Conference news from other Mennonites
Budget cuts shrink outreach
The U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches is cutting its budget by $200,000 as leaders grapple with lower church contributions and fundraising expectations.
The U.S. conference leadership board met May 1–3 in Bakersfield, Cal., and decided to shrink the denomination’s church planting and publishing efforts.
In March, conference staff combed through the budget and determined that a 48 percent reduction to Christian Leader publishing and a 60 percent cut to the Mission USA program budget were the best options.
The U.S. conference had frozen spending from March to May in an effort to end the fiscal year in the black.
“We’re facing a challenge in the fact that more than half of our churches are not participating with us financially in our national ministries,” said Ed Boschman, executive director of the U.S. conference. “We’re concerned about that, and we’re trying to address it.”
The 2009–10 budget is built on church contributions of $414,800, the lowest church-giving budget since 2003. Additional fundraising by staff is budgeted at $200,000, a 30 percent reduction over the 2008–09 fundraising goal. The leadership board approved a 2009–10 budget of $707,150. It includes a 15 percent reduction in administrative expenses.
Mennonites prioritize peace
MC Canada report
Delegates from across Canada met at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, June 5–7 for the 10th annual meeting of Mennonite Church Canada. The theme was “living inside out” (Colossians 3:12–17).
Peace and discernment were top discussion issues. Delegates voted unanimously in favour of a proposal calling MC Canada churches to “commit to publicly engage one local/regional [peace-related] issue per year for the next four years.” General secretary Robert J. Suderman’s paper on “being a faithful church” generated discussion: the direction of the paper was affirmed as a guide for the church in matters of unity and diversity, human sexuality, and other concerns.
Area churches reported on growth in their communities, many citing opportunities provided by newcomers to Canada.
MC Canada chief financial officer Randy Wiebe reported a $200,000 deficit driven by a loss in revenue, largely the result of donation reductions, a drop in bequest revenue, and investment loss.
After presentations, discussion on how frequently to meet indicated delegates still prefer annual gatherings.
U.S. Mennonites breathe in the Spirit
MC USA report
More than 7,500 Mennonites – including 4,200 high school youth and their sponsors – gathered in Columbus, Ohio, June 30–July 5, for Mennonite Church USA’s biennial convention, on the theme “Breathe and be filled” (John 20:21–22).
The 850 delegates passed 3 resolutions: opposing human trafficking, supporting health care access for all Americans, and calling the church to discernment on human sexuality. Delegates heard updates on the Corinthian health care plan for pastors, and on a new denominational office building in Elkhart, Ind. Dick Thomas of Ronks, Pa., was elected moderator for 2009–2013. The youth worshipped together, listened to speakers, and shared their views in “Speak Up!” sessions, including one with adult delegates.
Convention observer John Longhurst of Winnipeg noted the conference faces challenges, including decreasing giving and membership, and retaining youth, but overall, he observed, “Mennonite Church USA doesn’t look like a denomination in decline.”
The U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches is cutting its budget by $200,000 as leaders grapple with lower church contributions and fundraising expectations.The U.S. conference leadership board met May 1–3 in Bakersfield, Cal., and decided to shrink the denomination’s church planting and publishing efforts.
In March, conference staff combed through the budget and determined that a 48 percent reduction to Christian Leader publishing and a 60 percent cut to the Mission USA program budget were the best options.
The U.S. conference had frozen spending from March to May in an effort to end the fiscal year in the black.
“We’re facing a challenge in the fact that more than half of our churches are not participating with us financially in our national ministries,” said Ed Boschman, executive director of the U.S. conference. “We’re concerned about that, and we’re trying to address it.”
The 2009–10 budget is built on church contributions of $414,800, the lowest church-giving budget since 2003. Additional fundraising by staff is budgeted at $200,000, a 30 percent reduction over the 2008–09 fundraising goal. The leadership board approved a 2009–10 budget of $707,150. It includes a 15 percent reduction in administrative expenses.
—from Connie Faber, Christian Leader and Celeste Kennel-Shank, Mennonite Weekly Review
____________________________________________________________________
Mennonites prioritize peace
MC Canada report
Delegates from across Canada met at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, June 5–7 for the 10th annual meeting of Mennonite Church Canada. The theme was “living inside out” (Colossians 3:12–17). Peace and discernment were top discussion issues. Delegates voted unanimously in favour of a proposal calling MC Canada churches to “commit to publicly engage one local/regional [peace-related] issue per year for the next four years.” General secretary Robert J. Suderman’s paper on “being a faithful church” generated discussion: the direction of the paper was affirmed as a guide for the church in matters of unity and diversity, human sexuality, and other concerns.
Area churches reported on growth in their communities, many citing opportunities provided by newcomers to Canada.
MC Canada chief financial officer Randy Wiebe reported a $200,000 deficit driven by a loss in revenue, largely the result of donation reductions, a drop in bequest revenue, and investment loss.
After presentations, discussion on how frequently to meet indicated delegates still prefer annual gatherings.
—from reports, Canadian Mennonite
____________________________________________________________________
U.S. Mennonites breathe in the Spirit
MC USA report
More than 7,500 Mennonites – including 4,200 high school youth and their sponsors – gathered in Columbus, Ohio, June 30–July 5, for Mennonite Church USA’s biennial convention, on the theme “Breathe and be filled” (John 20:21–22). The 850 delegates passed 3 resolutions: opposing human trafficking, supporting health care access for all Americans, and calling the church to discernment on human sexuality. Delegates heard updates on the Corinthian health care plan for pastors, and on a new denominational office building in Elkhart, Ind. Dick Thomas of Ronks, Pa., was elected moderator for 2009–2013. The youth worshipped together, listened to speakers, and shared their views in “Speak Up!” sessions, including one with adult delegates.
Convention observer John Longhurst of Winnipeg noted the conference faces challenges, including decreasing giving and membership, and retaining youth, but overall, he observed, “Mennonite Church USA doesn’t look like a denomination in decline.”
—from reports
