On Friday morning, delegates discussed A Churchwide Statement on Sexual Abuse. Elizabeth Soto-Albrecht, moderator of Mennonite Church USA, noted that there may be survivors of sexual abuse among the delegates, so people should be sensitive to them in what they say. “Certain things may trigger painful memories,” she said.

Although it is called a statement, the document does “resolve to tell the truth about sexual abuse; hold abusers accountable; acknowledge the seriousness of their sin; listen with care to those who have been wounded; protect vulnerable persons from injury; work restoratively for justice; and hold out hope that wounds will be healed, forgiveness offered, and relationships established or reestablished in healthy ways.”

After a period of table discussion, people moved to the microphones to express being in favor or against the statement. Those against it mainly said it wasn’t detailed enough or strong enough in certain areas. No one spoke against opposing sexual abuse.

One woman, who called herself a survivor of sexual abuse, said through tears: “I need you as a church to tell me that I am worthy … that I am not filthy. Please open your hearts to me.”

Soto-Albrecht asked designated prayer pastors to gather around her and pray for her.

Tyler Tully of San Antonio made a motion to send the resolution to a committee to make changes and bring back a better motion tomorrow.

Cindy Voth of Goshen, Ind., asked if there’s time to do this. The committee that wrote the statement said no.

Ryan Springer of Plano, Texas, said they needed to pass this today; the group can make updates during the next two years.

The motion to send it to a committee for changes was defeated, and delegates voted on the original statement. It passed with only three opposed and four abstentions.

Carolyn Holderread Heggen, a survivor of sexual abuse, thanked delegates for passing the resolution. She and Ervin Stutzman, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, led a litany of response.

Alan Hirsch, an Anabaptist from Australia, spoke to delegates about being missional in a post-Christian world by recovering the gifts of apostles, prophets and evangelists.