Discerning How To Be A Faithful Church

Authored by: 
Lisa Williams

"For many people in the world, interpretation is not simply a matter of niceties, nuances and debate. It is rather a matter of life and death. People continue to die because of the interpretations of others." Jack Suderman, Executive Secretary of Mennonite Church Canada addressed the 250 persons gathered at the Mennonite Church Eastern Canada consultation on the life of the church. He further challenged, "It is not incumbent upon you to finish the task [of discernment], but you are not free to desist from it."

Congregations gathered on October 31, 2009 at Steinmann Mennonite Church to focus on how to discern together as the Body of Christ. "The primary issue is not exactly what we will decide," Suderman clarified, "but whether we can be the church in so doing. Our vocation is to be the Church and when we face this vocation squarely, God will lead and guide us."

The format of the day was interactive and small group focused as participants gathered at round tables. Sue Steiner, the event moderator and member of Rockway Mennonite Church, interviewed three congregations within MCEC who have worked significantly in the area of discernment.

Phil Wagler, lead pastor of Kingsfield Zurich Mennonite Church, shared how Zurich MC discerned their need to take a Sabbath Year. The congregation has since found itself being transformed by God as together they experience growth and freedom to step out and venture down new roads.

Grace Mennonite Church in St. Catharines was also interviewed through their pastor, Waldo Pauls. As they discerned together that a new group using their facilities would be part of the mission of Grace MC, the congregation has found itself revitalized with new energy.

Gladys Bender, congregational chair at Steinmann Mennonite Church, conveyed how they changed their way of "being church" in order to seriously consider how they can build Christian community in a fragmented society. As they reorganized their complete structure, a more visionary model of leadership emerged.

Those participating in the consultation on October 31, took part in a discernment exercise. As each table discerned what the Spirit was saying, five statements rose to the surface. In summary: The Church is worth it! Its vocation is to be a discerning community that is not afraid, but bold. We expect God's best, which may surprise, but calls us to follow with faithful obedience.