Before we cast our votes for ordination candidates, David (our bishop) told us that since four of the men on the minister's team are 58 or 59, there is a need for younger men to join the team now. No age was suggested as a minimum or maximum age, however.

Three men received more than 63% of the votes: Lowell M. (my brother), Dwight M. (married to my cousin Karen), and Arlyn N. (who used to live and teach in New York City). Lowell is 51, Dwight is 39 and Arlyn is 42. A number of other men were nominated and it's likely that some of them were younger than 39.

"I guess people's definition of "young" varies," someone told me yesterday after the voting results were announced.

"I think probably everyone younger than yourself seems young, and we have a lot of older people in our church," I replied.

So 51 seems young to some and 39 seems young to others. I also think that, when there are quite a few capable men in the candidate pool, those who have a longer track record stand out in people's minds above younger people who have had less time in public service of any kind.

Past ordinations in our church included at least one 25-year old (Gary), and one 27-year old (Dad). Dad was also in the lot two years earlier, when he was 25, so people here have certainly not always been averse to nominating younger people, and God has apparently been willing to have them serve as church leaders.

The service tonight will be accessible in a link at centeramishmennonite.org. It starts at 7:00 Central Daylight Time.