see why you should hesitate in ordaining him to the ministry. I wished I knew as a member of the mission board where we could get men that have had some experience in preaching. I can hardly see that it is fair to send some one out and expect him to do the work of a preacher, make good in the mission field without having had a chance to serve in his home congregation first. I feel you are on the right road."

At about this same time, the Conference Mission Board , at the invitation of the Mennonite Central Committee, explored the possibility of sending mission workers to assist with missions and church planting work in post-war Europe. On March 26, 1951 Harvey and Mildred Miller, members of Locust Grove who were active in the Woodland Mission, were invited to consider a call to go to Europe. They accepted this call on April 4 and began preparing immediately for this new assignment. One part of that preparation involved Harvey's ordination to the ministry.

Alvin Swartz from Turner's Creek, Kentucky and Emanuel Swartzendruber from Pigeon, Michigan were present at a full church building at Locust Grove on Sunday evening, July 8, 1951 for the ordination service. Harvey Miller was ordained as a minister to serve in Luxenbourg and Erie was ordained to serve at Locust Grove until he was called to go elsewhere. Erie preached his first sermon two weeks later from 1 Cor. 14:1, "Follow After Charity." On September 4, 1951 Harvey and Mildred began their trip to Luxembourg.

Erie took his turn, along with the other three ministers at Locust Grove in the preaching rotation. During his first year in the ministry, he also preached at other congregations and taught Bible doctrine at BMS. One year after his ordination, he preached a sermon, "The Worthy Walk" at a conference meeting near Croghan, N.Y. The conference report notes, "The need of living in God's will was emphasized as our brother spoke with deep conviction." Erie recalls his anxiety before he preached that sermon and the impact of the encouragement of older ministers in conference as they encouraged him. It was then that he determined to continue throughout his life to encourage younger ministers.

Erie's call to missionary work came during August, 1952 from the conference mission board to move to Blountstown, Florida, to organize a church. Several families had moved to that area in response to the invitation of the conference mission board to begin a church by colonization. Erie and Verna, after receiving the request, assumed they would soon need to move. However, Bishop Emanuel Peachey informed them that the call would be subject to the approval of the congregation. On Sunday, August 31, 1952 Emanuel informed the congregation about the call and one Sunday later, on September 7, the congregation responded with a written vote. The 78% vote by the congregation for Erie to stay at Locust Grove disappointed Bishop Emanuel Peachey, who was deeply committed to sending persons out into mission work. But Erie and Verna were pleasantly surprised by the outcome of the vote, relieved that they would not need to move, and also grateful for the clear direction they received to stay and minister at Locust Grove. As it turned out, Erie served as minister until March 16, 1958 when he was ordained bishop and served in that capacity until he retired in 1983. At the time of this writing he is serving as Minister of Visitation.

The ministerial team of Bishop Emanuel Peachey and Ministers John B. Zook, Erie Renno, and Louis Peachey served the pastoral needs of Locust Grove very effectively during the early 1950's. The size of this very capable group of ministers made it possible for them each to be involved outside the congregation in various assignments. Bishop Peachey was very involved in the work of the conference, serving on the Mission Board from 1939-1944 and the Executive Committee from 1948-1950, 1953 - 1955 and as Conference Moderator in 1946 and 1955. He also traveled frequently to preach and hold evangelistic meetings in many congregations, including the mission post at Turner's Creek, Kentucky, which he visited nearly each year. Often on those trips he invited quartets of young people from Locust Grove to accompany him to provide special singing at the revival meetings or to help with teaching Bible school. In 1951, for example, Allen Yoder, Elrose Glick, Tom Kauffman, Sallie Peachey went with Emanuel to Vasser, Michigan to spend two weeks in Bible school and revival meetings. They stayed at Orie Kauffman's home. Emanuel, however, left before the last weekend, and refused to give an explanation until the group was on the way home. He then told them he had to come home to perform the wedding ceremony of Ivan and Mary Yoder.

John B. Zook preached quite frequently at the Woodland Chapel before Ivan Yoder became the first pastor in this mission of Locust Grove. And Louis Peachey preached regularly at the Crenshaw church after Jesse and Betty Byler moved to Lancaster in August, 1953 until Richard Moyer was ordained as pastor there in April, 1954.

