Delegate Job Description

Delegate Job Description ( download PDF  )

Title: Mennonite Church USA Assembly Delegate

Function: Acting on behalf of members of Mennonite Church USA in meetings of the Delegate Assembly, delegates determine major policy issues, evaluate the work of the Executive Board and discern the voice of the Spirit in the midst of the Assembly.

Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Prepare in advance of Delegate Assembly meetings.
   1. Read carefully all the material distributed to delegates including the Delegate Assembly workbook.
   2. Seek clarification from the Executive Board on materials or statements that are not understood.
   3. Ask for the advice and opinions of other persons in your constituency (congregation or area conference) about policy issues for Mennonite Church USA.
   4. Formulate your opinions in advance based on input from others, prayerful discernment and your own best thinking.
2. Participate actively in the Assembly.
   1. Be present and on time for each session.
   2. Listen carefully to input from the moderator, church leaders and other delegates.
   3. Participate assertively and intelligently in deliberations.
   4. Work cooperatively with other delegates to discern the voice of the Spirit in the Assembly and to articulate God’s desired future for Mennonite Church USA.
   5. Offer suggestions on ways to improve the various programs and services of MC USA.
   6. Experience the Assembly sessions as worshipful work that honors God and report highlights of these sessions back to your constituency.
3. Serve as a conduit for information between Assemblies.
   1. Receive and respond to requests for information and opinions from the Executive Board.
   2. Register new ideas, advice and suggestions focused on improving the outcomes and effectiveness of Mennonite Church USA.
   3. Suggest qualified candidates to the Leadership Discernment Committee to fill delegate-elected positions.
4. Provide for continuity with newly appointed delegates.
   1. Pass along past information of interest to the next delegate before the end of service.
   2. Provide assistance as needed to orient newly appointed delegates to their work.

Qualifications:

1. Active membership in a congregation of Mennonite Church USA.
2. A commitment to discerning God’s desired future for Mennonite Church USA.
3. Interest in dealing with systems, values, vision, and the long term.
4. Willingness to make policy decisions in the best interests of the whole church.
5. Personal commitment of time and necessary resources to attend each Assembly meeting.

Function of Delegate Assembly

The function of the Delegate Assembly captured in Article V, Section 1 of the Mennonite Church USA Bylaws is as follows:

1. A Delegate Assembly shall be constituted as a denominational body representative of the constituency through area conference and congregational delegations. The Delegate Assembly, as a representative of the church, shall function in the following ways:
   1. Provide opportunity to assemble for worship, fellowship, prophecy, acquaintance, and understanding, and to deepen Christian commitment.
   2. Discuss and decide major issues of policy for the church denomination, and discern the voice and the Spirit in the midst of the Delegate Assembly.
   3. Provide opportunity to speak to the establishment of general policies and the development of programs to carry out those policies.
   4. Receive reports from the Executive Board, its committees, program boards, and councils. Reports shall be presented in writing and shall include financial accounting.
   5. Review current programs and act on program priorities as presented by the Executive Board.
   6. Elect the following:
      1. Moderator, if the position is vacant, and a Moderator Elect.
      2. Four members of the Leadership Discernment Committee as nominated by the Constituency Leaders Council.
      3. Other members of program agency boards and committees as needed under the organizational structure of the same.
      4. Executive Board members to fill new terms and vacancies.

Approved by the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board, September 2002