IN-MI Transition Team Responds – Part III

At the cluster meetings this spring, the IN-MI Transition Team sought delegate feedback about how best to describe the adaptive and technical leadership desired from a Lead Conference Minister. Along with feedback came questions about the timeline and details of the new structure. Leading up to our June 19-21 Annual Sessions at Westview Junior-Senior High School, we are addressing some of those questions.

5. What incentive is there for congregations to support conference? Are there things we can do because we are together instead of separate?

This is a great question. What benefits come from participating in conference? Whatever they are, 20-some congregations did not find them valuable enough to stay. Some departing congregations joined different networks of churches and others remained unaffiliated. The role of conference (middle judicatory) is a real question in many faith traditions right now. Churches network with others through conference calls and the internet. They purchase counsel through consultants. They contract for mediation help through outside organizations. What good does conference membership provide?

Here are some benefits of participating in IN-MI Mennonite Conference today.

a) As God calls people to be part of something bigger than themselves, so God calls congregations to be part of something bigger than themselves. Conference can be that “something bigger.” Conference can provide counsel and accountability through a network of pastors and congregations who have similar convictions about the gospel. Conference can remind congregations the world is larger than their setting. In addition, conference membership is the way a congregation becomes part of Mennonite Church USA, an even larger “something bigger” we can be part of.

b) Membership in IN-MI Conference means linking arms with congregations who share similar theological and missional commitments. The new mission statement declares an intent to cultivate a missional imagination. Conference is a community of Anabaptist congregations gathering around this idea of imaginatively incarnating Jesus in our contexts. Congregations with similar missional emphases learn from and support one another. Area councils, cluster meetings and summer sessions are all opportunities to learn and connect.

c) Being part of conference opens doors for help with pastoral search processes, leadership development, leadership licensing and ordination. In our system, conference carries the legal liability for ministerial credentialing, conduct and discipline. In addition, IN-MI Conference provides resources for leadership development. Consider these resources: pastor networks (ReFocusing and Missional Leader), Journey, Lead Now (high school), Know Jesus (junior high), and Pastoral Leadership Team Weekend.

d) Many church institutions began because someone saw a possibility. The new structure promotes, and even depends, on those kinds of initiatives and connections. Amigo Centre and Bethany Christian Schools both began as someone’s vision. What new ideas for cooperative ministry will emerge as people imagine new possibilities? Undoubtedly new ideas are already taking shape in the minds and hearts of key innovators. The minimal structure is intended to be agile so it can encourage such entrepreneurial endeavors.

6. Need more clarity about expectations for accountability of congregations.

Often when we talk about accountability among ourselves, we mean adherence to particular theological and moral positions. The proposal shifts the emphasis of accountability toward questions of consistency with our stated mission. How is the congregation “cultivating a missional imagination?” How is it living into its own understanding of God’s call to be Christ in the world? Previous processes for addressing differences remain in place.

The Listening and Redesign proposal calls for each congregation to formally designate its IN-MI Conference accountability channel. To date we assumed each congregation did connect to an area council, an overseer and the conference regional minister. This will remain the default mode. In reality, many congregations have no overseer. Some congregational leaders decline participation in area council, and at least one area council has not been functional. Having each congregation declare their choice of accountability is an attempt to clarify the reality, invite stronger connections, and encourage new thinking about the “a” word—accountability. This re-thinking might give rise to adjusted roles for area councils and overseers.

Details and deadlines are not set. However, congregations can begin clarifying their relationships at any time. Area councils might be a good place to explore what intentional connectedness might look like.

7. Don’t some positions have a lot of power in the new structure?

Questions of power generally focus on the down-sized governing body and the Lead Conference Minister position. The Listening and Redesign proposal moves toward a leaner structure that is agile and responsive to changing situations. Thus the Missional Leadership Team will be seven people, rather than the present dozen or so people. On behalf of the constituents, and in contact with them, the MLT will discern overall policy and direction. The Lead Conference Minister will have authority in the structure’s daily function and be accountable to the MLT for effectiveness.

This does give the MLT and LCM more delegated authority to lead, a move that embraces a certain set of benefits and challenges. We believe accountability connections will provide a structure within which leadership can function for the good of the whole. No answer is perfect. Every mix of benefits and challenges has drawbacks. Recognizing this, we commit to thoughtfully moving ahead, prayerfully discerning leadership nominations, and carefully orienting leadership groups to their responsibilities. We also encourage prayer for those who will step into these new roles.