Executive Board picks Phoenix for 2013 convention

The board also gives ‘resounding yes’ to proceeding with building campaign

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Meeting in 70-degree weather Jan. 22-24 at Trinity Mennonite Church in Glendale, Ariz., the Executive Board (EB) of Mennonite Church USA agreed to come back in 2013. The board affirmed the recommendation of the Convention Planning staff of Executive Leadership to make Phoenix the site for the 2013 convention and delegate assembly.

Jorge Vallejos, director of Convention Planning, reported that Phoenix has six member congregations. Anticipating one concern, associate director Rachel Swartzendruber Miller pointed out that Phoenix’s heat index is lower than Atlanta, Houston, Louisville and St. Louis.

The board also heard a report from Peter Graber of Mennonite Mission Network on the “Joining Together, Investing in Hope” campaign, which includes building a facility in Elkhart, Ind., adjacent to the campus of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.

Graber reported that while the campaign has raised about $7.9 million thus far, another $2.25 million needs to be raised before construction begins. Since it appears that won’t happen in time to begin construction this June, EB will re-evaluate the campaign this fall.

Moderator-elect Ed Diller said the campaign is “to increase the missional ability of our denomination.” In later discussions, EB said that while it retains the power to stop the campaign if necessary, the board gives “a resounding yes” to going ahead, said Diller.

EB heard from the directors of Mennonite Church USA agencies. Each director named finances as a major concern at present. They also reported ways they have worked together across agencies to streamline resources.

About a year ago, EB issued a call for strengthening the church’s vision by “changing our relationships, behaviors and organization.” The plan to move to having one denominational board was postponed in meetings last June. At this meeting, EB updated their call (see at right).

EB held a review of Mennonite Education Agency at this meeting. The board commended MEA’s efforts to develop a virtual university; its intention to relate to institutional boards in ways that do not result in governance redundancies; its work through the Anabaptist Biblical Institute (see Jan. 20 issue); its mediating role in creating clarity and mutual support when misperceptions emerge among congregations, conferences and academic institutions; and its careful attention to fiscal planning.

The board also recommended that MEA clarify how its leadership is distinctive, explore virtual education as a way of increasing accessibility to Mennonite education across the church and work with Executive Leadership staff to develop a missional lens for leadership development. Finally, EB said it expects MEA to locate its main office in the proposed denominational office building in Elkhart, Ind.

EB also heard a report from Mennonite Health Services Alliance, which includes 75 ministries. EB voted to affirm a covenant with MHS Alliance for another three years. This covenant affirms the ministries of the alliance and outlines mutual accountabilities.

EB does part of its work in committees. One of these, the church resource committee, reported that it wants constituents to know that EB is aware of economic problems. While EB’s fiscal year ends Jan. 31, its 2010 budget looks similar to last year’s, with salaries remaining flat and no cost-of-living increase. The tentative budget also calls for about a 10 percent reduction of expenses from its revised budget.

The antiracism committee affirmed work being done on a Spanish language initiative but said there is need for culturally sensitive materials for other racial-ethnic groups. The committee also encouraged using available technology to reach out to people, following the example of the Obama campaign.

In other business, EB
• discussed a report from the search committee for a new executive director;
• heard about meetings with Virginia Mennonite Conference leaders.

EB next meets April 16-18 in Rochester, N.Y. 

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Additional Notes

Our commitment to join what God is doing in the world and to see more streamlined denomina
-tional structures leads us as an Executive Board to believe that we must continue to assess progress in our churchwide system and keep all alignment options available to us in the future. We look forward to:

• receiving learnings from the newly appointed churchwide consultant on operations and alignment; and

• working with the Governance Council and other parts of the church to further develop churchwide priorities and be good stewards of the resources God has given us.

The Executive Board will continue to routinely review progress toward its stated commitments. By February 2010, the Executive Board will make further decisions in consultation with others as to what changes in our organization may be needed and should be pursued.—Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA