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Jack Suderman
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Much has been said about the cutbacks in
ministry experienced by Mennonite Church Canada Witness. I would like to focus
on what has not been
cut. The ministries that are left provide a glimpse into how our elected
decision-makers imagine the essential nature of the church of the
future. This is
an important
picture. According to these decisions, the future Mennonite Church
Canada will reflect the following important characteristics:
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It will be a missional church: Witness’ capacity to help congregations
imagine a missional future is strong. This imagination includes being
the church locally, regionally, and nationally: “from across the
street to around the world.” We urge congregations to make use of
the missional formation resources and processes that continue
to be available.
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It will be a church active in relevant ministry: Anabaptist heritage
nurtured by a renewed missional vision point to a relevant and
active future for the
church. By cutting back local/regional program coordinated from
Winnipeg, decision-makers have indicated their confidence in the
imagination for
ministry by dynamic,
energetic, and enthusiastic local, missional congregations and
regional area conferences. This confidence is premised on the strong
capacity for
missional
formation affirmed in the new structures.
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It will be a praying church: The commitment to prayer is growing.
We will continue to encourage your commitment to prayer
through the PrayerNet. We
have experienced the strength of prayer and trust
that this ministry will continue to inspire support.
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It will be a culturally diverse church: The strong
support for Multi-Cultural Ministry indicates
that the future church is seen to be
a culturally
diverse church. Our efforts to connect with,
learn from, and make space for many
cultures and languages are seen as central for
the future of our church.
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It will be a contextually prophetic church: The decision to maintain
a transformed Native Ministry department is a signal that as
a church we are committed to accompanying our congregations and the
Native communities
in
our/their search
for integral justice and wholeness. We understand the potential
of our reconciled futures to be as intertwined as the reality of
our discordant histories.
We will seek this mutual future by encouraging the growth of
communities of Christian
faith that break down the walls of hostility through the cross
of Christ, thus creating peace (Ephesians 2:1-11).
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It will be a networking and partnering church: In the 21st century,
ministry is networked. Congregations are invited to consider engaging
ministry via partnership. By maintaining a strong Congregational
Partnership department,
Witness is poised
to resource and facilitate such partnership for ministry at home
and around
the world.
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It will be a globally-connected church: Mennonite Church Canada
wants to take its membership in Mennonite World Conference seriously
and be
available for ministry with partners around the world. The decision
to keep our International
Ministries department strong reflects this commitment, and demonstrates
that Witness should continue to lead the church in making
such ministry possible.
These ministries, considered essential for Mennonite Church Canada Witness,
provide a strong framework for the future relevance of our church. What
is available merits the support and participation of our members, congregations,
and area conferences. Yet important questions and challenges remain. Let
me identify some of these as well:
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By eliminating our Peace and Justice Department, we are challenged
to incorporate our peace witness into all parts of our witness
and ministry, in congregations, area conferences, and in related
organizations. We know
from our history that this has been tried before. We will
need to be intentional about this. If we meet the challenge,
our church will
indeed be strengthened
by this decision. If we don’t we will be considerably weakened.
We will need to pray for much wisdom and courage to respond
to this challenge.
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Can we imagine new channels to facilitate Christian Service, now
that this department will be closed? How will we continue to nourish
our understanding
that our faith needs to be expressed in service to others? The
decision-makers knew that many avenues for service are available
in related organizations.
What are the implications of disconnecting such opportunities
from identity with the national church? These are critical questions
that will be clarified
only with time. This is, however, a huge challenge to the entire
church.
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While our Native Ministry department remains, the intimate work of
providing front-line pastoral and counseling service to selected
Native communities and persons in selected geographical areas does
not. How will
close relationships be nurtured? What can we offer and receive from
an arrangement that is more “arms length?” Much discernment
and creativity will be needed at all levels of the church to continue
this relationship
in a mutually uplifting way.
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We understand that the heart of God desires the establishment of
new and growing communities of faith. Yet we have eliminated national
leadership in coordinating and developing national strategies
and facilitating resources
for church planting. This agenda is now fully on the slate of
the congregations and area conferences. Will we lose the momentum
in the
planting of new churches
that is building in area conferences? Do we need to find a continuing
role for the national church in this crucial ministry?
The church, as the body of Christ, continues its journey of faithful response
to the urgings of the Spirit in our midst. We need the discernment of all.
We appreciate your counsel, and prayers. We also continue to need your financial
support so that we can deliver the ministries that have been deemed to be
essential for all.
Robert J. Suderman
Executive Secretary
Mennonite Church Canada Witness |
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