The Partners in Mission
category is a way of establishing a formal relationship between Central Plains
Mennonite Conference and other entities, either individuals or groups, that is
somewhere between casual acquaintance and formal membership in Central Plains.
Rationale:
As we develop a more missional model of church,
we need to develop more options in order to be flexible in our
relationships.
We are being approached by individuals and groups
who are interested in learning more about Mennonites, and feel drawn to an
Anabaptist theology. They may not
be ready to move to formal membership in the conference, but would like,
and need, a relationship in order to learn more.
There are other groups and individuals who are on
the same journey of faith as we are, and are living out the missional
vision of the church in new and exciting ways. We can learn much from them, and would
benefit from a mutually agreed relationship.
Some potential partners, as
examples: Emerging Church groups, The Mennonite churches of Ecuador.
The intention of Partners in Mission is to link hands
with congregations and networks of churches near and far with whom we have a
spiritual and missional affinity, and with whom we will experience a synergy
that will mutually benefit us in carrying out God’s mission. For various reasons some of these
congregations or ministries may not wish to formally affiliate with our
Conference or Mennonite ChurchUSA. However, they appreciate our historical
tradition, our missional experience, the structures for support and counsel we
can offer, and our understanding of faith and practice. And in turn some of these congregations and
ministries have experiences in mission, connections to people that we lack in
our Conference, and a faith that will enliven our Conference and
congregations. Through a relationship of
trust and mutuality we can exchange gifts, and enlarge the mission of one
another.
The leaders of CPMC believe
the future of the church will be characterized by dynamic partnerships such as
those described above. Entering into
such partnerships need not result in diluting our faith or diminishing our
commitment to a Mennonite understanding of faith. Rather these partnerships may enrich our
faith, enlarge our mission, and enhance the purposes of God for the
church.
The
vision is for CPMC to enter into partnerships with congregations and other
ministries not affiliated with our Conference without granting the privileges
of membership. Through this partnership
the Conference will receive the benefits of expanded missional experience and
opportunities. Those designated as a
Partner in Mission
will be asked to indicate their affinity with our Confession of Faith and our
perspectives on mission (including our affirmation of reconciliation and
nonviolence). A “memo of understanding”
defining the relational, programmatic, and financial expectations of the
partnership will guide the relationship.
The Conference Council will formalize any Partners In Mission
relationship, and the delegates to the Annual Assembly will be invited to
affirm this action. The intention is to
be relational and flexible in these partnerships.
*Partners In Mission is a
category developed by the Franconia Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church
USA. The name, descriptions, and many of
the ideas put forth here are borrowed, with permission, from their
documents.
Approved and recommended to
the delegate body for approval for a two year trial period by Conference Council action, February 21,
2009.
