In Holland in the early days the church board of Mennonite congregations was usually called the Dienaarschap. The members (elders, ministers, and deacons) of this board were called dienaren or dienaers. During the 18^th century the terms disappeared, except in a very few congregations. The corresponding term in German West Prussia was Lehrdienst; in English the term "ministry" in several of the American Mennonite groups.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, pp. 52-53. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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