Homosexuality and bisexuality in the Mennonite churches

About the Mennonite Church. Statements
on the lesbian & gay issue: 1988 to 1998

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A number of statements and resolutions have been made by the various main Mennonite churches in North America: ₁

The MC and GC eventually merged to become the Mennonite Church USA (a.k.a. MC USA) in the year 2000.

1990-JUL:
The Joint Listening Committee for Homosexual Concerns was created as a joint committee of the GC and MC. Part way through their deliberations, two members were added to the committee from the Brethren/Mennonite Council for Gay and Lesbian Concerns. Its task was to:

1991-JUL:
The MC's General Board adopted a series of statements on homosexuality. They

1992-AUG:
The Joint Listening Committee for Homosexual Concerns submitted their report. They concluded:

They recommended that the MC and GC "intensify its [sic] efforts to help congregations study homosexuality in order to discern how homosexuals can relate to the church's life and ministry." They recommended specific actions for the denomination, seminaries, pastors and other congregational leaders.

1993-APR:
The MC General Board rejected the recommendations of the Listening Committee. They:

1995-NOV:
The MC's Council of Faith, Life and Strategy confirmed that the 1987 "A Call to Affirmation, Confession and Covenant Regarding Human Sexuality" document "is the position of the Mennonite Church." The position of the church has been resolved and is fixed. The term "remaining in loving dialogue" refers to supporting homosexuals and their families, admonishing them to remain celibate, and sponsoring ministries which attempt to change gays and lesbians into heterosexuals.

1998-JUL-15: 
The Mennonite Central Committee U.S. signed a letter, along with many Protestant church agencies and denominational offices. It was sent to members of the federal House, and urged the rejection of an amendment initiated by Joel Hefley (R-CO) to HR 4104 - The Treasury Postal Appropriations Bill. It would have legalized discrimination against federal employees based on sexual orientation. This was the first time that the MCC U.S. went on record in support of gays and lesbians. ₂ It said, in part: 

"We recognize that there are theological differences of belief on the issue of homosexuality among people of faith. Such differences exist between and even within our many denominations. Yet we must also recognize the God-given worth and dignity of every individual. Like the majority of Americans, most people of faith still believe that, notwithstanding differences in our theological views, discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation is wrong. 

We are clearly of one voice in opposing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in federal civilian employment. The Hefley amendment, plain and simple, attempts to make that discrimination legal. It is our belief that employees should be judged on their job performance, not their sexual orientation. 

We believe in fairness. Indeed, our faith calls us to fairness. All of us are diminished when individuals are prevented from contributing the full measure of their talent and ability to society. We urge you to vote NO on the Hefley amendment as a matter of basic fairness." 

1998 (Month unknown):

The CMC issued a "Resolution on the issue of homosexuality." They said, in part:

"The CMC recognizes an issue that is causing division among us. Some congregations understand that God has called them to invite and include gay and lesbian believers into church membership, whereas other congregations understand that God has called them to resist the acceptance of homosexuality within its churches and in society. ... As we discern God’s will for the community of faith, we say “yes” to procedures that promote redemption, restoration and peace, and we say “no” to procedures that demonstrate condemnation and rejection. "

They accept the GC's 1986 "Resolution on Human Sexuality" that condemns all homosexual activity -- even within a loving, committed relationship -- as sinful. They are opposed to the exclusion of persons with a homosexual orientation as members, but expect them to remain celibate. ₃

1998-NOV:
Recently, the three Mennonite groups (MC, GC, CMC) have been involved in merger talks aimed at creating a single Mennonite denomination across the U.S. and Canada. Differences in belief and policy concerning homosexuality have "threatened to derail the" merger discussions. ₄

The first joint gathering of general boards of the three denominations was held at Winnipeg, starting 1998-NOV-19. They concentrated heavily on the "homosexual issue." "At least five MC area conferences have intimated or stated outright that they will not go along with integration [of the three denominations] if denominational membership guidelines allow for including congregations that accept non-celibate homosexuals as members."  Ruth Martin of the CMC General board commented: "The membership issue is critically important. It feels like integration will come apart if we don't deal with this issue."

References used:

1. Texts of Mennonite Church Conferences, Boards and Committees on Homosexuality at: http://www.ambs.edu/
2. Letter to members of the House, 1998-JUL-15, at: http://www.ambs.edu/ljohns/Hefley.htm
3. "Resolution on the issue of homosexuality," CMC, 1998, at: http://www.ambs.edu/
4. "General boards approve consultation to address membership, homosexuality before St. Louis 99" The Mennonite, 1998-DEC-8, Lead news story.

Copyright © 1997 to 2010 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance.
Latest update: 2010-JAN-23
Author: B.A. Robinson

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