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MWC General Council Sends Message to Churches

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe — The Brethren in Christ Church (Zimbabwe) hosted more than 6,200 Mennonite World Conference Assembly 14 registrants with grace and generosity despite living under great hardship due to difficult political and socio-economic conditions.

“It has become clear that it is inappropriate to come and say nothing about the situation in Zimbabwe,” said Larry Miller, MWC Executive Secretary, to the newly elected General Council on August 17.

Miller explained that he had been in conversation with church leaders over several months on issuing a statement at the end of the assembly.

Miller also noted that the MWC General Council had issued statements on the situations in Colombia and in the Democratic Republic of Congo at its last meeting in 2000, and that other world communions frequently addressed troubling situations in the world in light of Christian convictions.

The statement, approved by the General Council, is being published simultaneously as a purchased advertisement in newspapers of different persuasions in Zimbabwe. It is also being released to MWC member churches and international church media.

The statement reads:

MENNONITE WORLD CONFERENCE
GENERAL COUNCIL STATEMENT ON ZIMBABWE

The Mennonite World Conference (MWC) is a communion of Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and related Christian churches in 54 countries. The General Council, the governing body of the MWC, composed of delegates of member churches, met in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, August 2003, together with more than 6,200 participants in the every-six-year Assembly. Representing members worldwide, we reaffirmed our unity in the body of Christ, and our solidarity with one another, using as the Assembly theme “Sharing gifts in suffering and in joy” (1 Corinthians 12).

As believers in God who wills the well being of all, and as followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we lament situations of poverty, oppression, injustice, violence and war that exist in many parts of the world.

Recognizing Zimbabwe’s resilient people and rich natural resources, and having experienced the warm welcome and gracious hospitality of the hosting Brethren in Christ Church, we especially grieve and deplore the current situation of suffering in this country:

• The fear and brutality that result from political oppression and conflict, excessive police powers and arbitrary arrests, and legislation that curtails democratic expression and free assembly.
• The hardship and exploitation that result from economic breakdown, profiteering and corruption, shortages of all kinds, unemployment and endemic poverty.
• The malnutrition and death that result from a humanitarian crisis of major proportions, caused by mismanagement of the economy, drought, massive shortages of food, medical supplies and services, and the scourge of HIV/AIDS.

At the same time, as a global community of faith, we affirm with great joy and deep gratitude:

• The commitment of all parties to the current mediation talks, trusting they will address the key issues of concern, including people’s needs, fears and hopes.
• The prophetic voice of the church for justice and peace and the courageous role of its leaders in efforts to resolve as well as to transform the crisis.
• The tenacity, passion, endurance and non-violent action of Zimbabweans in the face of deep distress.

“Sharing gifts in suffering and joy,” we will carefully monitor developments in the next weeks and months, and together with the local Brethren in Christ churches will continue, with increased commitment, to support ongoing advocacy for justice and reconciliation, to provide emergency food resources to the hungry, assistance to the generations at risk from HIV/AIDS, and fervent intercession before God that justice will flow like a river to bring healing and hope to a weary land (Isaiah 58; Amos 4).

Dr. Nancy Heisey President (2003-2009)

Dr. Larry Miller Executive Secretary

Dr. Mesach Krisetya President (1997-2003)

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, 17 August 2003