There were a fair amount of comments stating that consultation would not be helpful “WDC and MCUSA theologians are too often too disconnected from reality to be helpful.” “too many rules” “WDC does not have the power to stop a congregation from making a decision that it feels is in the best interest of its members and community” Several comments were made the lack of support or trust for WDC (and in some statements MCUSA) leadership. “This sounds correct. But you still have to have good leadership that have some common sense and not fall for pleasing congregations who are trying to be ‘politically correct’ and use such spiritual language that the Holy Spirit is leading them to illegal and accepting relationships that are not condoned by the Bible.” “I don’t think our church, when faced with a question, has ever found a clear answer from WDC.” “If and only if the wdc leadership is strong and committed to the Word. Would you, leadership, seriously listen to a congregation wanting to bring in practicing, unrepentant pedophiles?” Several comments stated that congregations ultimately make their own decisions: “Consult=looking for resources in the decision-making process, asking for prayer but the decisions come down to the church community.” “Decisions made at the congregational level should only affect themselves.” There were multiple calcification statements: “May consult with WDC leadership” “Be in dialog with might be better than consult with” “I do not believe WDC leadership is the ultimate decision-maker.” “If this is for the purpose of discernment, yes.” “If the definition of ‘major importance’ amounts to ‘liable to be a headache for conference authorities’ it seems only courteous for there to be some prior dialogue.” 13 The statements of belief and practice of Mennonite Church USA should be binding upon its conferences and their congregations. Answered: 1509 Skipped: 187 Date: 9/4/14 Strongly Agree 12% Agree 26% No Opinion/Don’t Know 12% Disagree 35% Strongly Disagree 15% Comments: 304, 20% offered comments
66% say that resolutions like the one offered by Rainbow church encourage other congregations to become more “welcoming” (20). Unity and Relationship: 84% agree that WDC benefits from relationship with other conferences (15). But 65% say that unity does not depend upon uniformity (16). At the same time, there is a 52% (yes)-37% (no) divide about whether unity depends upon common adherence to statements of belief and practice (9). 62% believe WDC unity can be preserved (28% disagree) if congregations are allowed to choose different practices on same-sex relationships (19). NUMBER OF RESPONSES FROM EACH CHURCH Churches # of Responses Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church Goessel, KS 64 Austin Mennonite Church Austin, TX 17 Beatrice Mennonite Church Beatrice, NE 9 Bethel College Mennonite Church Newton, KS 120 Buhler Mennonite Church Buhler, KS 25 Burrton Mennonite Church Burrton, KS 0 Calvary Mennonite Church Liberal, KS (no email) 0 Casa Betania Newton, KS (SPANISH) 0 Casa de Dios Garland, TX (SPANISH) 3 Casa del Alfarero Pasadena, TX (SPANISH) (no email) 0 Chin Emmanuel Church Houston, TX 0 Comunidad de Esperanza Dallas, TX (SPANISH) 1 Comunidad de Vida San Antonio, TX (SPANISH) 3 Eden Mennonite Church Moundridge, KS 77