MWR : MC Canada to receive sexual inclusivity motion

Last updated June 06.

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June 13, 2011 issue

MC Canada to receive sexual inclusivity motion

WINNIPEG, MAN. — A group advocating inclusion of gays in the church will present a motion to the Mennonite Church Canada annual assembly in Waterloo, Ont., in early July.

According to Canadian Mennonite, the motion comes from the group Harmony: Mennonites for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered) Inclusion, a grassroots initiative of MC Canada members.

The denomination’s general secretary, Willard Metzger, and other church leaders recently met with members of Harmony to discuss the motion.

Harmony will ask MC Canada delegates to acknowledge that:

n Non-heterosexuals are struggling within congregations, whether or not they have publicly acknowledged their orientation and whether or not they are in a relationship with another person; and

n All Christians have a legitimate place in God’s kingdom and in the church.

The motion calls on MC Canada to urge congregations to take seriously the call to continue in loving dialogue and to fully embrace — by inviting and welcoming into their midst — all people, including non-heterosexual members, adherents and neighbors.

Harmony is bringing the motion 25 years after the national assembly passed a statement on sexuality known as the Saskatoon Resolution. It reads in part: “We understand the Bible to teach that sexual intercourse is reserved for a man and a woman united in marriage, and that violation of this teaching is a sin. It is our understanding that this teaching also precludes premarital, extramarital and homosexual sexual activity.”

Ben Borne, a coordinator of Harmony and incoming student council president at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Man., said the Saskatoon Resolution has been used to make non-heterosexual people feel excluded.

Harmony believes the resolution has caused pain, resulting in silence for individuals, their families and communities, and has led to schisms, withdrawals and expulsions of individuals, their families and supporting congregations within MC Canada.

Metzger, the general secretary, said he was prepared for difficult discussions on sexuality at the conference.

Comments

In this article, the Saskatoon Resolution adopted 25 years ago was based on Bible doctrine. It is noteworthy that in the resolution, the areas of sexual sin were identified as premarital, extramarital and homosexual sexual activity in various relationships. I am uncertain why, but polygamy was excluded. That was then and this is now.

Harmony says “the resolution has caused pain, resulting in silence for individuals, their families and communities, and has led to schisms, withdrawals and expulsions of individuals, their families and supporting congregations within MC Canada.” Harmony would have us believe we now have new light and understanding of Christian love as Jesus speaks in the New Testament.

Harmony is too narrow minded and addresses only the homosexual people in the inclusivity motion. What about the people in premarital, extramarital and polygamy relationships? If the object is to eliminate pain, should not the pain experienced by people in these three groups also be eliminated by including them in the inclusivity motion? It seems these people should rightfully be included in the first line. Why postpone this needed action for 25 years and have a group submit another inclusivity motion?

I suggest the first item be modified as I have suggested, then all four groups would be readily, lovingly and quietly included in the motion and total MC Canada unity would be achieved. All Canadian Christians in these four groups would then have a legitimate place in God’s kingdom in general and in MC Canada in particular.

If this works for MC Canada, then it should definitely work for MC USA in Pittsburgh.

- Dale Welty (jun 19 at 11:01 p.m.)
Dale, let me explain to you the difference between homosexuality and polygamous/extra-marital sexuality (as seen by people who think God blesses homosexual unions).

When we reject homosexual unions we exclude an entire class of people from the right to experiencing sexual intimacy.

The same cannot be said of rejecting polygamy and pre/extra-marital sex. Would-be polygamists or "cheaters" are perfectly capable of having a monogamous sexual relationship that would be blessed by the church.

I am curious, Dale, how you come to such a clear conclusion that polygamy is wrong, when you are relying solely on the Bible for guidance. I find the Bible (when looked at as a whole entity) to be an ambiguous guide on sexual ethics, whether the issue is polygamy or homosexuality.

- Joseph P (jun 21 at 2:52 p.m.)
Joseph P, regarding the last paragraph in your 6:21,2:52PM comments, I was told very emphatically by a MC USA minister who is a GLBT supporter, that polygamy was Biblical sin. You are the first person to suggest that Christian polygamists would be welcome into full fellowship in MC USA. I would appreciate your providing some scripture to support your position so I can pass it on to the minister.

If I have misunderstood you comments, please clarify.

- Dale Welty (jun 24 at 6:30 p.m.)

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