Statements of Mennonite Conferences, Boards, and Committees on Homosexuality (1985–2004)

Human Sexuality in the Christian Life: A Working Document for Study and Dialogue , commissioned by the General Conference Mennonite Church Triennial Sessions in 1980 and by the Mennonite Church General Assembly in 1981.

The Saskatoon and Purdue Resolutions. Side-by-side comparison of the Mennonite Church and General Conference Mennonite Church Resolutions on Human Sexuality. The General Conference Mennonite Church resolution was adopted in 1986 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; the Mennonite Church resolution was adopted in 1987 at Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana).

Summary Statements by [the Mennonite Church] General Board on Homosexuality

Recommendations of the Listening Committee for Homosexual Concerns (rejected by MC General Board in 1993; see next document)

1993

Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches: “Homosexuality: A Compassionate Yet Firm Response”

[MC] General Board Response to the Report from the Listening Committee for Homosexual Concerns (Action 19 from April 17, 1993, minutes)

1995

Conservative Mennonite Conference Statement on Homosexuality

Council on Faith, Life and Strategy Statement [on the] Meaning of "Dialogue"

1995

Agreeing and Disagreeing in Love: Commitments for Mennonites in Times of Disagreement

Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. Occasionally appeals are made to this confession with regard to homosexuality. See Article 19: "Family, Singleness, and Marriage"

1997

New York Mennonite Conference: “A Call to Affirmation, Confession, and Covenant Regarding Human Sexuality”

Lancaster Conference Leadership Assembly statement on " The Church and Homosexuality"

Mennonite Central Committee U.S. endorsement of a letter drafted and signed by various Protestant church agencies and denominational offices to U.S. Representatives urging rejection of a Joel Hefley (R-CO) amendment to H.R. 4104 (Treasury Postal Appropriations Bill) that would have legalized discrimination against federal employees based on sexual orientation. This is the first time MCC U.S. went on record in any way supportive of gay and lesbian people.

1998

Stratford 98 Resolution on the Issue of Homosexuality, adopted at the Conference of Mennonites in Canada Assembly in Stratford, Ont.

2003

Same Sex Unions and Mennonite Church Canada (resources and statements):

v      Where Does Mennonite Church Canada Stand?

v      Letter to MC Canada Congregations re: Same-Sex Unions

v      Open letter from Sven Eriksson (denominational minister) concerning definition of marriage

v      Why did people vote “No” to Resolution 6?

2004

Pointing a Direction on Homosexuality, approved by delegates of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, April 24, 2004

2004

Homosexuality: A Compassionate Yet Firm Response. Published by the Canadian Mennonite Brethren board of Faith and Life. Last modified October 7, 2004.

Conversations Among Mennonites Regarding Homosexuality

*      Welcome to Dialogue Series: A Search for Inclusiveness, Ruth Conrad Liechty, series editor. This series explores the inclusion of sexual minorities in the Mennonite Church.

*      The Open Letter of the Welcome Committee, printed in the Mennonite Weekly Review on February 22, 2000. See the site of the sponsoring Welcome Committee.

*      MennoLink Discussion of Homosexuality, 1994-1995 (includes bibliography and other links)

*      BMC Link (not specifically about homosexuality, this listserv hosts the discussion of the Brethren/Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns)

*      Support Groups and Conversations at Goshen College (Goshen, Ind.)

*      Point - Counterpoint , a reading based on a compilation by Earl Loganbill (Newton, Kans.) of articles in and letters to the editor of The Mennonite Weekly Review since 1994.

*      “Healing and Reconciliation Team (HaRT) Report to the Congregation of Toronto United Mennonite Church,” June 19, 2004.

*      “Homosexuality: A Biblical and Pastoral Perspective,” by Gary Harder, part of a “Sexuality Forum” that is apparently largely a response to the book by Willard M. Swartley, Homosexuality: Biblical Interpretation and Moral Discernment (Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 2003).

*      For a description by the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance of the state of the discussion on homosexuality in the Mennonite churches, see " The Mennonite Churches and Homosexuality."

A Short Summary

*      “Homosexuality and the Mennonite Church,” by Loren L. Johns, to be published in Encyclopedia of Homosexuality and Religion, ed. Jeffrey S. Siker (Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006).

Other Denominations

For a listing of how various denominations are dealing with homosexuality, see the resource of the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance entitled “Religious groups’ policies towards homosexuals and homosexuality.”

Disclaimer: This page directs the reader to the official documents of various church bodies as well as to the informal conversations of various Mennonite brothers and sisters and does not necessarily reflect the interpretations of Loren L. Johns. I have prepared this page to assist people interested in learning what the Mennonite churches have said about homosexuality. As a Christian educator who strongly believes in the importance of a continuing loving dialogue on critical issues—a dialogue marked by serious consideration of marginalized voices, by prayer, by patience, by listening, by respect—I offer this page as a resource for study and consideration of these issues. If you have any questions or comments about this page, please address them via email to Loren L. Johns.

Last updated 6 October 2005.

 

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