1956-1959

During the last half of the 1950's several events occurred that threatened as much as at any time, the unity, peace, and grace of the Locust Grove congregation. The leadership changes were initiated when Bishop Emanuel Peachey developed heart problems, resulting in a seriously curtailed responsibility load.

In the night of December 13, 1956, Bishop Emanuel Peachey suffered severe chest pains. The family called for Dr. Helfrick who tried to relieve his suffering with medications. Realizing the seriousness of Emanuel's condition, he stated emphatically that in the morning Emanuel would have to get to the hospital by any means possible. Once admitted to the Lewistown Hospital the next day, he was diagnosed as having had a heart attack. He remained a patient at the hospital for four weeks.

After his heart attack, the doctor advised Emanuel to relinquish all his responsibilities in the church so that he could regain his health again. On June 9, 1957 Emanuel Peachey announced to the congregation at Locust Grove, and, through Ivan Yoder to the congregation at Woodland, that with the approval of his fellow-ministers, he requested "the support of the congregation to have the brethren Emanuel Swartzendruber and Alvin Swartz assume the responsibility of Bishop oversight until leadership is provided, and determined otherwise." He further announced that both Emanuel and Alvin would be present at Locust Grove on the following Saturday evening, June 15, at 7:30 for a public meeting to discuss the situation.

Sunday morning, June 16, Alvin Swartz preached a sermon from 1 Timothy 3:1-7, entitled, "God's Requirements of a Bishop". That evening Emanuel Swartzendruber brought a challenge to all members to participate in supporting the church through involvement, prayer, faithful service, encouragement, and respect for the leaders. The congregation was given an opportunity to respond in a written ballot. The visiting speakers reminded the congregation that they were "seeking the Lord's choice, not just voting in the worldly sense." On Monday evening, in a congregational meeting, the announcement was given that as a result of the voting, Erie Renno would be ordained bishop. The actual percentages of the vote (73% for Erie Renno and 27% for Louis Peachey) were not announced. The matter was then referred to the minister's business meeting of conference to be held in August for final approval of the request to ordain Erie Renno to the office of bishop.

However, the congregation was not at peace with this decision. Some people felt rushed to make a decision, having only had one week to prepare for the vote. Some wondered why John B. Zook, who was 58 years old, was not considered as a candidate to be bishop. Many remembered that Erie had initially been ordained in 1951 to eventually assume a mission assignment and they could therefore could not support a congregational vote to call him to serve as bishop. They insisted on the use of the lot in the selection of a bishop. The congregation was clearly not united in supporting the ordination of Erie Renno as bishop.

In the meantime, Raymond R. Peachey, Bishop of the Boyer Mennonite Church in Snyder County, Pa, sent a letter to the ministers and bishops of Locust Grove requesting the service of Louis Peachey to serve as their pastor. The letter stated that Louis was willing to go and that this matter had been under consideration before the plans at Locust Grove to ordain Erie as bishop instead of Louis. Louis had been filling the pulpit at Boyer occasionally in the year prior to this request.

The congregation was in a turmoil. Major leadership changes were occurring rapidly. In addition to Emanuel Peachey's heart attack, the former Bishop John L. Mast died on Sunday, May 26, 1957 at the age of 89.

At their business meeting on August 13, 1957 at Goshen, Indiana, the ministers of the conference approved a request to "ordain a bishop to serve the Locust Grove congregation." Having then, the authorization to proceed with the ordination, Emanuel Swartzendruber and Alvin Swartz planned to be in Belleville on October 1-6 to be available to meet with each member of the congregation who had "problems or questions". In the meantime, Louis Peachey agreed to postpone temporarily the decision of whether to go to the Boyer congregation as pastor until a bishop would be ordained at Locust Grove.

The result of further processing with the congregation was still inconclusive. Another congregational vote produced the same results as the earlier vote. Although the majority still favored Erie to be ordained bishop, the congregation was clearly not united in the matter. Reluctantly, the bishops and ministers made the decision to use the lot to determine who would be bishop. The service was planned for March 16, 1958. Emanuel Swartzendruber led the service and Alvin Swartz assisted him. Erie later described what happened.

