Delegates approve new structure for Mennonite Church Canada

	Abbotsford 2001 sessions were held at Central Heights Mennonite Brethren Church. Registration numbers totalled nearly 600 adults and 420 youth. Photo by Daniel Rempel.

August 28, 2001

Winnipeg, Man.—In a unanimous expression of support, delegates at Abbotsford 2001 accepted plans for a new structure for Mennonite Church Canada. Delegates also strongly affirmed a vision of the church which places God's mission of healing and hope at the core of all the church's activities.

The new MC Canada and MC USA now have structures in place that will take over the work of the two binational bodies-the Mennonite Church and General Conference Mennonite Church-which will be phased out by February 2002 (see related stories on Nashville 2001).

Many long-standing structures will cease to exist, such as the Commission on Education (COE) and Mennonite Board of Congregational Ministries (MBCM), as well as the mission agenices: Commission on Overseas Mission (COM) and Mennonite Board of Missions (MBM).

MC Canada will take over these programs for Canada, dividing the work under two oversight bodies: a Christian Witness Council and a Christian Formation Council, each with 10 elected members. The Support Services Council, with 6 elected members, will provide the infrastructure to support the work of the other two councils.

After delegates approved this new structure, executive secretaries for each council were announced: Justina Heese for Formation, Jack Suderman for Witness and Pam Peters-Pries for Support Services.

Heese and Suderman, currently the executive secretaries of MC Canada's Resources and Ministries Commissions, respectively, assumed their new roles effective July 15. Peters-Pries, who has a wealth of church experience, is currently stewardship consultant for Mennonite Foundation and will assume her role in September.

The work of the Leadership Commission will fall under the Formation Council, with Henry Paetkau continuing as denominational minister.

Each council will have the power to create and disband sub-committees, reference groups and online "round table" groups to provide broad input on council programs. The new structure for MC Canada promises to deliver all the programs and resources now administered binationally, but with a more flexible and efficient organization, Canadian ownership and cultural relevance.

Currently, Canada represents one quarter of the total membership of the integrated Mennonite Church in North America. Canadian giving supported a quarter of the 120 binational staff located in the U.S., or 30 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, in addition to the 35 FTE staff in Canada.

Instead of these 65 FTE staff, 30 of which worked outside of Canada with salaries in American dollars, MC Canada will provide the same services, as well as some new programming, with 59 FTEs located in Canada, some of which may be dispersed among area conferences.

However, delegates and leadership expressed strong desire for continued partnership with U.S. Mennonites. MC Canada and USA will hold joint assemblies every four years starting in 2005, and will continue to partner in overseas missions and publishing.

Canada's Christian Witness council will cooperate with MC USA's new Mennonite Mission Network. These two bodies will take over the programs of the Commission on Overseas Missions, the Commission on Home Ministries, Mennonite Board of Missions and Canada's Ministries Commission.

No mission projects or workers are being terminated as a result of this transition. Canada will assume responsibility for Canadian overseas workers. Because Canada has 42 percent of the workers, but only 25 percent of the constituency that supports this work, Canada will receive transfer payments from MC USA to support its 38 workers.

Delegates expressed appreciation for the presentations and the opportunity to discuss them in "breakout groups." Each group had staff and board members present to answer questions, and a secretary recorded people's comments for further input in the ongoing evolution of MC Canada.

Moderator Ron Sawatsky voiced appreciation for the great trust placed in the General Board. He reminded delegates that the new bylaws can be revised if some aspects do not work as they should.

The new councils had their orientation meetings at Abbotsford and will have their first full meetings this fall in Manitoba.

To help delegates bring the news home, CD-ROMs containing the PowerPoint presentations made at the assembly were available. Members are encouraged to contact MC Canada at (204) 888-6781 with further questions about how the new national church will help its members participate in God's mission in the world.

-Daniel Rempel