New York Mennonite Conference Statement on Unity and Mutual Discernment

(Affirmed by the Delegate Assembly on February 11, 2023)

The ways in which we, in Mennonite Church USA, have engaged in decades-long conflict over issues related to human sexuality have diverted us from our central mission, divided us from each other, and damaged the name of Christ in the world. While acknowledging different interpretations, we affirm the centrality of Jesus Christ, the presence and leading of the Holy Spirit, and the authority of Scripture as essential to our collective discernment. We believe that the answers we seek are best found in dialogue and mutual discernment, rather than denunciation and separation. We do not seek uniformity of thought; rather, we invite conversations in which members can give and receive counsel, and in which members are treated with compassion and respect.

In the midst of ongoing discernment within New York Mennonite Conference (NYMC),

  • We understand from scripture that all human beings are formed in God’s image as sacred creations, and that God’s image is broader than our own experience and understanding.

  • We acknowledge our collective failures to recognize the spiritual gifts of all people, whether because of skin color, ethnic origin, gender, or sexual orientation, and we seek to show God’s love to all people.

  • We reject coercive interventions aimed at changing gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, including conversion therapy.

  • We recognize that God has created all human beings for relationship and affirm the goodness of marriage, singleness, celibacy, sexual intimacy within a marriage covenant, and fidelity for all people.

  • We acknowledge that there is currently not consensus within NYMC on whether it is appropriate to bless and/or credential Christians who are in same-sex marriages.

  • Because God has called us to seek peace and unity as we discern and seek wisdom on these matters, we call on all those in NYMC to offer grace, love, and forbearance toward congregations and pastors in our body who, in different ways, seek to be faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ on matters related to same-sex marriages.

  • We understand forbearance to mean walking together with love and respect, bearing together the burden of our ongoing disagreement.

Just as we do not have consensus within NYMC regarding same-sex marriages, congregations may also experience a lack of consensus.

  • We ask leaders to enter into loving and careful discernment with their congregations, and to seek congregational approval before moving forward with changes in policies or practices.

  • As has always been our practice, pastors are never required to officiate any wedding they are not comfortable performing. Neither will NYMC pursue discipline or censure of pastors who perform or enter into same-sex marriages provided they do so with congregational approval as noted above.