Sharon Norton and Steve Wiebe-Johnson are Mennonite Mission Network's co-directors for Africa and Europe. After a historical overview of how the 1918-1920 pandemic changed the global church, they look at the ways the COVID-19 pandemic is changing Mission Network's ministry today.

The influenza pandemic of 1918-1920 changed the world and the global church. It also signified the beginning of changes that affected the way in which Mennonite Mission Network engages in mission.

In the early 20th century, "Western Civilization" saw itself as superior and imposed its culture and values on people around the world. Global expansion was largely from "the West to the rest." This supplanting of cultures was facilitated with the help of advances in science, medicine and technology — including weapons. Europe and the United States were expanding their spheres of influence in a worldwide scramble to occupy and colonize territories.

The church buildings, authority structures and doctrines were part of this expansion of Western influence. Liturgies and practices were transplanted from missionaries' home countries to their new host countries.

World War I shook the understanding of the scientific worldview and the sense that history was moving toward human perfection. At the end of the war, in 1918, the influenza pandemic continued shaking the foundations of the emerging global culture. The pandemic challenged science, medicine and faith. People around the world found that neither their traditional religion,s nor the implanted Christian faith could slow the progression of this illness.

In search of solutions, new religious movements incorporated the life, doctrine and practice that they had received from the Western church into their traditional forms of worship. They reintegrated their cultural forms of music, dancing, community prayer and lament into Christian worship.

When workers from a predecessor agency of Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Board of Missions, arrived in West Africa in the mid-1950s, they encountered African Indigenous Churches (AICs). These denominations, founded by and for Africans, were growing rapidly throughout the continent. Mennonite workers were attentive to the growth they saw in the AICs and chose to work with the AICs. Some AICs decided to affiliate with the Mennonite church. The mission workers focused on leadership development and theological education to deepen the AIC's biblical roots.

Mission Network's missiological practices grow from the understanding that mission belongs to God. We recognize that God has always been active all around the world, in the great work of reconciling all people to God. Partnering with local leaders is the primary means by which ministries grow and flourish. The current shape of Mission Network's global engagement has been strongly influenced by its relationship and partnership with local churches. We would not be who we are without our local partners, and this traces back to the pandemic that began in 1918.

How has the current pandemic shaped the global church and the way Mission Network walks with international partners?

• Mission Network has implemented new ways of sharing resources.

Marvin Lorenzana led the Missional Discipleship Initiative (MDI) in starting cohorts in several countries in Africa to process online curriculum. The three-level, nine-month program was designed for congregations in the United States. But during the pandemic, as more people became proficient in remote technology, pastors from many locations have inquired about the program. There are now 41 people in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda participating in MDI.

• Mission Network personnel have helped congregations explore new ways to worship.

Congregations have made their worship services available online, making it possible to worship with many different communities each week. Brian and Noelia Fox have helped their congregation in Burgos, Spain — Comunidades Unidas Anabautistas (United Anabaptist Communities) — adapt to a social media presence.

"To our surprise, we soon realized that we had people from all over Spain, and even in other countries, who were watching our worship services," Brian Fox said. "What started off as a temporary way for us to stay connected has turned into a new ministry that has continued to grow over the past year."

The Mennonite church in Burgos now has more than 10 people working with the online ministries. 

• Mission Network has found ways to increase participation.

In cooperation with Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM), Mission Network is reformulating a series of meetings that have always taken place face-to-face into online platforms. We have people from each country gather in one place with their spouses to be together and have marriage workshops, Bible studies and other activities that affirm and encourage the leaders. Periodically, for business meetings, each country joins online for broader discussion and decision-making.