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2010-06-01 issue:

DJ Construction named contractor for Elkhart building

by Anna Groff

Print Article

The contract for Mennonite Church USA's new office building in Elkhart, Ind., may be $500,000 higher than anticipated.

Mennonite Church USA Executive Board (EB) learned of this increase from Bill Hochstetler, board chair of Mennonite Mission Network, during their meeting June 10-12 at Iowa Mennonite School, Kalona, Iowa.



Hochstetler and David Weaver, senior executive for finance at the Mission Network, attended the EB meeting to bring an update on the building plan. Weaver said they selected DJ Construction, the lowest of three bidders, as the general contractor for the building. DJ Construction, Goshen, Ind., also worked on the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) library in Elkhart so they have experience with LEED-certified building and will work with volunteer labor and donated materials. 



According to Weaver, the increase in building costs is due to the economic climate, increased cost of materials, as well as a lower expected savings from the decision to leave the lower level of the building unfinished. This increase required the EB to authorize a loan up to 2.1 million—up from the 1.5 million they authorized at the EB meeting in February in Hampton, Va.





Hochstetler said the Mission Network recognized the final decision is up to the EB; they would be disappointed if plan did not continue, they would also be at peace.

After more than an hour of discussion, the EB approved the following recommendation: to proceed with the ground blessing (scheduled for June 15), sign the construction contract, authorize the increased loan amount and implement a plan for a debt-free outcome.





Before they voted, the EB discussed how to respond to opposing voices—such as Spark Renewal—a group of individuals asking for the project to be put on hold because they question how it aligns with Mennonite Church USA's missional priorities. Marty Lehman, associate executive director for church wide operations, and executive director Ervin Stutzman have met with this group's leaders in the past month.





In order to acknowledge and address these concerns, the EB also voted to authorize 10 percent of the new building funds raised after June 15 until the end of the campaign to be used for Racial/Ethic people's concerns. Stutzman, who brought this proposal to the board, plans to work with Glen Guyton in developing a plan for this money. Guyton is the associate executive director for constituent resourcing.



Several members described the new building in Elkhart as "at the heart of alignment," because it will bring together staff from Mennonite Church USA, Mission Network, Mennonite Education Agency and The Mennonite and more.



Weaver said he plans for the building's to be completed in September 2011 and a move in date by the end of 2011. The total cost of the project including the cost of the campaign is $6.7 million.



Yutzy recommendation and Mennonite Mission Network
The EB also discussed their response to the Yutzy recommendation on Mennonite Mission Network with Hochstetler. Yutzy's recommendation called for the integration of Executive Leadership and Mennonite Mission Network. But Stutzman said the EB does not assume that outcome.

The heart of the recommendation, according to Stutzman, is a consultation on the role of a mission program agency in a missional church scheduled for Sept. 7-8 at AMBS. The EB and Leaders Forum will address findings from this consultation at their meeting Sept. 23-24 in Pittsburgh.

"This is cutting edge work," Stutzman said. "As far as we know, there is no group that has looked at this question. There’s been a lot of missional church teaching ... but as far as we know we are the first, and perhaps only denomination, that says we are going to be a missional church as a denomination."

"Stanley Green and the executive cabinet of Mennonite Mission Network and the Mission Network board," Hochstetler said, "support this and are optimistic and enthusiastic about what is being proposed here." 



Phoenix decision

Guyton said participants at the Leaders Forum will also address whether or not to meet in Phoenix for convention 2013 because of Arizona's new immigration law.

Guyton said he hopes the church will also consider how to support Hispanic churches long term in addition to this decision. 

"I'm interested in the long term strategy of working at this issue, not just the convention issue," he said.



According to a written report from Rachel Swartzendruber Miller, director of convention planning, they have until Dec. 1 to decide on the location for the 2013 convention without an increase in penalty amounts.

The EB also appointed Kenneth Thompson, pastor of Friendship Community Church in Bronx, N.Y., to the board. Thompson was a columnist for Grace and Truth in The Mennonite.

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