"I decided I would let Louis take the first book. We walked up to the front together and I closed my eyes to pray. When I opened my eyes, Louis had taken the first book. When the books were opened, the slip of paper was in my book, so I was ordained. What a traumatic experience! The church was full of people and all eyes were on us! The next week as I came to the church and parked in the church parking lot, I cried when I thought of the responsibility. After the ordination a good friend came and said, ‘Now I know that God has called you.'"

After this service, the congregation was able for the most part to accept the selection of Erie as the new bishop. But more leadership changes were in store. After Erie's ordination as bishop, Louis resurrected his earlier request to be released of his responsibilities as minister at Locust Grove so that he could become pastor of the Boyer congregation. On October 5, 1958 a questionnaire was used to determine if the congregation would release Louis Peachey to go to Boyer to serve as pastor. The result was announced on October 12, 55% no and 45% yes. On October 12 a closed eye raised hand vote was taken with 20 voting no and 128 voting yes. Many people appreciated his kindness and his clear, deliberate presentation of the Word, often preaching on doctrine. Finally, realizing the congregation would not actually vote to recommend that he would go to Boyer, Erie invited all those who would be willing to bless Louis in his going to stand to their feet. Louis then had a blessing to go.

During the last half of 1958 and the first half of 1959, Emanuel B. Peachey recovered enough strength to preach occasionally and to visit in peoples' homes. On the weekend of June 20 and 21, 1959, Erie accompanied the Locust Grove MYF chorus on a trip to the Bowery Mission in New York City. Emanuel preached the sermon at Locust Grove that Sunday morning, June 21, "Enjoying the Sunset of Life". In that sermon Emanuel appealed to the congregation to accept, recognize, and support the bishop in his responsibilities. He appealed to scriptures like 1 Thess 5:12,13; 1 Tim. 5:1,17-19; Hebrews 13:17, and 1 Samuel 26:11 to charge the congregation to "express a sweet obedient attitude toward our ministry." He further recommended that the congregation support Erie financially so that he could give himself more completely to the work of ministry.

The following Saturday, June 26, 1959, Emanuel shared a brief meditation at the wedding of John and Virginia Spicher. The reception, following the wedding, was held at the Belleville Community Hall. While the food was being served, Emanuel suffered another heart attack and died. The congregation was again shocked to witness the death of a second congregational leader in such a public way.

The last ministerial change of the 1950's happened only a few months later. On August 11, 1959 when the ministers of the Conservative Mennonite Conference met at Belleville, a request was read for a release to the Allegheny conference of Louis Peachey to serve the Boyer Mennonite church. The request was in a letter written by Raymond Peachey and the ministers approved it. Thus the ministerial team of four, Emanuel, Erie, Louis, and John B., which had served so effectively during the 1950's, was reduced to only two, Erie and John B., to lead the congregation in the 1960's.

1971 - 1974

Bishop Erie Renno and Minister John B. Zook provided rich sermons and stable leadership during the decade of the 1960's. However, by 1970 it was apparent that a new leader needed to be selected. John B. Zook became 70 years old in 1969.

Richard Zehr, a bishop of several of our conference churches in northern New York, and a friend of Erie Renno, agreed to come to Locust Grove on November 17-21, 1971 to assist the congregation in selecting and ordaining a minister. On Wednesday evening of that week, Richard Zehr preached a sermon on the qualifications for a minister. Then on Thursday and Friday afternoons and evenings members were invited to come to the church and share the name of who they believed God was calling to serve as minister. Richard Zehr and Erie Renno received and tallied the names.

The names of three candidates emerged, Mayard Beitzel, Gerald Peachey, and Allen Yoder. On Saturday morning Richard, Erie and John B. met with the candidates and their wives to interview them. They used the recommended form from the conference. One of those questions was, "Have you felt the call of the Lord for service?" Neither Mayard Beitzel nor Allen Yoder could definitely affirm that they sensed a call from the Lord to become a minister at that time. However, Gerald Peachey did acknowledge having a sense of call from God.

That Saturday evening the members met to hear the results of the selection process. The next morning, November 21, Gerald Peachey was ordained minister. Both Mayard and Allen shared publically with the congregation that they could not confirm a call from God to become a minister at that time and that they supported Gerald in becoming minister. That evening Richard concluded his weekend with the congregation with a final message.

The following week, Erie, John B., and Gerald met and agreed to take regular turns preaching the Sunday morning sermon. Erie, who was serving as bishop of the churches at Woodland, Crenshaw, and Bart, indicated his desire to visit each of those churches periodically. They also agreed to pursue an open, trusting, relationship between them.

Several months later, in March, 1972, John B. Zook asked Erie if he could be excused from attending church council meetings since he was getting older and it was harder to attend evening meetings. At that time the ministers met with the Sunday school superintendents to discuss church decisions and to form a slate of nominees from which the church would elect officers. The council approved his request on July 13, 1972. He also asked Erie to excuse him from the regular preaching schedule. He did preach occasionally until he had a serious car accident in 1973 and was not able to preach for several months.

Also in 1973, Preacher J. Elrose Hartzler and thirty eight members of the Allensville Mennonite Church, withdrew to form a new congregation, the Beth-El Mennonite Church. John B. Zook was in sympathy with the concerns of this new congregation which disapproved of the changes occurring in the Mennonite churches in the area. John B. and his wife Sallie began to attend services at Beth-El and in October 1974, requested the transfer of his church membership as well as a ministerial release from Locust Grove. On October 20, 1974, Erie announced John B.'s request and invited the congregation to express their appreciation for the many years of service John B. had rendered to the congregation and to wish John and Sallie the Lord's blessing as they continue to serve the Lord wherever the Lord called them. The entire congregation stood. Erie then asked John D. Zook to lead in a prayer of blessing for John B. and Sallie as they served God at Beth-El. In this way, John B.'s ministry of over forty years to the Locust Grove congregation was concluded.

During the decade of the 1970's the amount of responsibility delegated to congregational members greatly increased. When Erie was first ordained bishop he found himself, along with John B., making decisions by themselves about where offerings should be given, whose names should appear on the slate of nominees, how matters of church discipline should be handled, which changes to introduce to the congregation, and who should be invited to come for special meetings. Erie determined to involve members in these decisions. During the early 1970's he called for meetings of all the Sunday school superintendents to discuss issues affecting the congregation. He began to call this group the church council.

He also gave leadership to the appointment of a finance committee in 1970 to give overall leadership to raising funds for a building project and beyond that, to coordinate the finances of the church through a unified church budget. Before this time offerings were designated for each Sunday of the month. For example, in 1956, the offering on the first Sunday of the month went to support the work at Crenshaw, the second for B.M.S., the third for missions, the fourth, for expenses of the church building, and the fifth, for Sunday school supplies. By 1971 the designation had changed to the building fund on the first Sunday, missions or relief on the second, pastoral support and church administration on the third, the benevolence fund on the fourth, and specially designated offerings on the fifth Sunday of the month. The unified church budget system was introduced in 1972.

But Erie continued to envision a group of lay leaders specifically selected by the congregation to serve in leadership as elders. In 1975 he introduced the role of the elder through a series of messages. On June 1 a nomination vote indicated seven persons with a majority of votes. Two of those declined the nomination resulting in five men who were installed as elders on June 8, 1975. Those five men were Mayard Beitzel, Urie S. Peachey, Allen Yoder, Merle Yoder, and Percy Yoder. Two days later, Urie S. Peachey died suddenly. At their first meeting on June 18, the elders decided to continue through 1975 with four members. Those four drew numbered slips of paper to determine the length of their terms. Merle received two years; Percy, three; Mayard, four; and Allen, five. Beginning in 1976 one new member has been elected each year to serve a five year term. The role of the elders has definitely been a strengthening and stabilizing role for the congregation.

Several other committee structures were added to the church during the 1970's. The job descriptions for each of these were clarified and written. A "Memo of Understanding" containing job descriptions was written in the 1960's but revised into an official church constitution which was adopted by the congregation on December 11, 1977.

