Discerning the Spirit’s leading among us

“Keep all the doors open”

That’s what Michael Trice, a representative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) told us during the 2009 Delegate Assembly in Columbus last July.

Trice was encouraging us to reach out to our Christian sisters and brothers throughout this country. He said our work and mission in the world as Mennonites is an important contribution to the unity of the body of Christ.

This is an important word to us, to be sure. It may also be good advice for our relationships within our own community. Keeping all the doors of relationship open within the body can be an important part of extending our witness in the world.

A delegate resolution, “Growing together as communities even in conflict,” acknowledges the statements by Mennonite Church USA on human sexuality which have been previously passed and are currently in place. It also acknowledges the presence of dissenting voices within our denomination.

Delegates said they wanted to create a healthy, safe environment for conversation, one that builds up the body of Christ, is respectful and honest about our differences and doesn’t contribute to further division within the community.  

Delegates asked the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board to work with conferences to create resources that help conferences and congregations discern the Spirit’s leading. As a body, they said, we want to live faithfully, extending hospitality to all of God’s people.  

Please pray for the Executive Board and our conferences in the coming months as they seek guidance from the Holy Spirit on how to respond to the delegates’ request.

When we disagree, it’s hard work to keep all the doors of relationship open within the community, but doing so may be a key in truly discerning God’s leading among us.  

Ron Byler is acting executive director of Mennonite Church USA