Reflections on the MWC meetings in Pasadena

The 10 days I spent with the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) General Council, meeting in Pasadena, Cal. Mar. 6–16 (see News, Apr. 28) once again pushed me hard. The international dialogue is robust and puts our faith and life into another perspective. Let me share a few notes I jotted during the sessions.

On blending shalom and evangelism

The less affluent Christians spoke about church mission in the same breath as economics, social problems, and justice etc. but the more affluent Christians saw mission and peace as two separate entities in competition. In international breakout groups, we were asked to discuss the dichotomy. Northern hemisphere delegates engaged quickly.

After a time we asked the southerners why they weren’t speaking. They replied, “Dichotomy? What dichotomy? We just do both naturally.”

The 10/40 window

Millions of Muslims live in what’s called the 10/40 window (between 10 and 40 degrees latitude) and need Christian witness. But southern friends observe there’s no apparent concern that the lives of 10/40 inhabitants are characterized by poverty-related disease, illiteracy, and children becoming soldiers. Or that the Pentagon and Hollywood are also in the 10/40 window, exporting violence, policies of greed/injustice, and immorality unchecked, and systemically undermining mission efforts from a purported Christian worldview.

Torture and recovery

We prayed for the Vietnam Mennonite church. The arrested pastors have been released. Some have returned to lead their churches. One pastor was a woman who has been so traumatized she has lost her mental health and cannot yet return to ministry. We wept and prayed for these precious brothers and sisters and realized our troubles are minor in comparison.

Hien Tri Truong, formerly of Vietnam and now living in the U.S., receives prayer on behalf of the persecuted church in Vietnam during the MWC General Council meeting. From left are Larry Miller, MWC executive secretary; Don Sensenig, translator; Truong; Nancy Heisey, MWC president. Photo: Everett J. Thomas for Meetinghouse

Building the body

Working in three official languages with simultaneous translation made the pace of decisions slow. But we enjoyed each other’s company. Standing in solidarity is what makes the Mennonite World Conference meaningful. As someone has well said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

MWC meets in general assembly every six years. Assembly 2009 in Asuncion, Paraguay will be a great opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones, and to find ways to care for one another globally in the name of Christ.

David Wiebe is executive director of the Canadian MB Conference and a member of the MWC General Council.