2008 PNMC Delegate Sessions
Canby Grove Conference Center Ð Canby, Oregon
June 27-28, 2008
Session I, 1:00 pm Ð 2:30 pm
Conference Minister Duncan Smith opened the session with prayer. Don Bacher led singing.
Moderator Charlotte Hardt welcomed the delegates and non-delegates to the 2008 sessions and thanked those who were involved in planning this yearÕs conference.
Pat Hershberger shared about the current happenings in Zimbabwe and offered a prayer for our fellow believers there. She asked us to continue to be in prayer for the workers who are currently there.
Conference Minister Sheldon Burkhalter introduced the members of The River Mennonite Church in Bend, Oregon and shared background of the formation of the group. Pastor Sam Adams read their mission statement and vision statement. The delegates signified their vote/affirmation by standing. Sheldon led in a prayer of blessing.
Charlotte asked for any additions or corrections to the Minutes of the 2007 Delegate Sessions. One addition noted was to add Victor VargasÕ name to ÒBlessing of Conference MinistersÓ on page 8. Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as amended. Motion passed.
Marlene Kroeker Ð Mennonite Mission Network
Gilberto Flores Ð MCUSA
Gerd Bartel Ð Moderator, Mennonite Church British Columbia
Dale Shrag Ð Bethel College
Russ Eanes Ð Mennonite Publishing Network
Anne Hege Ð Mennonite Education Agency (representing Director Carlos Romero)
Manuel Ruiz Ð NW Mexico
Charlotte Hardt and Dave Hockman-Wert presented the following resolution as printed on page 9 of the delegate book.
Resolution: Whereas the monies now held in the Revolving Fund were received without designation for a particular use,
The PNMC delegates resolve to dissolve the Revolving Fund and use the money in this fund for general PNMC needs now and into the future.
A motion was made and seconded to accept the resolution.
Comments:
á Jeanne Zook shared more history of this fund Ð it was used for start-up churches; if fund dissolved, will we still have start-up funding available for new churches?
á Ben Kanagy Ð understands there were specific purposes for this fund when received.
á Virgil Peters Ð fund was set up for loans and equipment for churches starting out.
á Cecil Miller Ð when he researched it, it was a menagerie of where the funds came from and what it was used for.
Charlotte clarified that we are not asking to get rid of the funds but to use them for general conference needs. There is currently $156,000 in the fund. There are currently no outstanding loans connected to this funding.
More Comments:
á Clifford Brenneman Ð doesnÕt like the word Òdissolved.Ó
á Ray Kauffman Ð compromise would be not to dissolve the fund but keep it and use interest for general needs and keep the principal for loans.
á Don Bacher Ð the knowledge of this fund resides in the minds of those that were around when it originated. Several years ago, he took information to a CPA and was told the interest was not applied appropriately and the amount it showed was not correct. At that point the Board designated $300,000 and the interest is the $84,000.
Charlotte called for a vote on the resolution as presented. Motion was passed.
Table Group Introductions
Table group members took time to introduce themselves to each other and covenant to work together faithfully.
Moderator-Elect Dave Hockman-Wert recapped the Transition Team Report, noting that updates/articles have been printed in the Evangel. Two years ago the delegates passed the new mission/vision statement, and last year passed the structure proposal. A Transition Team was put together to get the new structure going. Dave reported that they are not finished, but just getting started. Three groups have been working hard Ð bylaws, personnel, and passion-based ministries. There will be a seminar on Saturday at 1:15 where we will talk more about passion-based ministries. The budget and staffing structure are intertwined. The capacity building process has started with Mark Vincent heading up the process for getting us launched on capacity building.
Treasurer Don Bacher announced that all the delegates should have received an updated budget in their registration packet. A real attempt has been made to balance the budget as directed by the delegates last year. Don requested that we pray this weekend that someone is touched to become conference treasurer.
Dave gave a brief explanation of the process of developing the draft bylaws over the last year. These will be provisional bylaws that we will function under during the next year. A motion was made and seconded to accept the draft bylaws as provisional bylaws for the next year until 2009.
Comments:
Some were confused by the wording Òprovisional.Ó
It was noted that delegates will vote on the final bylaws document at the 2009 annual meeting.
A section on Constituency Groups needs to be added to the organizational structure document that describes functional teams, passion-based ministries, and the Conference Communication Council.
Motion carried.
The ballot for the PNMC Teams was presented, with the addition of Charlotte Derksen for the Secretary position. Charlotte Hardt called for affirmation of the ballot as amended. Motion was made to accept the ballot, seconded, and passed.
A motion was made and seconded that the Board be given authority to fill the missing slots. The Board was urged to keep a balance of states involved while filling positions. Motion carried.
Don Bacher led a closing song and Gilberto Flores closed with prayer.
Session II, 10:30 am Ð 12:00 pm
Prayer and Singing
Don Bacher led in singing and Sheldon Burkhalter gave the opening prayer.
