Relationships

Q: How does Mennonite Mission Network relate to Mennonite Church Canada Witness?
A: Mennonite Mission Network is a sister agency to Mennonite Church Canada Witness. Both agencies are full heirs to the ministries of our predecessor agencies (Commission on Home Ministries, Commission on Overseas Mission, Mennonite Board of Missions).

Q: How does Mennonite Mission Network fit in with other organizations within the new Mennonite Church USA?
A: Mennonite Mission Network is one of four program agencies of the Mennonite Church USA. The other three are Mennonite Education Agency, MMA (stewardship) and Mennonite Publishing House. Mennonite Mission Network has a relationship of accountability and collegiality with the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board. We are separate institutions with separate identities, boards, leadership, responsibilities and mandates, even though we intersect at many places (including with many staff).

Q: How does Mennonite Mission Network relate to other organizations outside the Mennonite Church USA?
A: Mennonite Mission Network collaborates in many ministries with groups beyond Mennonite Church USA. This occurs most frequently in international contexts, where the Mission Network is involved in many partnerships with other denominational and independent mission agencies for ministry in a particular country. Because of our Mennonite passion for holistic witness, the Mission Network is often looked to by evangelical and ecumenical mission organizations as a leader that will respect their interests. In North America, most of our Service, Learning and Discipleship programs, such as Mennonite Voluntary Service, include a significant percentage of participants from other than Mennonite background. The RAD (Reaching and Discipling) program and the Great Lakes Discipleship Center includes as a partner the Evangelical Mennonite Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. As the DOOR (Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection) program develops, other denominations have asked the Mission Network to collaborate in starting new DOOR locations.

Q: How does Mennonite Mission Network relate to congregations who have left Mennonite Church USA or who have chosen not to become part of the new denomination?
A: Mennonite Mission Network will serve these congregations in the same manner we have welcomed participation by a variety of churches who are not part of Mennonite Church USA. We may form partnerships with them around particular ministries where we have a common interest without making a broader commitment to each other such as the one implied by member congregations of Mennonite Church USA. In this way, these churches may become part of support networks or groups of churches that form partnerships with Mission Network for particular purposes. Such a partnership does require a common commitment to basic values, but has never indicated a mutual endorsement of each other's theology. The decision to relate to churches who are not part of Mennonite Church USA will continue to reflect balancing a number of factors and priorities, including relationships with other Mennonite Church USA members.

Q: How does Mennonite Mission Network relate to Eastern Mennonite Missions?
A: Leadership of Eastern Mennonite Missions participated in the mission-transformation process, which led to the formation of Mennonite Mission Network. We anticipate deepening relationships as sister mission agencies, while each of us retains responsibility for our distinct constituents (Lancaster Conference for EMM and Mennonite Church USA for the Mission Network). The Mission Network respects EMM as a partner in the mission of the Mennonite Church USA and reserves a spot on the Mission Network's Board of Directors for an EMM representative. Although partnership with EMM may increase, the Mission Network respects EMM as a regional mission agency that will continue to be autonomous in governance, administration and finance. When it comes to ministry, the Mission Network and EMM collaborate through partnership in a number of international locations, while in others we respect the relationships established by one another.

Q: How does Mennonite Mission Network relate to Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions?
A: Leadership of Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions participated in the mission-transformation process, which led to the formation of Mennonite Mission Network. We anticipate deepening relationships as sister mission agencies, while each of us retains responsibility for our distinct constituents (Virginia Conference for VMBM and Mennonite Church USA for the Mission Network). The Mission Network respects VMBM as a partner in the mission of the Mennonite Church USA and reserves a spot on the Mission Network's Board of Directors for an VMBM representative. (That seat is now filled by David D. Yoder, longtime VMBM president.) Although partnership with VMBM may increase, the Mission Network respects VMBM as a regional mission agency that will continue to be autonomous in governance, administration and finance. When it comes to ministry, the Mission Network and VMBM collaborate through partnership in a number of international locations, while in others we respect the relationships established by one another.

Q: How does Mennonite Mission Network relate to Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission?
A: Through inheriting the ministries and responsibilities of the Commission on Overseas Mission, Mennonite Mission Network (along with Mennonite Church Canada Witness) is a full member of Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission.

Q: How will international mission and our relationships with international partners be changed because of the mission-transformation process and the creation of Mennonite Mission Network?
A: Mennonite Mission Network pays close attention to relations with international partners. We are working to keep partners informed and minimize any disruption of ministries.

Q: What is the relationship between Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite World Conference?
A: Mennonite World Conference receives support directly from the Mennonite Church USA, to which Mennonite Mission Network contributes as part of the firstfruits funding system. In addition, the Mission Network, through the Anabaptist-related Council on International Ministries is a leader in Mennonite World Conference's Global Anabaptist Mission Consultation.

Q: What is the relationship between Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Central Committee?
A: Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Central Committee work in partnership in a variety of international locations. Both agencies are members of the Council of International Ministries, an Anabaptist-related coalition of North American mission-and-service organizations. While Mennonite Mission Network is the mission agency of the Mennonite Church USA, MCC is the relief, development and refugee assistance agency of a variety of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ denominations. Although the boundaries between the Mission Network and MCC may seem artificial and, at times, unclear, there exists mutual respect and support for the distinct callings of each institution.

Q: Does Mennonite Mission Network work with congregations or groups that are not part of Mennonite Church USA?
A: Yes. We believe Jesus calls Christians to unity by coming together around a common vision.