1981 - 1984

During the late 1970's Erie began to prepare the congregation for his retirement. He would become 65 years old in 1983 and his plans were to retire from his responsibilities as bishop at that time. He wanted to guide the congregation in a process of leadership selection so that the transition could be accomplished smoothly. During the late 1970's he discussed his plans with Gerald and the elders on various occasions. But at an elder's meeting on December 7, 1977 Gerald reported that at the present time he did not have the conviction to step in as pastor, should the need arise. This led Erie and the elders to spend time in prayer and discussion about how God would provide future leadership for Locust Grove.

On February 7, 1979 Erie presented the possibility to the elders of Max Zook assuming a role for the summer as a student or apprentice pastor. The elders unanimously approved the plan. His responsibilities, which were later discussed with Max and presented to the congregation on May 13, would be to preach a Sunday morning message about once a month, assist with visitation of church members, attend regular meetings of the pastors and elders, assist with leading the MYF Bible study, read and report on several books, and to participate in the Paul-Timothy program, which was a process of preparing new persons for church leadership roles. Max served in this role during the months of June, July, and August, after which he returned to the Rosedale Bible Institute where he served as Dean of Men.

The following winter Dave Sharp, who had returned from a five year church planting assignment with Rosedale Mennonite Missions, also spent three months assisting with the preaching and attending the elder's meetings. This gave time for both Dave Sharp and the congregation to test the possibility of him becoming a minister at Locust Grove. But at the elders meeting on May 7, 1980, at the conclusion of those months, Dave reported that he had agreed to serve as a candidate in the lot to choose a pastor for the Rockville Mennonite Church. The elders then gave Dave the privilege of accepting whatever call came to him from God. He was later chosen and ordained to serve the Rockville Mennonite Church as pastor.

After further discussion about Erie's upcoming retirement, the pastors and elders agreed to keep the congregation informed of Erie's desire to retire. Gerald Peachey announced to the congregation on Sunday morning, July 13, 1980, that he was not seeking, but would be willing to assume the responsibility of pastor of Locust Grove if the congregation would desire for him to serve in this way and that he wanted to be used by God in any way that He would lead. Jay Metzler, Chairman of the Elders, then asked the congregation to consider the possibility of Gerald moving from Associate Pastor to Pastor to prepare for Erie's retirement. These announcements were made to keep the congregation informed of this possibility, but no time was set for a decision.

Later that fall, on Sunday, October 12, Erie explained to the congregation his plans to retire and invited the members to meet with him and the elders at the church on Friday and Saturday, Sunday morning after church and the following Monday evening, October 17-20, to discuss future leadership possibilities at Locust Grove. Jay Metzler announced on Sunday morning, October 26, that Gerald received a strong support from members interviewed to serve as pastor, with the change to be made after June 1, 1981. The congregation also favored ordaining someone within the next three years to serve as an associate pastor.

A service recognizing the pastoral change was planned for July 12, 1981. The morning service consisted of a pastoral release for Erie along with responses and reflections by Gerald, Erie, and some congregational members. Richard Zehr brought a message, "The Superior Message" from 1 Cor. 2:1-5. The evening service consisted of the installation of Gerald Peachey as pastor along with a congregational response. Herman Reitz from Harrisonburg, Virginia, a teacher at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, brought a message, "Congregational Responsibility to the Pastor".

For Gerald and Erie to change roles meant that now Gerald would be responsible for the overall leadership of the congregation, and that he would be available for counsel, for crisis situations, planning for preaching schedule and revival meetings, coordinate committees and to work closely with the elders and the M.Y.F. Erie continued to preach at least once a month, assist with visitation, and be available to meet with the pastor and elders at their request.

Nearly two years later, on June 12, 1983, Erie announced his intention of resigning as bishop. The elders prepared ballots for the congregation to release Erie as bishop and ordain Gerald Peachey as bishop and to request the approval of the congregation to select an associate pastor to be either ordained or licensed to the ministry to assist Gerald. The vote was taken on July 24, 1983. The congregation voted with an 87% vote to approve the release of Erie as bishop and to ordain Gerald and a 96% affirmative vote to request permission from conference to ordain a minister to assist in the ministry.

