Homosexuality and bisexuality in the Mennonite churches

Censuring of congregations.
GLBT resources, books, etc.

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Censure of the Germantown Mennonite Church:

A centuries-long tradition of the Mennonite Church has observed the autonomy and religious freedom of the local congregations. However, the church found it difficult to convince some congregation to expel those among their membership who were in loving, committed same-sex relationships, civil unions, or marriages. When reason failed, some regional conferences have resorted to force.

In 1995-APR, the Franconia Conference reduced the status of the Germantown Mennonite Church of Philadelphia to that of associate, non-voting, member. The Conference links together 50 Mennonite congregations in southeastern Pennsylvania. Their action was in response to the church's continued welcoming of members in same-sex, non-celibate faithful relationships. The congregation is located in northwest Philadelphia. It is the oldest Mennonite Church in the US.

On 1997-APR-26, the moderator of the Conference  conducted a straw vote to determine whether the delegates were prepared to vote on the future status of Germantown Church. 54% of the delegates said they were not ready. The church continued in its status as an associate member. At the same meeting, by a majority vote, the conference decided to not devote more effort to the topic of homosexuality and the church.

In Mennonite tradition, decisions are made in face-to-face settings. However, in 1997-OCT, an unprecedented mail-in ballot was conducted. Delegates voted 178 to 40 to expel the church formally from the regional conference. This action  took effect in 1998. At that time Pastor Richard Lichty's credentials were returned to the congregation. Lichty commented: "It hurts. This is my church of birth, my church of choice. But the church for a long time has been a follower of the general culture's fear of sexuality, and this just plays into it."  Germantown continued to maintain an affiliation with the General Conference of the Mennonite Church where Lichty continued to be credentialed.

Jim Lapp is the conference pastor for the Franconia Conference. According to CNN, he explained:

"The Germantown church has received people into membership who are living in covenanted relationships, and that became a point of disagreement with the membership of our conference. ... All of this is the result of a long process and dialogue. It's the mood of our society, the way in which the issue is headlined. It's in the public consciousness. Many more people are becoming aware of it because homosexuals are more active and outspoken about their rights."

"Sure, we could have one of those situations where the homosexuals could come but never tell -- and we would never ask or be open about it. Sure, we could just assume that they're celibate. But the problem is we'd never make those requirements of [unmarried] heterosexual couples."

"I learned a long time ago growing up as a Mennonite that I could either be a Mennonite or I could be gay, but that I damn well couldn't be both. But this church [congregation] accepted me for who I was and that's why I came here."

Other Mennonite "Congregations Under Censure"

A Geocities website listed a number of additional Mennonite congregations that were been expelled or placed under discipline during the late 1980s and 1990s. ₁ Unfortunately, with the demise of the Geocities service, it is no longer available and we cannot find any up-to-date listings of censured congregations on the Internet or in our library resources:

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) support groups within Mennonite communities:

Books about the LGBT dialogue:

References:

1. "Congregations under Censure," http://www.geocities.com/ This website is offline.
2. "Brethren/Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns:" at: http://www.webcom.com/
3. The "Welcome Committee" has a home page at: http://www.welcome-committee.info/
4. The text of the Welcome Committee's "Open Letter" is at: http://www.welcome-committee.info
5. "Welcome to dialogue series," Welcome Committee, at: http://www.welcome-committee.info/
6. "Connecting Families" is listed as the last entry on a BMC essay at: http://www.bmclgbt.org/
7. "Neighbors -- Renewing Mennonite community," at: http://www.mennoneighbors.org/
8. "Pink Menno Campaigh: Turning MCUSA pink," at: http://www.pinkmenno.org/

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

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