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2009-11-17 issue:

The Mennonite's moratorium

by Ron Hunsicker, Lititz, Pa.

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Regarding the moratorium on letters and articles addressing Mennonite Church USA’s teaching position on sexuality: If not in The Mennonite, then what? The longstanding dilemma is how and where to publically have opposing issue dialogue within a denomination that strives for a homogeneity that does not exist. The recent comments on whether or not to lift the moratorium on a particular issue accentuates the issue. If The Mennonite serves as the official publication of the denomination—and by inference the official promulgator of official positions—then where is the appropriate place to have alternative positions presented and argued? If it is not The Mennonite, then such voices will be driven underground and marginalized, and therefore dialogue will be eliminated.

When The Mennonite was a publication of the General Conference Mennonite Church, it was a vehicle where lively and challenging positions were shared and apparently not seen as a threat to the denomination. My perception is that this has now changed. We need a publication of and for the membership of Mennonite Church USA and not necessarily of and for the "denominational structure of Mennonite Church USA." The interests are not necessarily the same. Since our conferences have lost the ability to promote genuine dialogue, it becomes increasingly more important for us to have a vehicle that promotes family discussions, differences and community building, not moratoriums.

Associated Issue: Moved by the Spirit - Nov. 3, 2009

Associated Article: About the moratorium

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