Mennonite Church USA Archives | Page 70 of 79

Gay advocacy groups get space at KC convention

Same-sex relationship advocacy groups will be allowed space at the Mennonite Church USA convention for the first time this summer in Kansas City. The denomination announced

Mennonite World Review staff

January 19, 2015

Bible as an idol

I see as idolatry the practice of calling the Scriptures “God’s Word” with a capital W. This places the Bible above Jesus, God Incarnate, the

Rachel Stella

January 19, 2015

Spiritual anchors in conflicted times

In these days of church conflict I am reminded of the story of my father-in-law, Rollin, age 94 when he died. In the last few years

Duane Beck

January 15, 2015

MC USA survey reveals divides on inclusion, organization

A new survey reports credentialed leaders in Mennonite Church USA have diverse views about membership and leadership roles for gay and lesbian people and about how the denomination might organize itself differently.

The survey, conducted by Elizabethtown (Pa.) College sociology professor Conrad Kanagy in August, was released Jan. 5 by the MC USA Executive Board.

Tim Huber | Mennonite World Review

January 5, 2015

New sources give clearer view of abuse by theologian

For years, hushed fragments of information circulated in certain circles. John Howard Yoder, the famous Mennonite theologian, did something wrong, but specifics were scattered and elusive.

Then, in 1992, reports of Yoder’s sexual harassment and abuse of women appeared in Mennonite publications and the secular media.

But the story was far from complete. As the years passed and Yoder’s theology attracted a new generation of readers, church leaders heard calls for a full accounting of the facts — including recognition of institutional failures to deal decisively with the problem.

Tim Huber | Mennonite World Review

January 5, 2015

We need patience

Could we focus on unity in 2015? Without taking sides in the same-sex marriage issue, we could remind ourselves that the church has authority to

Rachel Stella

January 5, 2015

Should there be less ideology, more love?

Churches that cut and run because they do not agree with the direction Mennonite Church USA is going are practicing social violence. Families are torn

Rachel Stella

January 5, 2015

Mountain States, Mexican conferences start a relationship

A Mennonite conference in Mexico has initiated a relationship with Mountain States Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. Jaime Lázaro, director of Mountain States’ SEED

Mennonite World Review staff

December 29, 2014

Year in review: Sexuality issues test unity

Struggles in Mennonite Church USA over same-sex relationships entered uncharted territory in 2014. When one conference licensed a lesbian pastor in Colorado and another signaled its acceptance of a gay man called to pastoral ministry in Ohio, a new question was on the table.

Can a church already torn by conflict over homosexuality stick together when . . .

Paul Schrag | Mennonite World Review

December 22, 2014

Banners help Central Plains churches talk peace

The Freeman (S.D.) Network for Justice and Peace is using art to help churches across Central Plains Conference of Mennonite Church USA talk about peace.

The group enlisted Michelle Hofer, artist in residence at Hutterthal Mennonite Church in Freeman, to design two three-dimensional banners to travel between churches, organizations schools or camps.

Todd Jones, pastor of Hutterthal Mennonite and a member of the network, said the project began for use in area . . .

Kelli Yoder | Mennonite World Review

December 22, 2014