Appreciated meaningful conversations

Print Article

Attending the Mennonite Church USA convention, I spent most of my time in the exhibit hall at the MennoNeighbors booth, where our focus was on peace and justice issues. I felt overwhelming affirmation as I engaged in discussions with many people of all ages.

I was especially interested in the different approaches to discussing areas where we differ from each other. Fruitful dialogue happens when two parties actually listen to each other, showing mutual respect for another's feelings as well as beliefs. I want to give special thanks to several pastor-leaders who stopped by the booth and engaged in meaningful discussion, even though they did not agree with MennoNeighbors on the issue of lgbtq inclusion in the church. They made a lasting impression on me, exemplifying what Mennonite Church USA is asking of its members. How different those conversations felt from several encounters with youth pastor-leaders who came up to me with Bibles in hand, using Scripture to tell me how wrong I am. From their body language as they approached, I could tell it would be an encounter rather than a dialogue.

As the church deals with differing voices, my prayer is that we will learn to listen to each other and try to stand in the shoes of those among us who want to be a vital part of the church but are excluded because of who they are.

Current Stories

Articles

• Together in faith
• A diary of worship and Bible study
• Interpreters: 'The better you do, the less you're noticed'
• Giant cooker assists feeding of the thousands
• Paraguayan Mennonite facts
• Mennonite World Conference's future?
• 'If I don't get paid, I can't say no'
• Singing each other's songs

News stories, digests and Meno Acontecer

• Stutzman named executive director
• WEB EXCLUSIVE: What silent prayer can do
• Talk to the editor of The Mennonite
• How to avoid the 'Styrofoam wars'
• UPDATE: Bartel out as Bethel College president
• CPT trainings attempt to 'undo' sexism
• MWC has new president, vice president
• Third culture kids hold first reunion
• Hispanic Women worship despite economy
• First-generation immigrants build bridges
• Christian Peacemaker Teams work in IDP camp
• MCC had $8 million deficit in 2008-09 year
• EMM send-off also honors trailblazers
• The Corinthian Plan draws 400 so far
• ¡Bienvenidos al Meno Acontecer de septiembre, 2009!
• Cruce de Caminos.
• Seminario Bíblico Anabautista Hispano
• Y tú me diste la Bienvenida: Una consulta del pueblo de Dios sobre la inmigración
• ¡Educación Continuada, octubre 29 al 1 de noviembre!
• ¿Sabía usted que
• ¡Becas en ciencias!
• IBA en las Iglesias - Newton, Kan.
• Resoluciones denominacionales
• Elegido nuevo Director Ejecutivo para la denominación
• Reflexiones Pastorales - 6a parte
• De nuestros lectores y colaboradores ..

Columns

• Thirty good seconds on Saturday
• The blessing of a shuttle driver
• Unromantic unity
• Paraguay 2009 singing touches the soul
• Healing, hope and health-care reform.

Readers Say

• PinkMenno campaign crossed lines
• PinkMenno campaign tactics immoral
• Supports PinkMenno campaign
• Appreciated meaningful conversations
• Disagrees with The Mennonite's moratorium
• Vacationaries article is misleading
• Make room for young women to lead
• Formal response to PinkMenno campaign