www.TheMennonite.org July 26, 2005 page 6 Charlotte 2005 convention issue 10 Mennonite Church USA delegate assembly 18 Youth can’t keep quiet 32 A noisy, missional church IN THIS ISSUE Charlotte 2005 convention issue any of our regular features—such as the ber noted that there were as many adults in the Grace and Truth column that usually youth convention as in the adult convention. M appears on this page—are missing from this As usual, this biennial gathering had many lay- issue. Also missing are the Readers Say section, ers; no two participants would have the same expe- Leadership and Mediaculture columns, and For the rience. While daily worship services provided a Record. That is because once every two years we central rhythm for the week, congregational and create a special issue devoted almost entirely to our conference representatives to Mennonite Church denomination’s biennial convention. Canada and Mennonite Church USA delegate Charlotte 2005 was the ninth gathering for assemblies spent most of their time in separate ses- ONLINE POLL Mennonite Church Canada, which has been meet- sions (pages 10-15). RESULTS ing annually since its formation in 1997. But this Youth convention participants, however, had two year’s convention, held in downtown Charlotte, worship sessions each day and then spent time in Mennonite Church N.C., was only the second such gathering for small groups reflecting on those experiences, or USA conventions Mennonite Church USA. they flooded a large hall where should: When the two national bodies recreation activities allowed for were formed, the assumption was Charlotte 2005 interaction among youth groups Continue to meet By the numbers: every two years that we would meet together in from both countries. (54%) Canada this year. However, those The exhibit hall included creative 8,677 registrants Meet every three plans changed for two reasons: displays and lots of giveaways— Mennonite Church USA is still in MC Canada: 802 especially from Mennonite colleges. years (23%) MC USA: 7,875 Meet every four formation and needed a U.S. loca- 5,238 youth/sponsors Again this year—as at Atlanta years (16%) tion that would allow as many peo- 2,669 adults 2003—the biggest prize was a Not sure (7%) ple as possible to attend, and the 506 children Volkswagen given away by Hesston cost of meeting facilities was much 264 volunteers (Kan.) College (page 5). Check out the new higher in Canada, since July is part But the central theme of the poll question at www. of that country’s peak tourism sea- event, “Can’t Keep Quiet,” continual- TheMennonite.org son—and convention facilities in this ly reminded all present of the pur- country stand idle during the week of July 4. pose of such a gathering: to become even more out- A record 8,677 participants gathered for spoken about our faith. If this five-day event sets Charlotte 2005 July 4-9. About 10 percent of regis- loose our tongues even a little, then it will have trants were members of Mennonite Church served to make us more missional as a church—in Canada, including 207 delegates—just enough for a both Canada and the United States. quorum in Mennonite Church Canada business It is unclear whether there will be another bina- sessions (see page 15). tional convention that includes joint delegate Although the Youth Convention (page 18) was assemblies meeting in the same venue as the youth the largest of the four conventions (adult, youth, convention. While Canadian and U.S. delegates met junior youth and children) many of those partici- together (page 14) to talk about the relationship pants were young adult and adult sponsors. That between the two-country churches, Mennonite fact altered perceptions for Mennonite Church Church USA will hold its next convention alone in USA’s Executive Board on July 4 when a staff mem- 2007 in San Jose, Calif.—Editors TheMennonite Vol. 8, No. 14, July 26, 2005 The Mennonite seeks to serve Mennonite Church USA by helping readers glorify God, grow in faith and become agents of healing and hope in the Editor: Everett J. Thomas Offices: world. The Mennonite (ISSN 1522-7766) is normally published on the first [email protected] 1700 S. Main St. and third Tuesdays of each month by the board for The Mennonite, Inc. Goshen, IN 46526-4794 Periodical postage paid at Scottdale, PA 15683-1999. Canada Post interna- Associate Editor: Gordon Houser tional publications mail sales agreement no. 40033185, GST no. [email protected] phone: 800-790-2498 fax: 574-535-6050 R122192453. Subscription rates: $41.95 (U.S.) per year. Group rates avail- Advertising Coordinator: Kristene Miller able. Scripture references are from the New Revised Standard Version [email protected] unless otherwise noted. The views expressed in this publication do not Circulation Manager: Rebecca Helmuth 722 Main St., P.O. Box 347 Newton, KS 67114 necessarily represent the official positions of The Mennonite, the board for [email protected] phone: 866-866-2872 The Mennonite, Inc., or Mennonite Church USA. Editorial Assistant: Nora Miller fax: 316-283-0454 Design: Dee Birkey Postmaster Send form 3579 to: Cover inset photos (from left) by Everett J. Web site The Mennonite Thomas and Ryan Miller www.TheMennonite.org 1700 S. Main St. Goshen, IN 46526 2 TheMennonite July 26,2005 CONTENTS 9 4 6 Tongues set free Mennonites at Charlotte 2005 get loud, anointed with power. —Gordon Houser 10 Mennonite Church USA delegate assembly Table group process creates a ‘culture of discernment’ for major church issues.