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2010-09-01 issue:

Mennonite Publishing Network executive director to retire

by John Longhurst

Print Article

In 2003, when Ron Rempel was named the new executive director of Mennonite Publishing Network (MPN), the organization faced a very uncertain future.
 
Today, as he prepares to leave MPN, it still faces challenges—but it also has many new and exciting opportunities and possibilities.
 
"It's been a very satisfying experience," says Rempel of his time with MPN, the publishing ministry of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada. "It was a privilege to serve the church through publishing."

Rempel, 65, announced his retirement Sept. 23 during the MPN board meeting in Pittsburgh, Pa. He will leave the organization next summer.
 
During his seven years as executive director, MPN eliminated a legacy debt of almost $5 million; created a major new Sunday school curriculum, called Gather 'Round; brought costs under control through consolidation and downsizing; brought out a number of successful new titles; and began a process leading to integration with Third Way Media, a department of Mennonite Mission Network, to create a new organization that will focus on publishing, video, radio and the Internet.
 
All of these things will be part of Rempel's legacy, says MPN Board Chair Phil Bontrager, noting that he "provided consistent and gentle leadership" during times of "significant change and disruption."
 
Rempel also "worked to strengthen MPN's ties with the church in Canada and the USA," he says, adding that the MPN Board "is deeply grateful for his leadership, for revitalizing MPN, and for building a new vision for the future."
 
"Ron accepted the challenge of leading MPN at a very difficult and pivotal time in its ministry," says Dave Bergen, executive secretary, of Christian Formation for Mennonite Church Canada. "He steered the MPN ship successfully through rocky fiscal and relational seas with a great deal of wisdom, courage, prayer and sheer tenacity."
 
Mennonite Church Canada "owes him a debt of gratitude for the service he has provided," he adds.
 
For Marty Lehman, director of Mennonite Church USA churchwide operations, Rempel not only brought "a good understanding of the church, but also of publishing, business and how to relate to people. He took on an incredibility difficult job, taking on an organization in bad shape and turning it around."
 
Looking back, Rempel says it's been good to be "part of MPN's turnaround." But what was especially gratifying, he says, was "to see the church re-embrace publishing, and to see MPN draw closer to the church."
 
At the same time, he says, "there are still challenges ahead for the new organization and a lot of work yet to be done ... I'm looking forward to how we will find new ways to be of service to the church and a witness to the world."

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