José Elizalde is a member of North Goshen (Ind.) Mennonite Church. 

I am a middle child. I avoid conflict. However, somehow I always find myself in the middle of it and I have learned how to mediate. My Mennonite-Anabaptist education has given me the theories behind conflict resolution, both from a theological and sociological perspective.

Within Mennonite circles I have learned, for example, to navigate within the passive aggressiveness of most church conflicts. I know what happens to those in our Mennonite circles who show a more direct approach to conflict and dare to get emotional. More often than not they are met with the detrimental effects, including silence and exclusion.

As a Latino I also navigate in different cultural realities. I know the energy and passion that conflicts can generate. I also know the power of loyalty and friendship. Latinos can passionately disagree yet not allow those disagreements to destroy longtime friendships. In many cases, loyalty trumps differences of opinion. This is a clear cultural uniqueness.

In the United States, when it comes to conflicts between Latino and Swiss/German Mennonites, there is an added complication: the USA’s ugly history of discrimination and racism. Issues of power, justice and equity affect the way conflict is viewed and ultimately resolved.

I have been struck by how Latino Mennonites discuss and try to resolve issues of homosexuality, for instance, differently from the majority of white Mennonites. I know Latino Mennonites who wrestle with the issue of homosexuality yet, for whatever reason, stay silent in the debate. It is as if contradicting the views of the known Latino Mennonite leaders might undermine the power they fought so hard to gain in Mennonite Church USA.

I also have been struck by the work done by Stephanie Krehbiel and Felipe Hinojosa, who speak to the chaotic process of Mennonite Church USA to address issues of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and the unhealthy relationship between Latino and Swiss/German Mennonites. I can certainly see how manipulation and concerns of abusive power have clouded an honest discussion of biblical interpretation and human sexuality.

Mennonite Church USA finds itself in the middle stages of a massive rearranging. The current split is based on theology, church polity and, yes, United States social/political views as they relate to LGBT sexuality. Due diligence to biblical interpretation—honoring the Word of God—is claimed by people on all sides. The humble recognition of the limitations of human theological interpretation and the acknowledgement of social/political influences are not claimed with the same force by any.

Be it as it may, new and different days lie ahead. I can be cynical and say that what is happening to Mennonite Church USA is a clear indication of the failure to resolve conflict and the hypocrisy of claiming to know the ways of peace or even to know the Prince of Peace. Yet, my knowledge of Mennonite history tells me this is only the latest split of many throughout the history of Anabaptist denominations. History is simply repeating itself.

I long for the day when we can truly agree to disagree and together seek to be faithful while sitting together at the same table. I fail to see why this is so impossible. Maybe it is my “middle child” coming out. Maybe it is my naïve desire to believe in the power of God to work among believers to resolve conflict.

Whatever it is, I am still here, a member of this fragile denomination. I am still here, a Latino Mennonite, at odds with many Latino Mennonite leaders on the issue of LGBT inclusion and questioning even my own reasons for staying. So many Latino Mennonites of my generation are long gone.

Perhaps there is a simpler answer. Perhaps I am too Latino, too loyal to my friends, to simply walk away. Perhaps I do not know where else to go. Perhaps I know that no matter where I will go conflict will follow, and imperfect believers will fight over yet another issue. Whatever it is, I am here and hope for a better day; a day when we do learn to resolve our differences.