Members of the Mennonite Church USA Executive Director Search Committee were initially told by some in the church that it would be difficult to find qualified individuals interested in becoming the new executive director of Mennonite Church USA. Some suggested that no one would complete an application without being specifically asked to do so.
After a June 6 meeting in Chicago, the search committee is delighted to report that these fears were unfounded. More than 80 people were nominated or self-applied for the executive director position. Most of these individuals were personally contacted by the committee, and many spent additional time praying and discerning about their personal call to this churchwide role.
One thing became very clear to the committee. Each of the more than 80 people nominated or who had applied for the position is deeply engaged with the vision and mission of Mennonite Church USA and in the work that God is doing in the world. Based on these contacts and the gifts these men and women possess, the search committee is confident that the future of Mennonite Church USA will remain strong and that its efforts to join in what God is doing in the world are on track.
Describing the search committee process, Keith Weaver, moderator of Lancaster Conference, said “I am impressed by the way the search committee continues to work together. We are now focusing on a smaller number of persons and we are beginning exploratory conversations with some potential candidates.”
Committee member David Sutter, a pastor of the Kern Road Mennonite Church in South Bend, Ind., added, “We feel that the individuals who have applied for or have expressed interest in this role have significant leadership gifts. Our commitment continues to open ourselves to the Spirit’s leading to identify the person who will best fit the leadership needs the church has identified for these times. As the process moves forward, we welcome new applications from anyone who feels called to apply. Until an individual is named to the position, the committee is open to consideration of all applications received. We give thanks for God’s leading.”
Juanita Nuñez, a search committee member and a pastor of Ebenezer Christian Church, Apopka, Fla., shared, “We are praying for our work and for all of the persons involved in the search process, and we are trusting in the leading of the Holy Spirit.”
In responding to questions about the progress of the search, Ed Diller, moderator-elect and chair of the search committee, has routinely responded, “Finding the right person is the most important work of the committee. While there may have been some advantages in introducing the new executive director at the Delegate Assembly in Columbus, the timing of the appointment has always been seen as secondary to finding the person that God is calling to this position at this time.”
The search committee continues to request for prayers from the church for the ongoing discernment process and asks all members of Mennonite Church USA congregations to pray that the Holy Spirit will be active within the committee and in the lives of all who are involved in the process.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.