The Mennonite’s voice squished?

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When I read that Mennonite Church USA Executive Board’s vision is for a reformed and unified churchwide organization (“Executive Board Wants Radical Changes for Mennonite Church USA Structures,” April 1), I became both hopeful and uneasy. I’m hopeful because I believe Mennonite Church USA has now existed long enough that it is time to evaluate how well our new structure is working—and adjust as needed. My perspective of Mennonite Church USA involvement is almost exclusively from the congregational level. For me, a congregation’s connection to the funding structure seems indirect and somewhat disconnected.

But, I’m uneasy because The Mennonite is to be included in “one churchwide communication and identity system.” Mennonite Church USA Bylaws assign the magazine three goals: 1) provide a forum for the voices within the denomination, 2) promote the ministries of and support identity building for Mennonite Church USA, and 3) offer an editorial voice distinctive from but collaborative with other leadership voices within Mennonite Church USA.

I fear that this voice could be squished into representing only the sound from the organizational top. What’s “best” as seen from the top is not necessarily what is “best” as seen from the congregational level.

Associated Issue: Faithful followers - April 1, 2008

Associated Article: Executive Board wants major changes for Mennonite Church USA

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