Mennonite Church USA is one small, but important, part of the broader body of Christ. We have gifts to receive from the broader body and gifts to share.

Some of our history has been marked by a deep mistrust of other Christians. Sometimes we were condemned or persecuted. But today many Christians from other traditions are eager to be in conversation with us, often about our commitment to a believer’s church vision, discipleship and Jesus’ way of peace.

At times we have believed that separating ourselves from other Christians was a sign of faithfulness. But today we are painfully aware that animosity and division in the body undermines our witness to Christ and that dealing honestly and graciously with our differences invites others to journey with us. We are beginning to take to heart Jesus’ words: “Father, may they be one . . . so that the world will know you sent me.”

We are also discovering that Christians from other traditions can enrich our faith and life. We continually ask, “What can we learn from each other that will help us and the whole church be more faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ?”

Many of us are already connecting with the wider body of Christ: at the local level, in shared service, witness and peace ministry, at colleges and seminaries. Interchurch Relations of Executive Leadership seeks to learn from these experiences and give support and leadership to Mennonite relationships with the broader body of Christ.