Delegate Assembly

As Mosaic Mennonite Conference prepares for its Annual Delegate Assembly on Saturday, November 7, congregations are beginning the important process of discerning who will represent them as delegates.

The ways congregations choose delegates vary widely, including discernment by the pastor, board, elders, or congregational invitations. Mosaic congregations differ greatly in size, language, culture, governance, and history, and all share the responsibility of naming people who will listen well, prepare thoughtfully, and represent their congregation within the life of Mosaic Conference.

This year, Assembly will be held at Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church, with a gathering on the evening of Friday, November 6 at Zion Mennonite in Souderton. Congregations are asked to submit the names of their delegates by August 15.

For some congregations, delegate discernment is rooted primarily in pastoral leadership.

At Centro de Alabanza de Filadelfia, Pastors Letty Cortes and Fernando Loyola select delegates from among the congregation’s leaders. Within their immigrant congregation, members trust the pastors to identify people whose Christian character and commitment enable them to represent the church well. Prior to Assembly, delegates are held during the congregation’s times of intercessory prayer.

Pastor Cortes notes that delegates often balance demanding work schedules while also participating through interpretation because English is not their primary language.

A similar emphasis on leadership discernment exists at Nations Worship Center (NWC) in Philadelphia. Pastor Beny Krisbianto says the pastoral team and elders choose delegates from among faithful ministry leaders, including elders and worship leaders, who understand the congregation’s life and can represent the church rather than primarily their own perspectives.

Before the annual Assembly, NWC gathers its delegates to discuss agenda items together and discern how the congregation hopes to engage the conversations. Pastor Krisbianto also emphasizes the importance of language access, noting that Indonesian interpretation helps delegates fully participate in Assembly discussions.

Other congregations incorporate boards or elders into the discernment process.

At Church of the Good Samaritans in Holland, Pennsylvania, the congregation’s elders typically serve as delegates. When additional delegates are needed, the elders prayerfully identify other members who can serve, as they did last year when they invited a younger adult from the congregation to participate.

At Souderton Mennonite, delegates often serve for multiple years if they remain available. When openings arise, the board discerns potential delegates and extends personal invitations. Pastor Jen Erickson-Morales says one ongoing challenge is helping delegates see their role as more than attending Assembly and voting.

Souderton prepares delegates by discussing upcoming Assembly conversations, gathering congregational perspectives, and praying publicly for delegates before Assembly.

While every delegate brings their own experiences and convictions, delegates are called to represent the discernment of their congregation rather than simply their individual opinions. That often requires preparation before Assembly by reading reports, attending pre-Assembly meetings, discussing agenda items together, and listening carefully to fellow congregants.

The process also invites congregational support. Some delegates take vacation time from work, arrange child or elder care, travel significant distances, or step away from family and ministry responsibilities to participate. Congregations can support delegates by praying for them, offering tangible support, expressing appreciation for their service, and inviting them to share what they learned after Assembly.

As your congregation discerns delegates for the 2026 Assembly, consider discussing:

• Who in our congregation demonstrates the spiritual maturity, humility, relational gifts, and wisdom needed to represent us well?
• How can our delegates reflect the diversity of gifts, generations, cultures, and experiences within our congregation?
• What opportunities do potential delegates have to listen to the hopes, questions, and concerns of the congregation before Assembly?
• How can we prepare delegates to engage thoughtfully with Assembly materials and conversations?
• In what ways can our congregation pray for, encourage, and practically support delegates before, during, and after Assembly?
• How might delegates help strengthen the relationship between our congregation and the wider Mosaic Conference throughout the year?

2026 Delegate Assembly

• Friday Evening Event: November 6, 2026, 4-8pm at Zion Mennonite (Souderton, PA) – Celebrating the God who listens to us! Dinner and worship, featuring Karen González
• Annual Delegate Assembly: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Souderton (PA) Mennonite. Theme: We Love the Lord (Psalm 116:1-2)
• Delegate naming deadline: August 15, 2026

Each congregation is eligible to name lay delegates according to Mosaic’s bylaws and congregational size. In addition, all Mosaic-credentialed pastors currently serving in pastoral roles are delegates and should also be included when congregations submit their delegate information.

This year, Assembly Travel Grants are available to help offset a congregation or Conference-Related Ministry’s expenses for transportation and lodging expenses for delegates participating in the Fall Assembly. The deadline to apply for these grants is August 15. Learn more.