Joanna Harader - Pastor of Bethel College Mennonite Church, KS

October 8, 2025

Subject: Encouragement for upcoming MCC board meeting

To the Boards Members of Mennonite Central Committee,

Thank you for your role in supporting and holding accountability for the important work of Mennonite Central Committee.

I am writing to you ahead of your meetings in Akron on October 17 and 18, 2025, to encourage you to engage in open, prayerful, and likely uncomfortable conversations about how to respond faithfully to the many people who have reported experiencing abuse from MCC leadership.

As a Mennonite pastor who shares MCC’s commitment to follow the way of Jesus, I write with deep concern about MCC’s ongoing response to survivor reports of harm. MCC’s public and private rhetoric consistently diminishes and blames survivors and those seeking to support them. MCC continues to insist that situations of employee abuse are “isolated” and that they do not use Non-disclosure agreements; these statements severely diminish the credibility of the organization as reports of MCC’s abuse and use of NDAs continue to be made public.

The response of MCC leadership to reports of harm experienced at the hands of MCC too closely reflects the broader US political culture right now: entrenching in camps of “us” and “them;” being more concerned about perception than truth; treating the most vulnerable as a problem rather than as beloveds who require special care. I know that this attitude does not represent the heart of Mennonite Central Committee. You, as a member of the MCC board, face a unique opportunity on October 17 and 18 to speak up and lead MCC to demonstrate the life-giving way of Jesus over and against the protectionist tendencies of institutional culture.

Please use your voice to advocate for honesty, transparency, accountability, and care for those who have suffered harm. As a board member, please advocate for the following:

1. Accept the facilitated conversation parameters proposed by facilitators Cory Lockhart and Rus Funk on June 21, 2025, for conversations with Anicka Fast and John Clarke.

2. Commit to an independent external investigation into MCC’s handling of abuse allegations. Many Mennonite leaders and some MC USA conferences have been asking for this for a while now. The choice of firm and the mandate of the investigation must be approved by the MCC Abuse Survivors Together (MAST) steering committee. The investigation must include binding public recommendations about accountability for perpetrators and reparations for survivors.

3. Release survivors and former staff from non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that prevent truth-telling. As a board, you can take action by publicly committing to the #NDAfree pledge (see https://www.ndafree.org/pledge/).

When MCC commits to these important steps, I will joyfully offer monthly financial support and encourage my congregation to increase its giving.

I commit to hold you in prayer on October 16 and 17 as you engage in these brave and faithful conversations.

In faith and solidarity,

Rev. Joanna Harader

Pastor, Bethel College Mennonite Church

North Newton, KS

Please note: I am sending this directly to Emerson, as US Board Chair, and to other board members that I have some acquaintance/connection with. Please feel free to share with others. I consider this a public letter and give MAST permission to post it online.