MWR : Articles : Sexuality

Articles : Sexuality

The true church?

In response to the Nov. 28 article, “Should One Issue Define Us?”: When I joined the Mennonite church I knew it was a welcoming church. But I also knew it was a “such were some of you” church, but “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God” (1 Cor. 6:11). Later I read Menno Simons’ sermon on “The New Birth,” in which he said: “Do you not know that the holy Christian church is a gathering of the righteous and a fellowship of the saints? But you really have to confess that you are an assembly of the adulterous, the unrighteous, the carnal, the murderous, the sodomitical … Therefore it follows you are not of the true church of Jesus Christ” (page 48, translated and edited by Irvin B. Horst, published by the Mennonite Historical Society).

Should one issue define us?

There have always been differences among Mennonites over how to interpret church documents. Recently, there have been calls for Mennonite Church USA to impose churchwide uniformity on the interpretation of these documents, particularly as they relate to pastoral credentialing issues and same-sex marriage ceremonies. We believe such a move would not only repudiate the direction set in the “Purposeful Plan” at the Pittsburgh convention this summer but would be a recipe for increased conflict, distraction and polarization.

Step to reconcile

At the Mennonite Church USA convention in Pittsburgh in July, I was impressed with the focus on relationship building and reconciliation. I observed, however, that people with a gay sexual orientation were not accepted in the official convention program. A gay Mennonite support group rented a church nearby that offered space for people who wished to learn and understand how the church is doing with inclusion of gay persons.

Decision to not discipline pastor stands after challenge

NORTH NEWTON, Kan. — Western District Conference delegates on July 30 turned away a challenge to a decision not to discipline a pastor for officiating at a same-sex covenant ceremony.

Pastor not disciplined for same-sex ceremony

The credentials of a Kansas pastor who performed a same-sex covenant ceremony last year have been reviewed and found “in order.”

Goshen students release open letter

A group of Goshen (Ind.) College students recently released an open letter asking for inclusion of openly gay faculty. A series of events and conversations on campus has surrounded the letter.

Pastor removed from worship council

A gay Mennonite pastor whose ministry credentials were revoked in 2009 has been expelled from a U.S.-Canadian worship committee.

Calif. pastor sanctioned for officiating gay ceremony

An area conference has placed the ministerial credentials of Sheri Hostetler, pastor of First Mennonite Church of San Francisco, on probation for two years because she officiated at a wedding of two men in October 2008.

Event supports people in sexuality struggles

REISTERSTOWN, Md. — About 70 people gathered April 9-11 for the 21st annual Connecting Families weekend.

Gathering upholds sexuality stance

LANSDALE, Pa. — Drawing on Scripture and official Mennonite statements, presenters at a conference on homosexuality Feb. 20 were unequivocal that its practice is sin but that its practitioners can be redeemed.