Mennonite World Conference focuses on building communion
The executive committee of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) met in the Philippines July 31–August 5 to discuss building global communion, the 2009 assembly in Paraguay, strengthening relations with Asian and African continental churches, and to hear reports from the worldwide church.
The Integrated Mennonite Church of the Philippines hosted the meetings attended by two members from each of the five continental regions, including David Wiebe, executive director of the Canadian MB conference. Fourteen countries were represented in addition to Asia Mennonite Conference (AMC) executive committee members from Japan and India, and leaders from the Integrated Mennonite Church of the Philippines.
Strengthening links between MWC and other Mennonite organizations was a focus of the meetings. The image of a heart – one unit with four chambers – illustrated the holistic way the Global Mission Fellowship will function as part of MWC’s General Council Mission Commission. The AMC’s proposal to integrate with MWC’s Asia Caucus was approved. Representatives from Africa also brought a proposal concerning future relationships among Mennonite and Brethren in Christ in Africa and with the MWC.
“It distresses me to see how easily some of us dismiss our global fellowship,” said Wiebe of the Canadian church’s tendency to connect with popular North American leaders and speakers regardless of their theological background. “We can learn a lot from our association [with the Anabaptist global family], especially when we develop relationships.”
Fundraising for Assembly 15 in Paraguay is on target; more than 130 have registered and 700 are signed on to tours. The theme of the 2009 conference is “Come together in the way of Christ.”
The Integrated Mennonite Church of the Philippines hosted the meetings attended by two members from each of the five continental regions, including David Wiebe, executive director of the Canadian MB conference. Fourteen countries were represented in addition to Asia Mennonite Conference (AMC) executive committee members from Japan and India, and leaders from the Integrated Mennonite Church of the Philippines.
Strengthening links between MWC and other Mennonite organizations was a focus of the meetings. The image of a heart – one unit with four chambers – illustrated the holistic way the Global Mission Fellowship will function as part of MWC’s General Council Mission Commission. The AMC’s proposal to integrate with MWC’s Asia Caucus was approved. Representatives from Africa also brought a proposal concerning future relationships among Mennonite and Brethren in Christ in Africa and with the MWC.
“It distresses me to see how easily some of us dismiss our global fellowship,” said Wiebe of the Canadian church’s tendency to connect with popular North American leaders and speakers regardless of their theological background. “We can learn a lot from our association [with the Anabaptist global family], especially when we develop relationships.”
Fundraising for Assembly 15 in Paraguay is on target; more than 130 have registered and 700 are signed on to tours. The theme of the 2009 conference is “Come together in the way of Christ.”
—from MWC and MB Herald files
