sexuality Archives | Page 19 of 24

Issues make polity book a must-read

Mennonite Church USA’s new ministerial polity handbook has drawn more attention than such a document usually would, due to its potential impact on issues of sexuality and credentialing authority.

Since the book was finished this spring, leaders have been considering whether to ask the delegate assembly to approve it next summer in Kansas City.

Kelli Yoder | Mennonite Church USA

November 3, 2014

Another conference to license gay pastor

A second Mennonite Church USA area conference intends to license a pastor in a same-sex relationship, potentially putting it at odds with an Executive Board

Kelli Yoder | Mennonite World Review

October 27, 2014

MC USA leaders review survey, offer ideas for future

SCHILLER PARK, Ill. — Mennonite Church USA’s Constituency Leaders Council reviewed results of a survey of leaders, shared ideas about potential new relational structures and gave feedback on a leadership polity manual Oct. 6-8.

Eighty-two leaders representing area conferences, constituency groups and . . .

Annette Brill Bergstresser | Mennonite Church USA

October 27, 2014

Opinion: Biblical and better way

Theologically conservative Christians are widely perceived as hostile to gays. And it is largely our own fault. Many of us have actually been homophobic. Most

Ronald J. Sider | For Mennonite World Review

October 27, 2014

Pastor’s call brings Ohio church ‘sense of peace’

Members of Columbus (Ohio) Mennonite Church laid their hands on Mark Rupp Sept. 21 as they installed him as pastor of Christian formation.

“It hit me during that moment that rather than lots of individual hands on me, it really felt like a blanket of support, and that was really, really meaningful,” Rupp said in an Oct. 15 interview.

Kelli Yoder | Mennonite World Review

October 27, 2014

Led by the blind?

A number of Mennonite churches are leaving their conferences and denominations due to bypassing biblical commandments on the sin of homosexuality. An article in the

Rachel Stella

October 27, 2014

Goshen congregation leaves MC USA

At least 10 congregations have left Mennonite Church USA this year, many as a result of disagreements over LGBT inclusion. Clinton Brick Mennonite Church, in Goshen,

Mennonite World Review staff

October 27, 2014

Gulf States Conference to vote on withdrawal

Gulf States Mennonite Conference delegates are expected to vote at their annual assembly Nov. 1 on whether to sever ties with Mennonite Church USA.

The voting options, to stay or to withdraw, are being submitted by the conference’s Executive Committee. Leaving MC USA would be a constitutional change and require a two-thirds majority.

No conference has withdrawn from MC USA in the denomination’s 12-year history.

Tim Huber | Mennonite World Review

October 6, 2014

Mennonite Church USA to explore new structure

Seeking to hold the denomination together amid controversies over homosexuality, Mennonite Church USA will explore possibilities for a new structure.

At its Sept. 26-27 meeting in Kansas City, Mo., the MC USA Executive Board appointed a committee to look at new ways for area conferences to relate to each other.

The goal is to bring a proposal to delegates at next summer’s convention in Kansas City.

Paul Schrag | Mennonite World Review

September 30, 2014

It’s not like divorce

Some say the church used to be against divorce, but today we accept it. Wrong. Article 19 of the Mennonite Church USA Confession of Faith

Rachel Stella

September 29, 2014