• Español
  • Historical Archives
  • Convention
  • Contact Us
Support the Ministry Give
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
      • Racial Ethnic Council
  • MennoCon
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
      • Kineo Center
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Pastors & Leaders | Deep Faith 2022
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
      • Peace and Justice Support Network
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Mennonite Health Services Alliance
  • Resources
  • News & Media
    • News & Media
    • Menno Snapshots
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Blog
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
      • Racial Ethnic Council
  • MennoCon
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
      • Kineo Center
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Pastors & Leaders | Deep Faith 2022
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
      • Peace and Justice Support Network
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Mennonite Health Services Alliance
  • Resources
  • News & Media
    • News & Media
    • Menno Snapshots
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Blog
Home / News / MC USA Membership Guidelines Advisory Group Meeting, Next Steps
Dec 03 2019

MC USA Membership Guidelines Advisory Group Meeting, Next Steps

By MC USA staff

CHICAGO, Illinois (Mennonite Church USA) – Mennonite Church USA’s (MC USA) Membership Guidelines Advisory Group successfully met for a one-time working session on Nov. 15-17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois, to discuss ways in which the church can continue the conversation on its Membership Guidelines. The 21-person Advisory Group will submit its written recommendations to the MC USA Executive Committee this week.

The Executive Committee will meet to discuss the Advisory Group’s recommendations on Jan. 8, 2020, in preparation for the upcoming Executive Board meeting on Jan. 17-18, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Advisory Group’s report will be made public following the board’s review. Moving forward, the Executive Board will decide how best to lead the denomination through the discernment process.

“I want to thank each participant in the Membership Guidelines Advisory group,” said Michael Danner, associate executive director for Church Vitality, who co-led the group with Iris de León-Hartshorn, associate executive director of Operations. “This is not easy work given the conflictual history of the guidelines within MC USA and the impact the guidelines have had and still have on people in the church. Moving into that space was risky and took courage. I am grateful I was part of the group, and I pray that the outcome of this gathering bears fruit in the life of the church.”

The Advisory Group members were carefully selected to represent all regions of the country and to ensure a balance of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and identity, and theological breadth. Catherine Barnes of Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice & Peacebuilding (EMU), Harrisonburg, Virginia, facilitated the meeting.

“We ask for continued prayers for God’s leading through this discernment process,” said de León-Hartshorn. “We invite the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts so that MC USA may continue to demonstrate healing, hope and love within our church family and to the world beyond our doors.”

  • Posted in News
  • Tagged Advent, Catherine Barnes, Center for Justice & Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University, EMU, Executive Board, Executive Committee, Iris de León-Hartshorn, Kansas City, Keywords: Mennonite Church USA, MC USA, Membership Guidelines, Membership Guidelines Advisory Group, Michael Danner
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

News

3145 Benham Ave. Suite 1
Elkhart, IN 46517

718 N. Main St.
Newton, KS 67114
Phone: (866) 866-2872
  • News & Media
  • Español
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Convention
  • Resources
  • Give
  • Staff
  • Employment
  • Transparency in Coverage
©2020 Mennonite Church USA   |   Subscribe to PeaceMail to receive news and blogs compiled into one weekly email.   SUBSCRIBE