Asian churches pursue merger with MWC

Asia Mennonite Conference to be Asia Caucus in Mennonite World Conference.

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Representatives from the Asia Mennonite Conference decided in an Oct. 10-14, 2007, meeting in Tokyo to move ahead on an “outline of merger” with Mennonite World Conference. According to the proposal, AMC will be known as the Asia Caucus within the structure of MWC and comply with the MWC constitution. Within the Asia region it will continue to carry the name Asia Mennonite Conference in its communication and programmatic involvement.



A group of delegates at the Asia Mennonite Conference meeting. Photo by Sheldon Sawatzky.

The fundamental question was whether AMC and MWC should remain separate while developing a closer relationship or merge structurally in some way.

The outline was prepared by Larry Miller, MWC general secretary, then revised by the AMC representatives. Further development of the proposal will occur prior to and at a joint meeting of the AMC and MWC executive committees in July. Implementation may include setting up an MWC/ AMC office with a paid facilitator.

Discussions on the relationship between Asia Mennonite Conference and Mennonite World Conference began in 1999. In 2005, the AMC Executive Committee accepted in principle AMC merging with MWC. The following year, the MWC Executive Committee stated its readiness to proceed with this option.

In the AMC revised proposal, the AMC conference delegates will be the Asia Caucus delegates chosen in accordance with MWC guidelines.

As part of the AMC merger proposal, AMC will assume responsibility for the formation of an Asian regional mission fellowship related to GMF. The Asia Mission Fellowship may include members not part of AMC or MWC.

The AMC will proceed with planning for the Asia Mennonite youth discipleship training and work camp program for Southeast Asia scheduled for this July in Thailand.

Representatives from Mennonite conferences in India, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Japan attended the Tokyo meeting. The Asia representative in the Global Mission Fellowship Planning Committee also participated.—From a report by Sheldon Sawatzky of Mennonite World Conference

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Additional Notes

From a report by Sheldon Sawatzky of Mennonite World Conference