July 13, 2009 issue
Delegates weigh office building campaign, passing on the faith
By Paul Schrag Mennonite Weekly ReviewCOLUMBUS, Ohio — Questions about a planned new office building in Elkhart, Ind., and ideas for passing on a strong faith to the next generation sparked delegates’ discussion on Thursday.
TABLE TALK — From left, Matt Troyer-Miller of Shickley, Neb., Ken Burkholder of Dublin, Pa., and Kenneth Thompson of Bronx, N.Y., discuss ways to shape the next generation’s faith. — Photo by Paul Schrag/MWR
In the afternoon session, an Executive Board member, Glen Guyton, presented an update on Mennonite Mission Network’s fundraising campaign for the office building and for the agency’s annual fund.
The campaign has raised $8.4 million since 2006. An additional $2.3 million is needed by the end of the year to begin construction next spring, said Bethany Shue Nussbaum, a Mission Network development associate.
The building will be constructed on land adjacent to Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. It will serve Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership and Mennonite Education Agency.
Some delegates expressed doubts about the need for the building.
“I’m not so certain the next generation of Mennonites is going to desire a church with such a strong institutional center,” said Phil Kniss of Harrisonburg, Va.
Others said church members weren’t getting enough information or didn’t feel ownership in the project.
Todd Lehman of Hubbard, Ore., said there was “some disconnect between what happens in the Mennonite ghettoes” such as Elkhart and church members who live far from those places.
But Judy Ebersole of Wichita, Kan., said that “some of us do feel the connection.” She and others urged more specific and inspiring communication about the building project.
Responding to questions, Stanley Green, Mission Network executive director, said the agency is spending $265,000 a year to lease its current building.
Comments
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With $9 million pledged in a $11 million project, it is a done deal. It is nice to ask for feedback in a public forum. But the money support requested is really quite minimal in relation to the total needed. I assume one can expect the project to commence soon.
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