District Superintendent was an office in the United Missionary Church, known in the earlier period of its history as Presiding Elder, was an important office from the beginning. The District Superintendent presided over the annual conference of his area, and was recognized as the pastoral head of the ministers of the area which he served. He also presided over quarterly conferences and conducted communion services with the various churches. He served as chairman of the stationing committee in the annual assignment of the ministers to the various pastorates. For the quadrennial General Conference the chairman was elected from the District Superintendents of the several conferences.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, p. 74. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

©1996-2013 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.