Roll Call of Congregations
Diane Isaak called the roll of member churches, with delegates from each congregation standing to be recognized. MIP congregations and Chaplains were also recognized.
Conference Minister Duncan Smith shared that with the changes we are experiencing in PNMC, there are still constants. GodÕs presence is with us; congregations are striving; congregations are struggling; God brings us new people and new ministries; God raises up new leaders; there is conflict; there is diversity; there is rootedness in Jesus Christ; we have 36 member congregations, 2 MIPÕs; we are now in 6 states with the addition of the congregation in Utah; our conference has over 3,000 worshipping people.
It is an interesting time as we go through this time of transition. Changes are happening in the structure that bring concern, uncertainty, and new possibilities. Ministry does not serve structure, but structure serves ministry. Duncan concluded with some words of encouragement: 1) stay engaged with each other, 2) trust in GodÕs presence, and 3) be radical Ð donÕt be afraid to go to new places that God calls you to go.
á Gilberto Flores, MCUSA, reported on some of the priorities in MCUSA, including leadership development, global connection, and antiracist church.
á Marlene Kroeker, Mennonite Mission Network, reported they are in the process of creating a place/center for many difference agencies to be working together.
á Anne Hege, Mennonite Education Agency, shared a story of an individual who received training/education through MEA.
á Russ Eanes, Mennonite Publishing Network, shared how their new center will allow more collaborations with other agencies. He recognized local author Cathleen Hockman-Wert, and shared examples of new material Ð Sing the Story, Road Signs for the Journey.
á Keith Harder, MCUSA, reported that the delegates at San Jose passed a resolution to implement a plan where all pastors have access to health insurance and health care. A Project Team has been working on a model that is now being shared in churches across the denomination, and he invited us to be part of the process and conversations.
CIHAN Moderator Samuel Moran shared with the delegates on what it means to be a multi-cultural conference and then the table groups spent time in discussion.
á Anglos learn Spanish.
á Involvement/support of national issues involving other cultures Ð walls on border, etc.
á Maintain mix of both cultures Ð not either/or.
How are we doing?
á Number of problems and obstacles need to be identified and ideas of how to overcome them.
o Social barriers and language barriers (e.g. each sit at own table at potlucks)
o Church background Ð long and short term experience
o Different theological and cultural ideas
á Conference intentionally working to become multi-cultural Ð 1st step.
á More Spanish-speaking delegates here.
á Having everything translated in both languages.
á What happens when more than two languages?
á The question of integration between and within congregations or having separate congregations and the value of either or the value of both (power issues, valuing, etc.)
á Maybe celebration times.
á Need bridge builders to help us learn of other cultures.
á CanÕt always be challenged to stretch out of comfort zone.
á French congregation, Vietnamese/Asian Ð delegate books Ð translated into all languages?
á Have started to build transportation fund to get to conference.
á We are way behind schools.
á Doing well on making sure translation is available at conference.
á We are much stronger together than separate. It is biblical that we come together and share our resources.
á How can Anglos, with their generally greater wealth and privilege, be better partners with Latino churches? (Latino response: ÒIt is simple, taking our directive from God and JesusÕ teachings.Ó)
á The partnership among the Salem churches is an effective model and should be replicated in other communities.
Things we are doing well.
á Making progress. Calvary much closer to Hispanic group that utilizes our church. Children are integrated. Group is growing. Joint service and joint band once per month.
á I think better than 3 years ago. Lot more communion. Things to improve. Young people, kids and adults feel good together. Youth go with American pastor.
á Twenty years completely Espanol. Thirty years ago from Puerto Rico Ð took phone books. No one had services in Espanol Ð visited several. Sharing more.
á Our church all Spanish-speaking, different visitors. Not communion with Anglo.
á We are a body of Christ and Christ is the head of the body. I am among my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
á There are a lot of efforts being made, but there are some blind spots. As we talk more with new people we become aware of the blind spots. For so long blacks and Hispanics have been treated as second-class citizens, and the only way we can work at that is to develop genuine, long-term friendships. We have to accept people for who they are.
á I see a lot of positive steps. Even in our gathering here, we make everything bi-lingual. But racism is always about power. The CIHAN proposal reflects that we have a long way to go. We share our building with a Spanish speaking church, and Manuel is a very good friend. But when we meet it is very clear that I am the landlord and I donÕt know what to do about it.
á I am excited that CIHAN is providing us with the first district pastor. It encourages me that maybe some day we wonÕt have to think about race. I am thrilled that CIHAN is showing us how to take on the district pastor role, they are providing us with leadership instead us providing them with leadership.
á For the next 6 months Victor Vargas will be my conference minister. IÕm looking forward to that because there can be some real fruitfulness in having someone from a different culture as my overseer.
á We had a situation like that when we were in the Congo. Some people welcomed it and some people just left. There are men and women of God in every culture.