The date for Gerald's ordination as bishop was set for October 30, 1983. On that morning Louis Peachey shared a devotional and Elam Peachey preached the sermon. Erie presented the bishop charge to Gerald and gave some of his reflections on this milestone in his own life and ministry. He told the congregation that he is thankful for Gerald, for his life and ministry and for the privilege of working with Gerald in the ministry for the previous twelve years. He further shared that he was thankful for the privilege of recommending Gerald to the congregation and to conference as bishop of the congregation. He then told the church that he would continue to be available to assist with preaching occasionally until someone would be ordained to assist Gerald. He was planning to relinquish his bishop responsibilities at Mt. View and also at Bart the end of the year.

On Friday evening and Saturday, March 23 and 24, Gerald and the elders met with members at the church to receive their counsel concerning ordaining someone to assist Gerald with the ministry. In those interviews many members suggested ordaining Max Zook. The elders then asked the congregation to vote in a written ballot whether they could accept the recommendation to ordain Max Zook as the Associate Pastor. The congregation voted with a 95% vote to authorize the ordination.

Ivan Yoder was the featured speaker at the ordination service on July 29, 1984. In the morning he preached a sermon, "The Pastor's Responsibility to the Congregation," and in the evening service, "The Congregation's Responsibility to the Pastor." Erie presented the ordination charge.

In his response to the ordination, Max shared his deepening sense of call to the ministry that had been stimulated when he lived with his family in Kentucky and saw his father serve as a minister. That call was tested and confirmed in his student pastor role in 1979 and further strengthened in his role as Chaplain's Assistant in the New Life Foundation prison ministry in Alabama. He also shared his fears in accepting this responsibility and his challenge in seeing the role as an opportunity to serve the congregation, to get to know individuals and share their burdens, joys, and sorrows. He shared his motto for ministry from 2 Timothy 4:7,8 which was the Apostle Paul's last testimony. He concluded by welcoming the counsel and prayers of the congregation.

With Gerald's ordination as bishop and Max's ordination as assistant pastor, Erie was no longer involved in direct pastoral responsibility at Locust Grove. He had reached his goal of a smooth transition to retirement, thanks in large part to his policy of being open with the congregation about his plans and allowing the congregation to be very involved in the process. One of his concerns was that the conclusion to his ministry would not be as controversial within the congregation as the beginning of his ministry had been. This transition freed Erie to accept the position of Chaplain at the Valley View Retirement Community, a position he held from 1984-1994.

1987 - 1990

However, in spite of the apparent smoothness of the transition from Erie to Gerald as bishop, all was not well beneath the surface. Soon after he became full-time pastor in 1981 Gerald launched several new initiatives. One was to clarify with the congregation a policy in response to the issue of divorce and remarriage. The pastors and elders developed a statement which Gerald presented to the church. But in a vote to adopt the statement, the congregation failed to approve it.

During the summer of 1983 the pastors and elders agreed to hold two worship services and two Sunday school periods to make better use of the church facilities and to provide an alternative to enlarging the building to solve space problems. However, at the end of that three month trial time the congregation voted 64% to return to one service and make structural changes to provide space for worship and Sunday school rooms.

Gerald developed a strong interest in evangelism and church growth strategies. He actively explored local mission and church planting options. He taught Evangelism Explosion classes and led participants in door to door evangelism. He developed plans for beginning small evangelistic Bible study groups and using them as the core for a new church. But he became increasingly frustrated when many in the congregation, including the elders and Erie, did not wholeheartedly embrace his vision and adopt his strategies for church growth. He felt rejected when some members requested Erie's involvement in funerals and other forms of pastoral care. He felt betrayed by the apparent lack of trust in and acceptance of his leadership, and therefore, unable to lead the congregation in the way he believed God intended for him to lead.

In 1986 Jonathan Yoder, Pastor of the Mt. View Mennonite Chapel resigned and accepted the pastorate of a church in eastern Pennsylvania. Gerald preached occasionally at Mt. View during the later part of 1986 and into 1987. When his frustration continued to mount at Locust Grove, he began to seek ministry opportunities elsewhere, including at Mt. View. The search committee voted unanimously to call him as pastor. On March 15, 1987, the same Sunday as the announcement at Mt. View, Gerald announced to the Locust Grove congregation that he was planning to resign as pastor and bishop to become, if confirmed by the congregation there, the pastor at Mt. View.

