Conference affirms teachings on sexuality

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"We're glad the day is finally here. More importantly, we thank God that you're here."

These words from Marc Hershberger, pastor of Grace Mennonite Church in Lansdale, Pa., opened the one-day conference titled "Affirming the Faith: What the Mennonite Church Believes about Homosexuality" on Feb. 20. Nearly 200 people attended. 

Marc Hershberger addresses conference participants. Photo by Heidi Martin.

"The vision was to provide a positive, proactive contribution to our Mennonite community," Hershberger said, "by holding a conference on this subject that led with Scripture and helped people understand the grace-filled purpose of biblical truth in keeping with our denominational statements."

Both Hershberger and Lowell Delp said they saw a need for the conference, especially as the topic of homosexuality continues to inundate conversations and publications within the Mennonite community, they said. In response Hershberger and Delp called together a group of pastors from Eastern District Conference and Franconia Mennonite Conference to take action. Delp is the pastor of the Line Lexington (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

"As this was a conference to encourage and equip members of our Mennonite community, the input was provided primarily by pastors from this community, rather than outside sources," Hershberger said. "This is because we acknowledge that pastors are the denominationally ordained shepherds of our Mennonite communities."

Pastor Don Fry of New Eden Fellowship, Schwenksville, Pa., opened the first session with "And They Will Become One Flesh."

"The reality is, truth cannot exist without love," Fry said. "The reality is, love cannot exist without truth."

Fry affirmed that scripture emulates both truth and love, which is why it has always been a core principal in the Anabaptist movement. He went on to give an overview of several important themes found in the Bible. The first theme is the idea that the people of God stand out from the culture of the world. This unique identity honors God. The second theme views God as the Creator of all things, including sexuality. The third theme is the ability to live free from the bondage of sin.

Drawing on Romans 1:18-32, Delp's session was titled "Therefore, God Gave Them Over."

"I must tell you, I do not enjoy preaching about the wrath of God," Delp began.

Delp focused on three words: wrath, abandonment and grace. Delp asserted that God's wrath and abandonment begin when God's people turn from God. Eventually, God also turns away, leaving people to follow their own sinful desires. They practice sexual immorality and partake in unnatural relationships, he said. Once the heart and body are affected, the mind also changes.

God's wrath and abandonment can be reversed.

"The Jesus I know certainly loves all people regardless of sin, but the Jesus I know loves people too much to let them stay there," said Delp. "God loves the world and I pray the Mennonite church never forgets that. The question is, do we love the world that much?"

Hershberger presented "Such Were Some of You," addressing three questions that Paul submitted to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 6:9-20. Through the first question, Hershberger told the group that everyone is in need of salvation. Through the second question, he said that homosexuality violates God's purpose for the body. Through the third question, he challenged the group to use the body in service to God.

"Our body is an important tool for bringing glory and honor to Jesus Christ," Hershberger said who also addressed the idea of grace. "The grace of God is not free—it is not a wink of God's eye or a shrug of the shoulders. Grace never frees us to continue to do what scripture says not to do. It frees us and empowers us to do what the scripture tells us to do."

Pastor Charles Ness from Perkiomenville (Pa.) Mennonite Church shared from Matthew 19:3-6 and John 8:1-11 on "Neither Do I condemn You; Go Now and Leave Your Life of Sin." He spoke on the purpose of marriage, the permanence of marriage and celibacy for the unmarried. He also included points on the power of love and the link between rejection and "unwholesome sexuality." Ness also emphasized safe communities and reconciliation verses condemnation and separation.

"If we are going to teach the truth of Scripture—as has been done so well today—we must come alongside with the hand of grace and mercy and a community of hope," Ness said. "If we can't do one, then we can't do the other."

Rodger Schmell, pastor of Deep Run West Mennonite Church, Perkasie, Pa., concluded the five pastoral presentations with "They will Turn Their Ears Away from the Truth" from 2 Timothy 4:1-8. According to this passage, Christians are called to preach, correct, rebuke and encourage.

Schmell confessed that Mennonite Church USA often fails on this last point and, as a result, people turn from the Gospel to live the way they want to live. Though the challenge to remain steadfast despite adversity is difficult, Schmell encouraged the group to endure hardship and remain strong even as Paul charged Timothy.

To provide practical application to the sessions, the conference also included a time for personal testimony.

"We wanted to demonstrate through teaching and testimonies that when we talk about truth and grace, we are talking about both and that if we try to have one without the other we have neither," said Hershberger.

Both Ben Cochrane, from Harvest USA, and Shawn Harrison, from six11 Ministries, shared their personal journeys away from same-sex relationships. The church played a large role for both men along the way. They challenged attendees to extend arms to hurting people.

"It's above and beyond time to deal with this issue, because if we do not, we will lose people to Jesus Christ," Harrison said. "Many more churches need to do what we're doing today. I love the church—we are the church—part of our job is to make sure we function together to influence the world for Jesus Christ."

Six11 ministries grew out of Harrison's passion to reach out to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community. The vision of Six11 is simple: share God's identity and wholeness. The ministry offers seminars, workshops and Sunday school sessions on topics such as teenage sexuality, same-sex relationships and sexual purity.

Harvest USA began in 1983 and today is committed to equipping individuals, families and churches. Harvest USA offers individual discipleship and mentoring, support and accountability groups for families and seminars and Sunday school curriculums for the church. 

The conference also included a youth break-out session, a question-and-answer session and a prayer of repentance.

"This conference went above and beyond what I expected," said Krystal Keeler of Perkiomenville Mennonite Church. "The topic is very pertinent to today and I was challenged to see more of God's grace in my life and in people I will meet or know now."

"I now know specific adjustments that I need to make related to people I know," said mother Rachel Keeler. "The other side is that there is hope —there can be change."

"The feedback we continue to receive from the conference is both affirming and critical,” Hershberger said. "We are fully aware we were not just preaching to the choir on Saturday. The overwhelming response has been very appreciative."

"We do have vague ideas for the possibility of another Affirming the Faith Conference," Hershberger added. "What the subject nature of the conference would be—if we would do it at all—is not something we have made any decision on yet.  We will wait to see if and how the Lord may lead us in this."

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