á I wonder if we will reach the point some day when we have a Spanish speaking main resource person and people who need headphones for English translation. In some ways we experienced that this morning.
How are we doing with this?
á Individual congregations are making efforts such as Salem Mennonite Church which is reaching out to its neighbors who are mostly Hispanic (through a community center which sponsors a family-friendly fun night, ESL classes, homework club, parenting class, soccer club, etc.) and reaching out to its sister church (Comunidad Christiano de Vida Nueva). As a conference, PNMC is probably more diverse than other conferences.
How do we become more multicultural?
á Continue to make being multicultural a priority in all realms (gender, races Ð including poor working whites Ð languages, disabled, etc.) and not feeling like weÕve accomplished it by a simple show of diversity. This means going out to others outside the confines of the church building and working with other groups. An example of this would be to include other cultures to help build new traditions and even songs, so we can sing our songs together rather than Hispanic or Anglo songs (for example).
How are we doing?
á Lots of ÒminorityÓ churches.
á But we are separate.
á Translation provided at conference.
á Need to celebrate all cultures.
á Need to recognize ÒMennonitenessÓ of Hispanic churches.
á Can we learn from Catholics?
What does multi-cultural mean?
á Cross connections outside of church.
á Supporting folks from other cultures, even if we donÕt see each other every week.
á To financially support a conference is to be part of a conference.
á There needs to be more financial support from the Anglos and other kinds of support from the Hispanic.
á We need to have an intentional relationshipÑto determine we have a connection, even if we donÕt understand each other.
á This is on both sides, not just one side.
á We shouldnÕt be patronizing, but welcoming as equals.
á We need to respect each other without losing our values, but learn how others do what we do differently.
á Multi-culturalismÑis it the same as multi-ethnic?
á How can we connect with each other? Cross cultural Pastor-swaps for a week. Have CIHAN host an annual meeting. Ask the Hispanic churches how they could contribute apart from finances.
á We need to go beyond ourselves to reach out to those outside of our culture.
How are we doing?
á Homogenous Ð white middle class. ÒSort of us/them.Ó
á Some multi-cultural in church, but mostly white.
á Using food/potlucks can break boundaries Ð share culture.
á Latino church encouraging Latinos to be a part of larger Mennonite church.
á Outreach to local Latino community.
How can we improve?
á Share space with other congregations Ð Mennonite and non-Mennonite can integrate more.
á Effort necessary.
á Become more welcoming Ð how to cross cultures?
á In worship, conference and otherwise to be multi-cultural Ð honoring each other (i.e. each group(s) lead worship, lead in activities).
á Taking little steps.
á Celebrate victories together, i.e. Family Loas daughter graduated from college Ð church celebrated.
á Mennonites (white) try to see ourselves a majority Ð not a persecuted minority to then be brave and reach out to others.
What are we seeing in PNMC?
á Members who do a lot but not on congregational level.
á We welcome change but donÕt want to change.
á Encouraging to see involvement of Hispanic.
á Anglo-Hispanic participation Ð growing participation over last decade.
á Still a long way to go with multiculturalism but also over theological, political, cultural, urban/rural differences.
á Concern for leadership development in all churches including ethnic/minority churches.
á Concern for not having enough on encouraging women in ministry and leadership roles in PNMC.
á Need for Spanish-speaking people on boards and leadership.
á How to develop multicultural congregations.
What works?
á Working with kids in multicultural situations Ð kids often better at speaking English.
á Starting small.
A motion was made and seconded to adopt the budget as presented.
Comments and questions:
á Lynn Miller asked for clarification of when voting for budget, are they also affirming the new structure.
á Steve Kimes Ð when voting for budget, are we also voting for staff changes? Answer Ð yes.
á Pat Hershberger Ð workshop on Friday was very good Ð this is an 18-month budget in 2 phases, we are not talking about passion-based ministries (their funding not included in the presented budget).
o Clarification Ð There is a $2000 line item covering all passion-based ministries in each of the two budget phases that are being presented.
á Teresa Moser Ð are we handing the Personnel Committee something odd? Is it temporary until we have the appropriate funding? Phase 2 staffing Ð Conference Executive Minister, Administrative Assistant, District Pastors.
á Cecil Miller Ð page 1 and page 4 Òadditional needÓ Ð what is this?
o Clarification Ð not balanced in Phase 1, Phase 2 looks like it is not balanced because of the Conference Minister position for 5 months Ð this position will not be continued in future budget.
á Audrey Lowen Ð we have a commitment to the current staff; we could have balanced by not honoring terms of current staff. The budget is balanced if you look at where the plan is to end up.
Charlotte called for a vote on the budget as presented. Motion was passed.
Don Bacher led in a closing song and Gilberto Flores closed the delegate sessions with prayer.
The 2008 delegate sessions were adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Isaak
PNMC Secretary