A body a living organism July, 2007

It is a painting It is one picture

Paintings can: Be beautiful Tell a story Inspire, motivate, and challenge Inform and communicate

This is a painting of our church! “God’s People Now”

God’s People Now – This picture is… Encouraging Amazing Complex

Let us prepare to: Understand that we function as a body; Reaffirm our commitment to be together; Celebrate the generosity among us; Marvel at how we extend our reach when we work together; Explore the challenges and opportunities Invite counsel and discussion;

Listen… Whatever you Got by Bryan Moyer Suderman copyright 2005, used by permission”. Available from

1 Corinthians 12

One is the Body One is the body and one is the Head, One is the spirit by whom we are led; One God and Father, One faith and one call for all. Text and Music by John L. Bell © WGRG The Iona Community (Scotland). Used by permission. OneLicense.net License #S

Christ who ascended to heaven above Is the same Jesus whose nature is love, Who once descended To bring to this earth new birth. Text and Music by John L. Bell © WGRG The Iona Community (Scotland). Used by permission. OneLicense.net License #S

Gifts have been given well suited to each, Some to be prophets, to pastor or preach, Some, through the Gospel, To challenge, convert and teach. Text and Music by John L. Bell © WGRG The Iona Community (Scotland). Used by permission. OneLicense.net License #S

Called to his service are women and men So that his body might ever again Witness through worship, Through deed and through word to Christ our Lord. Text and Music by John L. Bell © WGRG The Iona Community (Scotland). Used by permission. OneLicense.net License #S

Who is Mennonite Church Canada? Church Mennonite Canadian

Who is Mennonite Church Canada? Mennonite Church Canada Program Mennonite Church Canada Witness Christian Formation Council Support Services General Board Finance Department Partnership Ministries Finance and Audit Committee Faith and Life Committee

Denomination Who is Mennonite Church Canada? Program 33,123 MembersMany more impacted MCBC – 32 Congregations MCA – 17 Congregations MC Sask – 33 Congregations MCM – 51 Congregations MCEC – 93 Congregations

Governance Links Denomination Who is Mennonite Church Canada? Program

Governance links… Mennonite World Conference Mennonite Foundation of Canada Mennonite Central Committee (Provincial, National, and Bi-national) Mennonite Central Committee Mennonite Disaster Service Canadian Council of Churches Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Canadian Council of Anabaptist Leaders Christian Peacemaker Teams Canadian Women in Mission Mennonite Men Canadian Mennonite University Conrad Grebel University College Columbia Bible College Assoc. Mennonite Biblical Seminary Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre Winnipeg Ctr. for Ministry Studies Canadian Assoc. of Mennonite Schools Mennonite Voluntary Service Adventure Canadian Mennonite Mennonite Publishing Network Global Mission Fellowship Creation Care Network Mennonite Camping Organization

Who is Mennonite Church Canada? Global Connections Governance Links Denomination Program

Global Connections… 16 National churches (Cuba, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Germany, Ukraine, Hong Kong, China, Congo, Ethiopia, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Mexico, NAVF) 16 National churches: Cuba, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ukraine Germany, Burkina Faso, Hong Kong, Congo, Ethiopia South Africa, Mexico Mennonite Mission Network African Inter-Mennonite Mission Mennonite Partners in China Macau Ministry Partnership Korean Anabaptist Centre Korea Anabaptist Mission Fellowship Vietnamese Reference Council North American Mission Fellowship London Anabaptist Centre Philippines Ministry Partnership Council Native Mennonite Ministries Aboriginal Neighbours Mennonite Economic Development Associates MEDA Council of International Anabaptist Ministries Project Ploughshares Conscience Canada Kairos North American Vietnamese Fellowship NAVF

Some Snapshots… 349 Pastors are actively engaged in ministry positions across Canada

Some Snapshots… Approx. $40 Million given annually to congregations of Mennonite Church Canada Distributed as follows: 79% on ministries conducted locally 16% on ministries in the region or in Canada 5% on ministries conducted beyond Canadian borders

Some Snapshots… Approx. $40 Million given annually by members but beyond the congregations of Mennonite Church Canada $260/person is the national average for giving to charity $1200/person is the average for giving by Mennonite Church Canada constituents.

Some Snapshots… Approximately $100 million of ministry activity connected to the Mennonite Church Canada system

…Raising funds 26 partners are actively looking for funding 80,000 actively charities in Canada today Some Snapshots…

Relief and Development Leadership development and Education MCC MDS MEDA Youth Pastors Mennonite High Schools Mennonite Colleges Bursaries Seminary Training Some Snapshots…

Multiplying effect as we have worked together.

Summary Our limited resources are expanding. God has nurtured a generous heart among us. We are a gifted people. We can see God’s strategy of people-hood at work.

For Discussion: 1.How is this Body doing? 2.What are the opportunities and challenges that we all need to pay attention to that you see from your place in this Body?

Challenges To see the whole even while focusing on the particular To be involved in the challenges of the Body To support, trust, and celebrate all parts even when we can’t be closely involved with each part To continue healthy dialogue on how each part implements the same missional vision To embrace responsibility for and accountability to the Body