MWC General Council sends message to churches

On August 17, the final day of the 14th Mennonite World Conference assembly, General Council members approved two official statements.

One statement responded to the situation in Zimbabwe. It said “we grieve and deplore the current situation of suffering”, then described it and identified its causes. It also affirmed “with great joy and deep gratitude” the “commitment of all parties to the current mediation talks”, “the prophetic voice of the church . . . and the courageous role of its leaders”, and “the tenacity, passion, endurance and non-violent action of Zimbabweans”.

The second statement was issued as a message from Assembly 14 to MWC member churches around the world. It is both a report on the assembly and a call to prayer for Zimbabwe, along with thanks to God “for the immeasurable blessings of Assembly 14.” The closing paragraphs follow.

Greetings from more than 6,200 sisters and brothers gathered in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe!

. . . While it is difficult to communicate the thrill and joy of this Assembly, we were conscious this event did not belong to us alone. We were continually aware of those who prayed for months for the presence of God’s Spirit and for a tranquil situation. We are grateful to congregations who sent delegates to attend and contributed to the costs of this meeting. We thank God for the immeasurable blessings of Assembly 14.

We want you to be encouraged as we were when we walked among people who with conviction sang, “Be not afraid, I will be with you.” We invite you to join us in committing ourselves to support the Zimbabwe Brethren in Christ Church in its continuing witness. We urge you to continue to pray for a peaceful solution to the conflicts within Zimbabwe.

Join us in thanking God for the inspiration of this occasion. Listen carefully to those who attended for insight into the reality of the church in Africa. Invite facilitators from the Global Gift Sharing project to your region to explore the meaning of “sharing gifts in suffering and in joy” in your situation.

The Bulawayo Assembly was a timely recognition that more Brethren in Christ and Mennonites now live in Africa than on any other continent. The Assembly was an expression of unity, of solidarity between churches witnessing to God’s grace, peace and justice in remarkably different cultural, political, and economic circumstances. The Assembly was a sign, an announcement that this new era of church life calls for a re-ordering of relationships. It was a foretaste of the eternal kingdom when “nations will walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it” (Rev. 21:24).