The Conference Board supervises the business of the conference, including conference committees, and does strategic planning to ensure that the conference is maintaining alignment with its vision and following the lead of the Spirit into areas of growth and change.
Report from the October 12, 2026, Board Meeting
Welcome and Devotion
The October board meeting was an abbreviated online meeting in preparation for the November Delegate Assembly. Michael Howes led a devotion from Mark 1:35, on how solitude with God will renew our sense of mission and clarity of God’s call for our lives.
Preparing for the Fall Delegate Assembly
The board discussed the fall Delegate Assembly schedule, particularly the afternoon breakout conversation groups. Board members will actively listen in these sessions and report back to the full delegate sessions about what they heard and the questions that were raised.
Reviewing the Church Together statements is part of the work of the current strategic plan. The conversation groups will allow time for feedback on the intersection between Mosaic’s Centering Document and each of the Church Together statements, as well as offer a space to reflect on Mosaic’s response to immigration challenges, and a space for intercultural worship and prayer.
During the Delegate Assembly morning session, the Board plans to have nomination forms available for the Assistant Moderator role as well as committee roles. Shortly after Assembly, the Nominating Committee will work to consider associate moderator nominees and share potential names with the board.
On the Sunday of Assembly weekend, board members Haroldo Nunes, Lindy Backues, and Michael Howes, along with other credentialed leaders and ministry partner leaders, will be guest preaching at Mosaic congregations. Other board members will be hosting external speakers and visiting congregations.
Delegate Preparation Session Reflections
Nine delegate preparation sessions took place in Pennsylvania, Florida, California, and online in September and October. The focus was on building relationships and reflecting on scripture together, centered on Psalm 116:1-2, and many sessions also included delicious food prepared by members of the host congregations.
Around 100 delegates and leaders participated, representing over 40 congregations and ministries. The personal sharing by participants in response to the prompt, “I love the Lord because…” was noted as meaningful and often vulnerable.
The sessions provided time to explore Mosaic’s Centering Document through biblical stories and small-group conversation. Participants considered what it means to hold together gracious hospitality and high expectations, welcoming and honoring one another while also inviting one another into becoming more like Jesus.
“One of the gifts of these sessions was the opportunity to make new connections and hear meaningful sharing,” reflected Board Secretary Jim Musselman, who participated in the sessions at Everence in Souderton, PA and Ripple Community, Inc. in Allentown, PA.
“In the small groups, people engaged deeply with one another, and the conversations could easily have continued longer. Across the discussions, the centrality of Christ’s teachings and community emerged as shared themes.”
Executive Committee member Maati Yvonne, who was present at the preparation meeting at Indonesian Light Church in Philadelphia, shared similar sentiments: “It was meaningful to eat together, reflect on and wrestle with scripture, and share about God’s goodness in our lives, for many of us, from the days of our youth.”
“We are grateful for God’s timely provision in our lives and how we will continue to trust the movement of the Spirit within, through, and around the congregations in Mosaic.”
At Assembly, participants will build on the theme of Psalm 116 with a communal declaration, “We love the Lord because…” Delegates are encouraged to bring stories from their congregations and ministries, sharing the varied ways God is at work throughout Mosaic.
Executive Minister Updates
Stephen Kriss reported on the preaching institute that began in early October, with Indonesian-speaking, Spanish-speaking, and English-speaking cohorts, each overflowing with participants. These cohorts are made possible thanks to a Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. There are breadth of instructors and 45 students, from Texas to New York City to Colombia and also from LMC congregations.
Assistant Moderator Janet Panning updated the board on the Executive Minister review process; board members were asked to respond to a feedback survey.
The next Conference Board meeting is scheduled for November 23, 2026, and the board will meet in person for a retreat on February 26-28, 2027, in Tampa, FL.
Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.
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.