May 23 issue
Choice to exclude
By Elsie Enns Steelberg Wichita, Kan.The April 18 issue reported that a gay Mennonite pastor was expelled from a U.S.-Canadian worship committee despite his contributions to the church. My church uses two song books for which he was the project editor. Sadly, the “primary reason” is that he is in a committed relationship with another man — which, according to another report (“Seminary Ex-President Can Return to Ministry,” April 18), appears more difficult for the church to accept than forgiving failure in a heterosexual relationship. A third report notes the appointment of a person to watch over inclusivity in the church in issues related to racism and immigration (“New Role to Focus on Antiracism, immigration,” May 2) but does not mention including our fellow Christians because of their sexual orientation.
In 1981 when I was serving on the Human Sexuality Study Committee of the General Conference Mennonite Church and Mennonite Church, and had spent considerable time exploring sexual orientation medically and theologically, I thought that in 10 years the church would recognize that sexual orientation is not a choice and would celebrate love between persons of the same sex. How wrong I was.
Instead of using the gifts that would benefit us and glorify God, some choose to exclude those who love someone of the same sex. We are taught to love as God has loved us. An email I received this week spoke of the suicide risk in young people of same-sex orientation. Should not the church be a place of welcome and acceptance?
Comments
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Ms. Steelberg, are you suggesting that God was unaware the people of Sodom and Gomorrah had no choice in their sexual orientation and destroyed them in error? Ms. Steelberg, are you saying that God owes the world an apology regarding the destruction of these cities to reflect the conclusions of certain physiatrists who conducted special studies funded by the GLBTQ community? Ms. Steelberg, are you also saying the New Testament Scriptures on this subject are in error?
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