For The Record

Submit birth, marriage and obituary records online.

Personal Ads

Meet new friends today!

Advertising

Put your message in front of 19,000 readers.

PDF documents on this site require the free Adobe Reader:

Get Adobe Reader

2010-04-06 issue:

Two hundred gather to 'affirm the faith'

Five pastors reinforce traditional teachings on human sexuality.

by Heidi Martin

Print Article

"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. 

The need for the conference became apparent to both Hershberger and Lowell Delp, pastor of Line Lexington (Pa.) Mennonite Church, as “at [this] time when there are growing calls to change our denominational position about homosexuality,” Hershberger said.

In response, Hershberger and Delp called together a group of pastors from Eastern District Conference and Franconia Mennonite Conference to take action. 

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

Don Fry, pastor of New Eden Fellowship in 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 principle in the Anabaptist movement. He went on to give an overview of several important themes found in the Bible: the people of God stand out from the culture of the world and this unique identity honors God: God is the Creator of all things, including sexuality, and there is an 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."

Delp focused on three words, wrath, abandonment and grace, and 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, he said, since they practice "sexual immorality" and partake in "unnatural relationships." Once the heart and body are affected, the mind also changes, Delp said. But according to Delp, God’s wrath and abandonment can be reversed.

"The Jesus I know certainly loves all people regardless of sin," Delp said. "But the Jesus I know loves people too much to let them stay there. 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 reminded the group that everyone is in need of salvation. Through the second question, he said, "Homosexuality violates God’s purpose for the body." Through the third question, he challenged the group to use the body in service to God.

Charles Ness, pastor of 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 and the permanence of marriage and celibacy for the unmarried. Ness emphasized safe communities and reconciliation vs. 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 in Perkasie, Pa., concluded the five pastoral presentations with "They Will Turn Their Ears Away From the Truth" from 2 Timothy 4:1-8. Schmell said that the Mennonite church often fails to encourage. As a result, people turn from the gospel to live the way they want to live.

The conference also included a time for personal testimony. Both Ben Cochrane, from Harvest USA, and Shawn Harrison, from Six11 Ministries, shared their individual journeys away from same-sex relationships. The church played a large role for both men along the way. The men challenged attendees to extend arms to hurting people.

Six11 Ministries grew out of Harrison's passion to reach out to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered community. The vision of Six11 is simple: share God's identity and wholeness. Harvest USA began in 1983 and is committed to equipping individuals, families and churches. Harvest USA offers individual discipleship and mentoring, support and accountability groups.

Audio and visual copies of the conference are available. Contact Grace Mennonite Church for information

Current Stories

Articles

News stories, digests and Meno Acontecer

Columns

Births and Marriages

Readers Say

Subscribe