Executive Board to strengthen vision
Board chooses Pittsburgh, Pa., over Phoenix, Ariz., for 2011 convention site.
by Gordon HouserPrint Article Email to a Friend
Believing change is needed if Mennonite Church USA is to follow its vision, the denomination’s Executive Board (EB) set in motion a process it expects to include “streamlining and consolidation of our churchwide organization” (see statement in box below).
The board met Feb. 8-9 in San Antonio, Texas, hosted by San Antonio Mennonite Church. On Feb. 7, board members also took part in antiracism training.
The statement grew out of two closed sessions, then was read publicly on Feb. 9 and passed unanimously. Moderator Sharon Waltner said, “Our passion for [Mennonite Church USA] leads us to take risks.”
Executive Director Jim Schrag said the statement comes out of a six-year review, which has been ongoing. (Mennonite Church USA formed in 2002.) “Current structures,” he said, “do not adequately support our vision.”
The statement is also an outgrowth of conversations between the EB’s executive committee and the chairs of the four agencies of Mennonite Church USA Jan. 25-26 in Columbus, Ohio.
The board’s action, said moderator-elect Ed Diller, is driven by vision, not by any sense of financial or other distress. It grows out of feedback from delegates to San José 2007, from other constituents and from studying the 2006 Church Member Profile (published as Road Signs of the Journey by Conrad L. Kanagy).
Waltner said the board wants to take its leadership responsibility seriously as it seeks the best direction to fulfill the vision of Mennonite Church USA. Diller added, “We want to do what we can to support the vibrancy we see in congregations.”
That vibrancy was on display in a meeting with “owners”—members of the San Antonio church, Comunidad de Vida and DOOR (Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection)—one evening. At each of its meetings, the Executive Board meets with local leaders. Each meeting is in a different location around the country.
At this meeting, Hugo Saucedo, a church member and director of the local DOOR program, said that Mennonites in San Antonio are known as people who serve others. A former pastor told him, “I wish I could get you people to preach what you practice.”
Saucedo, a longtime Mennonite, said he plans to remain one, even though some people at San José told him he’ll never be a Mennonite because of his name.
The board heard a report from Jorge Vallejos, director of convention planning, that recommended Pittsburgh, Pa., being the site for the 2011 convention, pending successful completion of contract negotiations. Vallejos said that based on many variables, Phoenix, Ariz., was the best option. However, given the low attendance at San José 2007, the likelihood of a larger attendance, given proximity to the largest number of constituents, made Pittsburgh the best value.
The board agreed with the choice and agreed with a staff recommendation that conventions continue on a two-year cycle, subject to further processing at the Constituency Leaders Council. They also adopted a convention purpose statement that includes, “Gather as a body of Christ to experience joy in relationship while building denominational vision and identity.”
The board conducted an evaluation of MMA (Mennonite Mutual Aid). MMA president Larry Miller reported that its board is looking at revising its ends statement to emphasize empowering “persons with Anabaptist beliefs” rather than “the Anabaptist faith community.” EB members expressed some caution about a direction that appeared to focus more on individuals and asked about how MMA has worked at antiracism.
A national identity task group reported its progress to EB members. Its purpose is to “formulate a process that helps the church explore our identity as Mennonites living in what many consider the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth by providing resources that help us live faithfully in Christlike ways.”
The group encouraged EB members to attend the binational “People’s Summit for Faithful Living” this July in Winnipeg.
EB members accepted a budget for fiscal year 2009 of $2,141,378, a 2.9 percent increase over last year’s budget.—Gordon Houser
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Additional Notes
Statement by Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA
As the Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA, we speak with a single and unified voice declaring that our vision and call to engage in God’s purposes in the world is not adequately supported by our present relationships, behaviors and organization.
We will pursue this reality further between now and our next meeting in June 2008 in discernment with agencies and conferences, primarily in meetings that are already planned.
We will pursue all options that strengthen our vision to joyfully follow Jesus into the world and our capacity to be God’s people at work for God’s purposes. We expect these options to include streamlining and consolidation of our churchwide organization. We are committed to changing our relationships, behaviors and organization, prayerfully seeking new guidance of the Holy Spirit for Mennonite Church USA.
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