Many hands make light work
This adage is one we use frequently when we’re doing work together. A core part of our identity as Mennonite World Conference is living out unity, so pooling our efforts to make a positive difference in the world is fundamental.
Living out unity is calls on each one of us to to share with each other. MWC’s Fair Share operates on this principle (More on Fair Share below). It insists that we all have something to share but also for that sharing to be just, we need to acknowledge our different situations across our planet.
Fair Share
MWC has 110 national member churches in 61 countries around the world. Except in the context of the most grievous situations like active warfare, all member churches are expected to make annual Fair Share contributions to help support MWC’s core work as we’re linked to one another in a worldwide community of faith for fellowship, worship, service and witness.
We share what we have is a meaningful sentiment in most parts of the world. Of course, some have more and some have less, but what’s foundational is that we all give from what we have. We know from Jesus’ story of the widow’s offering in Mark 12 that sacrificial giving is part of reaching out with God’s love.
Today, about 30% of MWC’s annual unrestricted revenue comes through Fair Share contributions from national member churches. These contributions are critical to MWC’s thriving as a worldwide Anabaptist family of faith. In our community of faith, we inspire each other by our investments in building-up the global church community.
Stewardship in the household of faith
We asked several regional representatives to reflect on the meaning they find in MWC’s work in the area of Fair Share. Across the globe, these 13 people are the face of MWC to and for our national member churches. They live in 5 regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America & Caribbean and North America. These experienced leaders help interpret their regional contexts to the rest of the global family They also use their contextual wisdom to help negotiate Fair Share.
Here are some of their thoughts on Fair Share:
Siaka Traoré, living in Burkina Faso and MWC regional rep for Central West Africa, insists that Fair Share is an act of justice, collaboration and communion. Siaka Traoré sees it as justice because it is required of all members without exception based on race or place. To be part of the community, all must contribute.
Willi Hugo Pérez, living in Guatemala and MWC regional rep for Central America, sees MWC’s Fair Share approach as a gesture of love, gratitude and commitment. Willi Hugo Pérez sees the gratitude for the generous gifts, joys and blessings that we receive from God through the beloved family.
Jeremiah Choi, living in Hong Kong and MWC regional rep for Northeast Asia, observes the practical benefits of these annual investments by MWC national member churches. MWC’s support makes it possible for national member church delegates from all over the world to gather and see each other face-to-face as we live out unity together.
Jumanne Magiri, living in Tanzania and MWC regional rep for East Africa, sees Fair Share as a duty we all carry as part of the global Anabaptist family. As we all contribute together, it is an indicator of our stewardship and responsible action as members of the household of faith.
As we join together in the MWC family, we are all called to bring our full selves to enrich each other’s lives. Just as in our families at home, we share love in a variety of ways. Contributing to the building-up of the worldwide Anabaptist family of faith is a powerful way to “preach the gospel” without necessarily using words. It’s an opportunity for all of us to do our share – our Fair Share.
May God continue to bless the work of our hands together.
—Bruce Campbell-Janz is MWC’s Chief Development Officer. He lived in DR Congo on church-related service for eight years and now lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, with his wife Ann.