Reference
MO/3/1
Title
Elders' Conference minute books
Date free text
1757-1874
Production date
From: 1757 To: 1874
Admin/biog history
Originally the Elders Conference was the leading body of a Moravian congregation and comprised the three leading Brethren, the Congregation Helper, the Co-Helper and the Congregation Servant or Warden, as well as the corresponding officials or labourers in the Choirs. In the early years they met weekly and were supported by the Congregation Council, the Helpers Conference and the Committee.
The conference regulated the services and devotional exercises; decided about the reception of candidates to the congregation and their admission to privileges and to the sacraments; supervised the members of the congregation as to entering and leaving the choir houses and concerning the apprenticeship and conduct of their children; regulated the Committee, Congregation Council and Large Helpers Conference as to membership; received reports on activities in preaching places; dealt with marriage of congregation members, with setting up of schools, & the organist.
By the middle of the C 19 however the business done had declined, the meetings were irregular, and in the last few years there was hardly one meeting a year. The Congregation Committee (MO/3/3) took on many of the former duties of the Elders Conference.
Level of description
series