—Everett J. Thomas 14 Joint session calls for new relationship Delegates want continued joint assemblies for MC Canada and 23 MC USA.—Robert Rhodes and Tim Miller Dyck 18 Youth can’t keep quiet Worship, servant projects and delegate sessions keep youth active at Charlotte.—Hannah Kehr 20 Energy for the church Junior high youth at Charlotte learn what Mennonite means for themselves.—Laurie L. Oswald 21 The church’s future Charlotte 2005 convention brings children into God’s larger family.—Laurie L. Oswald 22 Volunteers ‘changed by being there’ 22 More than 3,800 youth, adults let actions speak through servant projects.—Ryan Miller 23 Stop the war. Who’ll stop the rain? Gulf War veteran says U.S. troops return from war ‘broken and alone.’—Gordon Houser 24 ‘Purpose-driven’ consultation attracts 40 Mission Network sponsors estimate 200 MC USA congregations used material.—Ryan Miller 25 New hymnal supplement debuts July 4 Preconvention seminar lets participants ‘Sing the Journey’ with new songs.—Laurie L. Oswald DEPARTMENTS 4 Charlotte news 32 Editorial A noisy, missional church—Everett J. Thomas July 26,2005 TheMennonite 3 CHARLOTTE NEWS IN BRIEF ‘We’are Mennonite Church USA CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership passed out buttons in dele- gate sessions with the word “We” on them as a way of introducing a new campaign to build identity for the young denomination. “Research reveals a clear relationship between members’ sense of denominational identity and their support of and active involvement in min- Samuel Lopez istries in their congregations, area conferences and elected to church-wide agencies,” said a statement. “Over the Executive Board next several years, Mennonite Church USA is Laurie L. Oswald Mennonite Church embarking on a journey … of building a strong, USA delegates elect- ed Samuel Lopez, cohesive, unified identity among members and New Holland, Pa., to leaders. … We are Mennonite Church USA.” the Executive Board, According to the statement, the new identity representing Iglesia campaign was launched because members and Prayers and messages for Zimbabwe Menonita Hispana. leaders say they don’t know what Mennonite During Wednesday’s morning worship at Charlotte 2005, Lopez, moderator- Church USA stands for, are confused by complicat- worshipers wrote prayers and messages to their faith family elect of IMH, became suffering in Zimbabwe (see July 5, page 6). Janeen Bertsche moderator when ed organizational structures and don’t know what Johnson (left), a member of Mennonite Church USA’s Byron Pellecer missional means.—Everett J. Thomas Executive Board, hands the written messages to Mennonite resigned. World Conference president Nancy Heisey, who will give Delegates debate bylaw changes them to Danisa Ndlovu, MWC vice president and bishop of Rejected CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Delegates at Charlotte 2005 the Brethren in Christ Church in Zimbabwe, at MWC Executive Committee meetings next month. Mennonite adopted bylaw changes. However, one of those reality shows changes encountered opposition. Each issue of mPress The change in question concerned The Doug Kaufman, pastor of Benton Mennonite at Charlotte 2005 Mennonite, specifically its relationship to the Church, Goshen, Ind., came to the microphone and included a top 10 list. Executive Board (see May 17, page 32 for the pro- Saturday’s focused said, “If we think both leadership and the con- posed changes). on rejected sugges- stituency is better served by an independent maga- tions for Mennonite zine, we should oppose these bylaws.” reality shows: 10. Faspa Factor Paul Rohrer, Orrville, Ohio, on the other hand, 9. Delegates Gone Banned in the USA urged support of the bylaws. He said The Wild: What will they U.S. Customs did not let curator Ray Dirks of the Mennonite should support official policy. pass next? Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery in Winnipeg bring Malinda Berry, New York City, agreed with 8. Fear Factor: Martyr three Cuban paintings to Charlotte 2005. They were part Kaufman. A corporate ethos is uncomfortable with Edition of the exhibit “In God’s Image: A Global Anabaptist 7. Samaritan Idol: Family,”featuring more than 100 works from 17 coun- an independent journal, she said. Watch as Mennos tries. At left is one of the offending paintings, a joyous Gerald Biesecker-Mast, a member of The race to fix a fence image of the Mennonite, Inc.