Many in the congregation were shocked by this announcement. Most had fully expected Gerald to serve at Locust Grove for many years and had been unaware of the high level of Gerald's frustration. Some began to lay the blame on the elders for causing Gerald's frustrations by refusing to accept his vision for the church. Others blamed Gerald for being impatient with the congregation.

On June 14, 1987 the congregation participated in a service of release and recognition for Gerald and his ministry at Locust Grove. Several persons shared their memories and reflections of his impact on their lives in his fifteen years of ministry at Locust Grove and in his teaching at B.M.S. Gerald then preached his last sermon, "Paul's Last Will and Bequest," before Max led the congregation in a responsive reading of blessing for Gerald, Sue, and their family.

One week later, on June 21, the congregation voted, at Max's request, with an 89% affirmative vote, for Max to assume the full responsibilities as pastor. Mayard Beitzel preached the sermon that morning in Max's absence. Much concern was expressed about the need for additional pastoral leadership.

Max and the elders decided to lead the congregation first in a process of selecting an overseer from within the conference to assist the congregation in the selection of additional leadership. At that time several conference churches were appointing an experienced pastor to serve as an overseer for a three year term instead of ordaining a bishop.

John Mishler, pastor of the Canon Mennonite Church near Greenwood, Delaware came to Locust Grove to describe the role of the overseer on Sunday, October 25 in both the morning and evening services. The congregation then voted on November 22 with a 96% affirmative vote to select someone to serve the congregation as overseer. Max and the elders then provided the congregation with the names of seven experienced ministers who could serve as overseer. On January 3, 1988 the congregation nominated Ivan Yoder and on January 24 confirmed Ivan with a 94% affirmative vote to the Locust Grove's Overseer. Ivan Yoder was installed as Locust Grove's first Overseer on April 17, 1988 and continues in that same role to this day.

The next large item for consideration involved initiating a selection process for an assistant pastor. The congregation voted on July 24 with a 96% affirmative vote to request permission from conference to either license or ordain someone to serve.

During the month of October, Max preached several sermons related to discerning the qualifications for spiritual leaders. Then on Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 31 - Nov. 2 members were invited to share a name of someone they believed that God may be calling to serve as pastor with Ivan, Max, and the elders. Two names were shared more than any other, Leon Miller and Karl Yoder. Both were interviewed and neither could confirm the nomination with a sense of personal call to the ministry. It was clear that this search process would not result in a new pastor.

A year later, in 1989, Guy and Verna Rocker moved to the Belleville area and eventually began to attend Locust Grove. After they began to appreciate the congregation and Max and Guy formed a friendship, Ivan Yoder, Overseer, and the elders agreed to explore the possibility of calling Guy to serve as Assistant Pastor. Max invited the congregation on May 16 to spend a month in discussion and prayer about this possibility and be prepared to respond in a written ballot on June 24. The elders shared additional information about Guy and their understanding of the benefits of calling him to serve in a Sunday evening discussion on June 3.

However, in the process of congregational discernment and interaction about the question of calling Guy to serve, Max and the elders became increasingly aware of unresolved questions, concerns, and tensions residing within the congregation resulting from Gerald Peachey's resignation three years earlier. Max then met with Gerald, Erie, and the past elders to attempt to deal openly and decisively with these concerns, and to attempt complete reconciliation. Those meetings resulted in a written statement that was thoroughly discussed and affirmed by Gerald, Erie, Max, and all the present and past elders. The statement described several dynamics that led to Gerald's resignation. It then stated,

"Now, at this time of our lives, July, 1990, we have come together to share and to acknowledge the pain that we have each experienced and to seek and grant forgiveness and reconciliation in a new and meaningful way. As a result of times of discussion, confrontation, brokenness, and apology over the past several years, we are now in agreement that we have been completely reconciled....

We invite the congregation at Locust Grove to rejoice with us and to join us in facing the future with a deep sense of reconciliation, peace, love, and joy. And we urge individuals who are still troubled by the past and unable to share our peace, joy, and love, to seek the help of God and of each or all of us to bring reconciliation and resolution to the past.

