• Español
  • Historical Archives
  • Convention
  • Contact Us
Support the Ministry Give
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Deep Faith Conference
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Mennonite Health Services Alliance
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News & Media
    • News & Media
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Blog
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Deep Faith Conference
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Mennonite Health Services Alliance
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News & Media
    • News & Media
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Blog
Home / News / Mennonite Church USA Executive Board processes Membership Guidelines Advisory Group report
Sep 14 2020

Mennonite Church USA Executive Board processes Membership Guidelines Advisory Group report

By MC USA staff

The process of reviewing the denomination’s Membership Guidelines was a central focus of the virtual Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) Executive Board (EB) meeting on Sept. 11-12, 2020. The EB reviewed the written report from the Membership Guidelines Advisory Group and responded to each of the group’s recommendations.

“We attempt to listen to the constituency of our denomination through conferences and congregations alike to communicate what the Spirit is saying to the church,” said Bishop L.W. Francisco III, retired senior pastor and now overseer at C3 – Calvary Community Church, Hampton, Virginia. “We take our role as servant leaders seriously, as we seek to carry out consensus of the Delegate body.”

The EB acknowledged MC USA’s inconsistent polity surrounding the Membership Guidelines, recognizing that it has resulted in much conflict, harm and pain in the denomination from its inception. “We grieve this pain for our siblings in the church and pray for our continued discernment together as the family of God,” said Joy Sutter, moderator, MC USA.

Following are the EB’s responses to the recommendations in the Membership Guidelines Advisory Group report:

  • Recommendation 1: Retire the Membership Guidelines

EB response: The eight-step process adopted by the Executive Board addresses this recommendation in detail. (For more information, read: Mennonite Church USA Executive Board approves budget, process for addressing polity concerns, including Membership Guidelines) The final decision to retire or keep the membership guidelines rests with the MC USA delegate body.

  • Recommendation 2: Any document or policy about LGBTQ people must actively include representatives of the LGBTQ community in its creation.

EB response: According to the MC USA bylaws, the Executive Board is to “ensure that anti-racist and culturally competent principles are practiced throughout church structures and programs.” (VI.1.f) Standard cultural competency practice suggests marginalized groups must be part of any meaningful change process, said Glen Guyton, MC USA executive director.

  • Recommendation 3: The EB should approve/explore the creation of an LGBTQ constituency group.

EB response: The Executive Board will consider this recommendation in the next biennium with a diverse task group (see recommendation #2).

  • Recommendation 4: MC USA will develop a truth-and-reconciliation process with LGBTQ people.

EB response: The Executive Board staff is directed to pick up this work and develop a plan in collaboration with various marginalized groups within MC USA, particularly with LGBTQ leaders, Racial/Ethnic leaders and the denomination’s women’s programs.

  • Recommendation 5: MC USA EB, staff and church-wide program agencies will not use sexual identity, gender orientation or marital status as criteria to restrict a person’s full participation in the ministries, activities, roles and committees of our denomination.

EB response: The EB affirms this is already standard practice at the denominational level (per EB “Action on A Policy on Board and Staff Appointments,” April 13-14, 2018, Dock Mennonite Academy, Lansdale, Pa.) and at our agencies (Everence, MennoMedia, Mennonite Education Agency, Mennonite Mission Network and MHS). According to MC USA polity, conferences and congregations are responsible and accountable for discerning their hiring practices and the calling of their leaders.

Sutter expressed the EB’s appreciation to the Advisory Group for its participation in this discernment process. “We thank you for committing yourselves to this important work and for listening deeply, engaging with kindness and being open to God’s leading.”

For more information on the EB meeting actions, read Mennonite Church USA Executive Board approves budget, process for addressing polity concerns, including Membership Guidelines.

Mennonite Church USA is the largest Mennonite denomination in the United States with 16 conferences, approximately 530 congregations and 62,000 members. An Anabaptist Christian denomination, MC USA is part of Mennonite World Conference, a global faith family that includes churches in 86 countries. It has offices in Elkhart, Indiana and Newton, Kansas.  mennoniteUSA.org

  • Posted in Uncategorized
  • Tagged Bishop L. W. Francisco III, bylaws, C3, constituency group, cultural competency, Dock Mennonite Academy, Everence, Executive Board, Executive Board meeting, Glen Guyton, Joy Sutter, LGBTQ, Membership Guidelines, Membership Guidelines Advisory Group, MennoMedia, Mennonite Church USA polity, Mennonite Education Agency, Mennonite Mission Network, MHS, Racial/Ethnic, reconciliation
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail
Official comments policy for users of Mennonite Church USA’s websites and other social networking tools. We reserve the right to remove any comment that violates this policy.
  • The purpose of comments is to engage in constructive dialogue.
  • Please provide your own full name.
  • Be respectful. If you’re offering criticism, focus on others’ ideas — not their motives, person, character or faith. Consider the log in your own eye before pressing ‘Enter.’
Comments are moderated. Comments with any content that is deemed obscene, libelous, defamatory or hateful toward an individual or group will not be approved. Comments will remain open for 10 days.
    --
Política de comentarios oficiales para los usuarios de los sitios en Internet y otras herramientas de redes sociales pertenecientes a la Iglesia Menonita de EE.UU. Nos reservamos el derecho de eliminar cualquier comentario que viola esta política.
  • El propósito de los comentarios es entablar el diálogo constructivo.
  • Por favor brinde su propio nombre completo.
  • Sea respetuoso. Si ofrece críticas, enfóquese en las ideas del otro, no en sus motivos, su persona, su carácter o su fe. Considere la viga en su propio ojo antes de apretar ‘Intro’
Los comentarios son analizados. Aquellos comentarios que contengan contenido que se considere obsceno, calumnioso, difamatorio u odioso hacia algún individuo o grupo no será aprobado. Los comentarios permanecerán abiertos por 10 días.

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

3145 Benham Ave. Suite 1
Elkhart, IN 46517

718 N. Main St.
Newton, KS 67114
Phone: (866) 866-2872
  • News & Media
  • Español
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Convention
  • Resources
  • Give
  • Staff
  • Employment
©2020 Mennonite Church USA   |   Subscribe to PeaceMail to receive news and blogs compiled into one weekly email.   SUBSCRIBE