Feb. 22, 2010 issue
MC USA offices face possible changes
By Celeste Kennel-Shank Mennonite Weekly ReviewAs plans proceed for a new Mennonite Church USA office building in Elkhart, Ind., church leaders will discuss making that location the denomination’s sole headquarters.
The Mennonite Church USA office in Newton, Kan., would lose its headquarters status if a consultant’s proposal is accepted. — Photo by Paul Schrag/MWR
That would mean that the Newton, Kan., office — longtime headquarters of the former General Conference Mennonite Church and co-headquarters with Elkhart since the merger that created MC USA in 2002 — would lose its headquarters status.
LaVern Yutzy, consultant on churchwide operations and alignment, recommended in his report, released Feb. 1 and available for download as a PDF, that the Newton offices no longer be a headquarters.
He suggested proceeding with the $6 million building in Elkhart — to be built on land adjacent to Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary — with some changes to the current plan. The building plan “includes more space than is currently needed,” Yutzy wrote.
He suggests building the space needed for the current confirmed occupants’ staff sizes. Yutzy also cautions against borrowing for the project, instead advising that MC USA have the funds for the building and endowment received or pledged before starting the project.
Ervin Stutzman, MC USA executive director, said there is the possibility of inviting other groups to share the space.
“I very much agree that we don’t want to overbuild with facilities,” Stutzman said.
Stutzman noted MC USA will save money on operating costs in the new building. MC USA spent $265,000 in 2008 — the most recent figure available — for its Elkhart facilities, where it has been leasing space since December 2006. Estimated operating costs of the new building are $90,000 a year. At the same time, in paying for the building, Stutzman prefers to have the funds before construction begins.
“I’m trying to balance both perspectives,” Stutzman said. “It might end up costing us more money if we end up waiting.”
The MC USA Executive Board plans to look at the Yutzy report and the Elkhart building campaign, among other topics, at its meeting Feb. 18-20. If the board gives a green light based on funds currently raised, construction will begin after a June 15 ceremony to bless the ground on which the offices will be built. Campaign leaders aim to have construction complete by December 2011.
Comments
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Yet another terrible decision made by Mennonite leadership. This building is a complete waste of money. It is nothing but a gimmick to try and get people to give more money, and to invest more money in the bureaucracies at a time when support is waning. It is a cynical use of their constituency to ask to give to a building, knowing all the while that people who give to a building project will likely give more long term. Money, money, money.
Then they plan to borrow millions of dollars from a bank because they are unable to actually raise the funds for this sinkhole. Yet they tell us it will save them money! You have got to be kidding me. It is a fundraising gimmick people, and it is cynical and I dare say sinful use of Mennonite charity.
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I think they're taking some pretty big risks in terms of constituency relations. They say they raised a lot of money from Kansas, for example, but I wonder if those donors knew they were contributing toward the demise of the Newton office's headquarters status. How important is it for everyone with power to be in the same building in a time of instant communication? I really wonder if the consultant considered anything besides justifying the expensive Elkhart headquarters project.
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I think John H. makes some pretty strong language that can't be verified.
David has something to think about. This has been researched and evaluated from many angles. A consultant has made the recommendation after a year of study.
I originally opposed the project, have not contributed, but it makes a lot of sense. I may contribute yet. I am not into high technology, so not sure how much needs to be face to face in the next 50 years.
Renting has been expensive. Never know when may have to move. Many people like to own their own houses. Businesses likely want to own.
If building is cheaper over 20 years, I am in favor.
I'm not sure if the acreage for both the Seminary and the Office building is adequate for the next 50 years. Maybe more than enough if there is more online study and working from different locations out of the central office. I know Ervin Stutzman plans to stay in Harrisonburg for the immediate future
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Why Elkhart? I understand the deeply held tradition of Mennonites in Elkhart, but what does Elkhart have to say to Chicago or New York? For an organization so dedicated to peace and justice, there can be no peace outside of the the actual conflicts. If the cross is to be the social/political manifestation of the reign of God as John Howard Yoder talks about, then it will probably come from direct engagement with those powerful systems which are continually oppressing people. Neither retreat, nor violent revolution will do. Peace!
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Paul, so if we say Chicago or New York, then someone will likely come along and say, well why not Mexico City, why not Paris, London or Tokyo? What do New York or Chicago have to say to the world? If you really want peace and justice, should you not go global?
Further, who wants to build, live and commute in the high cost New York and Chicago areas? Perhaps MC USA and their staff have deeper pockets than they are telling us.
In Revelation we read about the New Jerusalem. Should we also ask, why Jerusalem?
Really.
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