As a member of Lancaster Mennonite Conference, I object to the Bishop Board’s proposal to remove LMC from Mennonite Church USA. LMC congregations already have the unprecedented ability to be part of LMC but not MC USA. Apparently this is not good enough. They want the rest of us to follow their lead. This is not an act of Spirit-led discernment but of a bully who tries to force others to go along with him.

To congregations that are now part of LMC but not MC USA, I say: Thank you for remaining in fellowship with us. But please do not force the rest of us to choose between the conference and the denomination. This places us in a situation that is guaranteed to cause heartache.

To congregations that are now part of LMC and MC USA but no longer wish to be part of MC USA, I say: Please, withdraw from MC USA but remain part of LMC. But do not try to force the rest of us to follow your lead.

And finally, to the leaders and bishops: I call on you to exclude from any official vote or decision anyone who has already seceded from MC USA. They have already made their choice; it is not their place to make our choice for us.

Lyle Beidler
Denver, Pa.