From the editor

Leadership styles change when a congregation calls a new pastor. This is because no two leaders have the same dispositions, gifts and preparation for the role. The same is true for Mennonite Church USA; new executive director Ervin Stutzman’s leadership will be different from Jim Schrag’s. Just as with a pastoral change, some people will immediately embrace the change while others may not.

I have worked with both leaders over the years and know them well. Here is what the future may hold:

1. Ervin emerged from some of the most theologically conservative Anabaptist groups. Originally Beachy Amish and later ordained by the Conservative Mennonite Conference, Ervin rose to the moderator role in Lancaster (Pa.) Mennonite Conference and then dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, Va. Some may worry he is too far right of center, but Ervin has shown he can listen respectfully and then collaborate.

2. Ervin has experience managing large systems. Although he did spend some time pastoring and serves as a bishop, Ervin brings a successful track record as moderator of the largest conference in Mennonite Church USA (Lancaster) and as a vice president at Eastern Mennonite University.

3. Ervin knows what it is like to lead an area conference. Many denominational leaders have pointed out that since the formation of Mennonite Church USA in 2001, not enough attention has been given to the needs of districts and area conferences. The appointment of this former conference leader is an indication the search committees heard loud and clear the need for significant attention to district and conference needs in the future.

4. Ervin will bring some institutional memory to the task from the old Mennonite Church (MC). Although the four churchwide program boards—Mennonite Mission Network Mennonite Mutual Aid, Mennonite Publishing Network and Mennonite Education Agency—inherited more from the old MC culture than from the General Conference Mennonite Church (GC), the same has not been true of the Executive Board since its formation.

During its first five or six years, the Executive Board included several former GC leaders with strong influence, but it included virtually no MC memory from the premerger era. The contentious “one-board” proposal unveiled in 2008, in some ways, was a manifestation of these cultural differences (see also page 42). Those latent dynamics remain: 75 percent of Menno­nite Church USA members are former MCs, and 25 percent are former GCs, although some congregations had dual membership.

5. Ervin will bring energy and extroversion to the executive director’s office. It is apparent that he is eager to again get to know the broader church after his days as Mennonite Church USA moderator (2001-2003): He has asked his staff to schedule him to preach in as many congregations as possible when he travels to meetings. His extroversion was on display for us all last summer as he led the Convention 2009 delegates through the daily Dwelling in the Word Bible studies.

Those of us at The Mennonite will have early interaction with our new leader. He has agreed to join our annual board and staff retreat in April. By that time we will have some first impressions and know a bit more how the church may change under his leadership.

The gifts, disposition and preparation Ervin brings to the role will excite some of us and leave others apprehensive. This is normal for any leader, whether a new pastor or a new executive director.

We wish Ervin Stutzman the best and believe he is the leader God called to this role.