About the moratorium
Editorial
by Everett J. ThomasPrint Article Email to a Friend
We received many thoughtful and sensitive letters in response to the question: Should The Mennonite lift its moratorium on articles and letters that address Mennonite Church USA's teaching position on sexuality? (See "The Dangers of Dialogue," Sept. 15.) Because of these responses, we are under some obligation to report our current thinking on the matter.
The letters—some for publication and some not—provided broad context for our board of directors' meeting on Sept. 27. As a result, we decided to search for a way to be helpful to the church as it wrestles with the conflict surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity issues. At our board’s request, I am developing a proposal for a number of article ideas and will ask Executive Leadership whether such a plan would be helpful. The articles include some or all of the following:
• Review of the important Mennonite Church USA documents that establish our denomination’s teaching position on sexuality.
• A feature article on a pastor or a congregation that ministers according to these documents with the most generous interpretation possible.
• A story of a congregation that resolved a deep conflict and the resources they used to do so.
• An article highlighting the different ways we read the Bible.
• An article on how the church can pray about the issue.
• A feature story on a person with same-sex orientation who remains faithful to the church’s teachings on celibacy.
Why not just publish these things without checking with others? Because, in their deliberations last summer, Mennonite Church USA delegates asked the Executive Board to work with area conferences to develop resources for the conflict. The delegates did not ask The Mennonite to do this; we do not want to pre-empt the work being done among conference leaders.
Most of these ideas were suggested by board members during our discussion. I’ve added the last one, however, because it is an issue that is seldom addressed. I also noticed that the broader Evangelical community is now beginning to take a more nuanced look at the question of sexual orientation and faithfulness.
In the October issue of Christianity Today, Bobby Ross Jr. reports on a resolution adopted by the 150,000-member American Psychological Association (ASA) governing council. According to Ross, the resolution acknowledges that "some clients may be distressed due to a conflict between their sexual orientation and religious beliefs."
Ross also points out that this concession by the ASA "exposed a divide in the evangelical therapy community." The divide is over reparative therapy—treatment to change orientation as is done by Exodus International—and sexual identity therapy. Ross quotes a Christian counselor who describes this kind of therapy as helping clients "sort out their beliefs and work out an identity and life that fits within the client's beliefs."
I do not recall ever reading an article written by a Mennonite with same-sex orientation who shared how he or she remains faithful to the church's teachings. But I know some committed sisters and brothers in the church who have done so and continue to be faithful. Perhaps these people can provide the most helpful resources. I can imagine that they have thought and prayed about their situations far more than have the rest of us.
Area conference leaders are now being asked by Executive Board to identify the resources they need for addressing the conflict. Congregations and leaders that wish to get involved can best do so by contacting their area conference leaders who are developing responses.
What emerges from this effort may frame the discussion for the next several years. We expect to be a partner in that discernment and will open our pages to discussion of the issue within the framework being established.
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Editorial: "About the moratorium"
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Kelly Watson HuntMy concern is when we start splitting hairs on scripture... reading it this way, interpreting it that way. Can we not love those who struggle, and not water down Gods word? I have complete compassion for anyone in this situation... but I do not want to see it promoted. And as narrow minded as this will probably sound to many; I've gone to church my... Read More entire life and my sexuality has never, not one time ever come up as an issue. Perhaps we need to address it lovingly, kindly, but I fail to see where we need to adapt to someones alternate lifestyle? When do we call it sin? Is the church afraid to?
One additional comment: The MCC is forming a reputation equivelent to that of The Episcopal & Lutheran Churches. Most conservative Mennonites I know have lost respect for the MCC and I very much want to be a squeaky wheel if it will make any difference? I want us to be a Godly, Holy people, even if we are not as traditional as other Mennonite groups.
Agenda confirmed on f/b.
How about a story on a gay couple faithfully living a monogamous relationship? I don't think that would be too hard to find. Would it shock straight readers too much to realize that the love gay people share is just as deep and spiritual and even practiced in monogamy as much as that of straight persons? Merv Horst New York, New York
Muttley1 wrote: The MCC is forming a reputation equivelent to that of The Episcopal & Lutheran Churches. Muttley1, did you mean MCC or MCUSA?
I would second bruder4321's suggestion. Granted, such a couple would, strictly speaking, not be following the teachings of the church regarding sexual orientation. However, there are many who find those teachings to be flawed, and this couple may well be exemplary, spiritually driven individuals in every other respect. The difficulty I see with the current approach is it does not address this issue directly enough in an effort to maintain unity. Since this issue is a human rights and sin issue on the one side, an issue absolute biblical truth and sin on the other, theology is already diverging. Failure to address the issue directly will only allow tensions to build on both sides. A lively debate is needed on both sides of this issue if we are to make progress, but it must be with the understanding that we are all honest people of good faith, but with different stances. It must be done in the understanding that we are spiritual kin who refuse to become enemies. I would challenge The Mennonite to run a series of side-by-side columns by people with opposing views of the issue, but who can argue as friends and coreligionists. The Mennonite would thus provide a service in perhaps teaching the rest of us how to discuss the issue in a respectful manner.
I would be interested in reading a story about a monogamous gay couple. I believe that it is important to get all points of view on an issue, and know that there are many gay people and gay couples who are part of Mennonite churches. I understand that being part of a monogamous gay couple is against the official statement of the Mennonite Church, but these people are real. They exist, and I believe their voice needs to be heard to truly address this issue from all sides.