Hilda Hildebrand (Moderator, Mennonite Church Canada)

Five years ago, leaders of the national and area churches reflected together on the future of the Mennonite Church in Canada. We met together for prayer, worship, laughter and lament.

As we considered current trends, our social and cultural context, congregational expectations, and much more, we recognized our challenge to serve God and the church more effectively and in a more unified way.

This meeting led to many more conversations and the appointment of the Future Directions Task Force that has been working on behalf of our national and area churches.

As we enter into this time focused on Future Directions, I turn it over to the Task Force to begin with prayer and then guide us through this presentation.

Anita Ratzlaff (SK)

Prayer

Aldred Neufeldt (Task Force Chair)

The work of the Future Directions Task Force focused on two main questions: 1.What is God’s Spirit calling us to in the 21 st century? 2.What are the best ways for the church to thrive and grow?

In these, we have been guided by our vision statement: God calls us to be followers of Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit to grow as communities of grace, joy, and peace so that God’s healing and hope flow through us to the world.

Gerald Gerbrandt (MB)

Our previous reports mention the research, input from a broad range of groups and experts, and conversations with countless individuals that informed a number of interim documents for testing of ideas, principles, and directions with constituents at area church and national assemblies in 2013 and 2014.

In November 2015 a penultimate draft of our Final Report was submitted for review by the General Board, accepted in principle, and released in December for consideration by our nation-wide church body.

Chad Miller (AB)

At its heart, the Report envisions: Strong, healthy and vital congregations as centres of worship, faith formation, supportive communities, and mission; Strong regional churches connecting, supporting, and empowering congregations in ministry locally and in the larger church;

A strong national church that resources area churches for ministry locally, regionally, and internationally, and fosters strong national identity as a Mennonite Anabaptist faith community. To lead, it proposes a simpler, more integrated organizational structure.

Ken Warkentin (MB)

Release of our Final Report was followed by critical scrutiny, conversation, and sometimes intense debate on various propositions. That is as it should be. It’s in engaging with the content of the report that clarity emerges.

Starting in early February and ending late April, all five Area Churches brought the report to their respective annual meetings for delegate consideration, debate, and action.

Four approved the Report in principle, and one (Alberta) decided not to decide until it had more information addressing its particular needs. The Report is now brought to Assembly 2016 for final joint review and action.

Terry Keller (ON)

In early May after reviewing feedback from area churches, and after many written responses and oral conversations, the Task Force prepared an Addendum as in the Discernment Guide. It identified six common areas of concern and suggested responses:

1. On process: That prior to implementation, there be an opportunity to vote on a more fully developed proposal no later than July 2018, with on-going consultation with congregations during the transition phase on development and refinement of major program directions.

2. On structure: That the final proposal incorporate some form of area church delegate involvement in the governance of national agenda and priorities.

3. On national identity: That the final proposal include a provision for national gatherings for study, fellowship, worship, and discernment.

April Yamasaki (BC)

4. On international relations and witness: That a formal conversation be undertaken (via a working group, conference, or other means) to review our future vision and strategy for international relationships and witness, to be completed by December 2017.

5. On vulnerable area churches: That a final proposal include concrete provisions that recognize and respond to the vulnerability of the smaller area churches.

6. On financial and emotional sustainability: That a formal conversation be undertaken (via a working group, conference, or other means) to build on the Report and engage congregations to: (a) dream about how to live out the gospel of Christ locally, across Canada, and abroad; (b) think creatively on how congregations can resource our common life together in being the church; and in the short term, (c) work together and generously support our mutual ministry and transition from where we are to where God invites us to be.

Rebecca Steiner (ON/MB)

As we look back at the work that has taken place, as we look forward to the future, as we look around us to one another, there are elements of lament and signs of hope. Please join me in a litany of lament, and when you hear “O Lord” please join me in responding: “hear our prayers.”

O Lord, hear our prayers. We gather our laments, and give name to our fears. We draw our doubts, questions, and insecurities together.

We lament Over conversations we have not had. Over confusion and misunderstanding that has been stirred. Over stunted vision and hurt. O Lord, hear our prayers.

We fear we’ve waded too deep Left the security of shore, and Strayed into murky waters Swimming in depths too great and too dark.

We fear we’ve not gone deep enough Staying in the shallow, tepid pools. Not asking the right questions Not getting out of the boat Not having the faith to take risk O Lord, hear our prayers.

We fear this will pass And we will be caught in a future we don’t understand In a church we don’t recognize In a system that swirls and circles

We fear this will not pass And we will be left in confusion Back at square one Without a direction O Lord, hear our prayers.

We are afraid of losing Identity, Witness, Formation, Heritage, Scope, Stock in something greater than ourselves.

We are afraid of what is next Movement, Change, Being shaken. Stagnancy, Status quo, O Lord, hear our prayers.

As we acknowledge our fears and lament before you, We also give thanks that you receive them, and offer us mercy and hope. Amen.

Sharing As a Task Force, we invited 3 members of the church from across Canada to share some of their hopes as they relate to our future discussions. They are Laura Carr-Pries who is suggested by the Emerging Voices Group, Lee Dyck who has a deep love for the Church and is Moderator of MCBC, and Dann Pantoja, witness worker in the Philippines.

Sharing Regrettably, Dann mother passed away unexpectedly so he returned to Manila. He has given permission to share on his behalf, read by April Yamasaki. They will each now share briefly with us before we move on to table group discussion.

Laura Carr-Pries (ON)

Lee Dyck (BC)

Dann Pantoja (Philippines)

Table Discussion We now invite you to respond in your table group discussion. The question we have for you is: In this discernment on our future directions, what resonates with you?