For he is our peace...;
that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two,
thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross...,
So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near...;
Ephesians 2:14-17

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ:

We are now sending to you now a summary of the Peace Audit conducted in 2011-2012 by the Peace Commission of Mennonite World Conference. We requested a response to the question:

How are you doing in being a “Peace Church?

We commend this summary to you for close study, reflection, and prayer. It is encouraging to see that MWC member-churches:

a) Are aware of their identity as Peace Churches;

b) Are creatively working at what this means in the many contexts we represent;

c) Acknowledge the challenges and complexities they face in their efforts to be obedient to Christ as disciples of the Prince of Peace;

d) Confess that there is a gap between who we say we are and what we do;

e) Clearly identify the need for support, especially in prayer and key resources needed.

We are very grateful to the churches who took the time to respond to the question. As we listed the challenges identified, we became aware again that being a “Peace Church” is indeed an awesome calling: one that confronts us with incredible opportunities but within persistent, contextual difficulties. It is evident that the forces aligned against a “Peace Church” identity and vocation come both from inside and outside the church. In Ephesians, the Apostle focuses the important vocation of Peace:

a) Christ is peace;

b) Christ creates a new humanity characterized by reconciliation –with God and with each other;

c) The key “instrument” of peace experienced by Christ was an instrument of execution: the cross;

d) As a reconciled people, we are a body with the ministry of reconciliation: in all we do;

e) Peace is the heart of the gospel we are called to proclaim and live.The Peace Commission will also continue to reflect on these results, and determine what role MWC can play in encouraging the church in its calling to live and proclaim the peace of Christ.

This Peace Audit can, of course, never be fully finished. If your church has not yet responded, we welcome your response as well. We can all pray for each other, knowing that we have distinct yet common challenges, and that we are committed to the same Prince of Peace as Lord of our lives.

May God richly bless you in every good way,

Robert J. Suderman

Secretary, Peace Commission of Mennonite World Conference

August, 2012