February 2, 2024

Re SCMC Affiliation

Important Announcement

As you are aware, last summer SCMC began a process of seeking a new ministry partner that would better fit our vision, mission and theological position. Since then, a Task Force has been prayerfully, methodically, and conscientiously assessing the needs and expectations of our churches and researching the potential ministry partners that are available. We are happy to announce that the task force has come back with a recommendation. The complete Recommendation from the Task Force is below.

Announcement: 

After months of prayerful research and discernment the SCMC Affiliation Task Force recommends that SCMC pursue an affiliation with LMC (formerly Lancaster Mennonite Conference.) 

Next Steps:

The job of the Task Force was to assess our needs and expectations and to recommend the organization that they find to be the best fit. They have done that, and we thank them for their service. The next step is for each of us, as individual churches, is to get acquainted with LMC and determine if they are the best fit us individually. There will be a series of meetings throughout the spring and early summer to facilitate that process. In addition, new information and updates will be announced by email. If you would like to be included on this email list, please feel free to contact me.  

In Conclusion:

Please feel free to share this information in whatever way seems appropriate in your setting. Additional information regarding this important time in our lives will be sent in the coming weeks.

Please keep each other in your prayers as we move forward into the next chapter that God has planned for us.

Thank you, and God bless you and yours.

Phil Rosenberger

SCMC Network Chair

Affiliation Recommendation from the Affiliation Task Force

After numerous conversations and exploration with potential affiliation groups, along with insights gained from written surveys and direct discussions with congregational pastors and leaders in our Conference, we, the South Central Mennonite Task Force, recommend LMC (Formerly Lancaster Mennonite Conference) as the preferred affiliation partner. This decision was arrived at through a thoughtful and prayerful process that we are humbled to participate in.

The following is a brief overview of LMC and why we believe the NLT ought to pursue network affiliation further.

LMC is a fellowship of more than 270 congregations located in sixteen states and Central America – with member congregations in Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. 

The missional vision of LMC is: 

A Spirit-led movement to:

● Make disciples of Jesus,

● Mobilize every member as a missionary, and

● Multiply faith communities locally and beyond!

While the Task Force found faithful love of Jesus and the desire to see churches grow spiritually and in faithful evangelism in all potential affiliation groups, LMC is the recommendation for a variety of reasons. Among them are: 

· LMC is guided by the “Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective” which has been SCMC’s guiding document since its adoption in 1995. 

· LMC is organized around districts making the absorption of SCMC into LMC structures seem a most natural process. 

· Approximately 50% of LMC congregations are majority non-white so that LMC will immediately provide support and belonging for kindred congregations that make up ⅓ of South Central Conference. 

For a brief introduction to LMC see the “LMC Profile” HERE or visit their WEB Site at: https://lmcchurches.org/

Your consideration of these recommendations is highly valued, and we look forward to the opportunity to further discuss and explore the potential affiliation with LMC. We ask that you continue to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in this matter, as we attempt to discern God’s will for the South Central Mennonite Conference.

SCMC Affiliation Task Force

Kurt Horst, Howard Wagler, Brad Roth, Kendra Horst, Kevin Santiago, David Roth