Celebrations bookended the triennial meeting of the Mennonite World Conference General Council on May 26-28 in Schwäbisch-Gmünd, Germany.

Representatives from 52 countries celebrated MWC’s centennial with a worship service, giving thanks that the first MWC assembly 100 years ago has grown into a world communion whose members continue to seek unity amid diversity.

After their meeting, General Council members attended the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Ana­baptism in Zurich, Switzerland.

The General Council, made up of delegates from all member churches, meets every three years to shape the mandate of MWC, share concerns and insights and worship together.

The council came to consensus on MWC’s future direction: to forge strong connections between churches, address creation care and empower its networks and young people.

The four MWC networks — which promote cooperation in education, mission, peace and service — held planning and resourcing sessions.

The council approved the networks’ terms of reference, which provide a clearer purpose and consistent structure.

“This will make it easier for member organizations to focus on their purpose: stronger collaboration, sharing of best practices, providing shared opportunities for training and accomplishing things together that each cannot attempt individually,” said J Ron Byler, coordinator of commission secretaries.

The Executive Committee decided to dissolve the Global Anabaptist Health Network due to a failure to coalesce.

The council approved two teaching documents: “For God So Loved the Cosmos,” on creation care in the climate crisis; and “Restoring Our Family to Wholeness,” arising from dialogues with the World Communion of Reformed Churches.

The council approved the 2025-2028 Fair Share plan and financial projections. Delegates were reminded that the Fair Share — the financial contribution that member churches are encouraged to give to MWC — can be negotiated.

“Negotiating is particularly relevant for member churches experiencing war or natural disasters or whose financial means are lower than their country’s economic indicators,” said Bruce Campbell-Janz, chief development officer. “Meanwhile, in the spirit of 2 Corinthians 8:13-15, we encourage churches with more ­financial capability to give beyond their Fair Share amount.”

Jeanette Bissoon, chief financial officer, said: “MWC will enter the next three years on solid financial ground due to increased foundational and individual giving, and we thank our donors and supporters for your affirmation of MWC’s work.”

Several proposals regarding youth engagement were on the docket. Since the Young AnaBaptists Committee was implemented in 2011, its role has continued to be refined.

The General Council approved reappointing YABs Committee members on a three-year cycle, instead of six. This change follows the decision to make the Global Youth Summit a triennial event — increased from every six years — on the same schedule as the General Council.

“For young adults today, the probability of life-altering changes happening within their six-year term is high — from studying to working, from singlehood to raising their own family or relocating between cities or even countries. Three years is a more feasible length of commitment,” said Ebenezer Mondez, YABs mentor.

A proposal to include YABs delegates in the General Council did not reach consensus. Council members affirmed the work of the YABs and the importance of training young adults for leadership. However, there was reticence to bring on a young adult as an additional voting delegate for each full member church.

The decision was postponed for more discernment.

“If it were accepted, it would be great,” said Tusia Andina, YABs delegate from Indonesia. “We’d have ‘youth thought’ in discussions, critical questions on decisions — more of a wider view on everything.”

Erik Loewen, YABs delegate from Paraguay, said: “If we function on consensus, we have to believe that the Holy Spirit is acting, even when a proposal is defeated or deferred.”

The council welcomed three new MWC member churches:

Mennonite Church Burundi (full member);

Kanisa La Mennonite La Kiinjili Tanzania (full member);

Association of Mennonite Brethren Churches of Ukraine (associate member).

The Executive Committee also approved associate member church Iglesia Cristiana Menonita del Perú, bringing total membership to 111. Admission of the Peruvian church — planted by Colombian children’s ministry workers — will come before the General Council in 2028.

Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld, outgoing chair of the Faith and Life Commission, offered a resourcing session on how the Gospels and Paul’s letters speak about the nature of baptism and following Jesus.

“Baptism is linked indivisibly to the unity and diversity within the body of Christ,” he said. “Our challenge is to make baptism operational in our churches and within MWC itself. We are God’s hands and feet in our world.”

Each day closed with testimonies of witness from around the world. Tom Eshleman and Hyacinth Stevens of LMC, the Lancaster, Pa.-based Anabaptist denomination, spoke of operating with love amid diversity and polarization in the United States.

Roman Rakhuba of the Association of Mennonite Brethren Churches of Ukraine shared about pastors serving on the front line in Ukraine, sharing God’s love with children and soldiers affected by the war with Russia.