Our signatures below indicate that each of us is in complete agreement with this entire statement of resolution."

Each of the past and present elders along with Gerald, Erie, and Max signed the statement. Copies were then made, distributed, and read to the congregation on Sunday morning, August 5. Gerald returned from Mt. View to share several comments and a few elders and Max shared their comments and perspectives. As a result of that work of reconciliation and the concluding Sunday morning celebration of August 5, questions and concerns related to Gerald's resignation from ministry were resolved, freeing the congregation to consider calling Guy Rocker as Assistant Pastor.

The congregation then voted with a 71% affirmative vote to call Guy to serve as Assistant Pastor. He accepted the call and was installed on September 9, 1990 as Assistant Pastor with a one year term. The following year the congregation voted to affirm him for an additional three year term. Guy and Max took turns in preaching and shared the responsibility for visitation. In addition, Guy began a Bible study for junior high youth which became known as "The Group." He also organized and led the youth on several camping trips and service projects. At the conclusion of his three year term he chose to return to his home town of Port Leydon, New York to serve as pastor. His last Sunday at Locust Grove was on August 14, 1994.

1995 - Present

After Guy's departure Max and the elders proposed to the congregation the selection of a Director of Youth Ministries as a part-time position for someone to coordinate and lead youth activities. On September 29, 30, 1995 they interviewed church members to determine who they believed God may be calling to serve as a youth pastor as well as who they believed may be potential leaders in the future. However, after conducting extensive follow-up interviews, the elders reported back to the congregation on December 10, 1995, that they did not have anyone to recommend to the congregation as a candidate for the role but that they would continue to process the appointment of someone to minister to the youth in the future.

Over a year later, on May 4, 1997, the elders appointed Rich Peachey to serve during the summer of 1997 as a Student Youth Pastor. In this role he led MYF Bible studies, retreats, and assisted the youth group advisors in planning activities. This temporary position was created for both Rich and the church to test of the role of the youth pastor in a voluntary and temporary arrangement. After this very positive experience, the elders appointed Dion Peachey to serve as Student Youth Pastor during the summer of 1998. The elders continue to discuss the need for more permanent youth ministry and leadership.

In early 1995 Max requested a three month sabbatical from his responsibilities as pastor for January through March, 1996. He had been invited to teach one term at the Rosedale Bible Institute and also requested a month for an extended vacation. The elders approved the request and arranged for Jesse L. Yoder, recently retired pastor of the Bethel Mennonite Church in Sarasota, Florida to move to the area and assume the responsibility of interim pastor during this time. The congregation graciously received Jesse and Anna Mae during this time and appreciated their contagious enthusiasm, warm compassion, and spirited preaching.

Max and the elders also appointed Erie Renno to serve as Minister of Visitation in May, 1996, to assist the pastor with visiting members in their homes, nursing home, and hospital. Erie had served for ten years as the full time chaplain at the Valley View Retirement Community from 1984 to 1994. The timing of this appointment at Locust Grove coincided with his gradual phasing out of responsibilities at Valley View. His ministry has been well received by the congregation and is deeply appreciated by the pastor and elders.

On March 22, 1998, Mayard Beitzel was ordained as an Assistant Pastor for Preaching and Visitation at the age of 64. Mayard had been a Sunday school teacher ever since moving to this area in 1967. In fact, Mayard has taught a Sunday school class in some setting every year since he was seventeen years old. One of Mayard's first sermons on a Sunday morning was on June 21, 1987, the Sunday after Gerald Peachey's resignation. In the years after that Sunday, Mayard had the opportunity to preach not only at Locust Grove but also as a pulpit supply preacher, in nearly every church in the Belleville and Allensville area in addition to Otelia and Mattawana. Because of his growing ministry and to further supplement the ministerial leadership of Max Zook, the elders recommended to the congregation on December 7, 1997 that Mayard would be ordained. After one month of prayer and discussion, the congregation voted on January 4, 1998 with a 96% affirmative vote to request conference for authorization to ordain Mayard. At the present time Mayard preaches once a month at Locust Grove in addition to frequent sermons in other churches in the area.