Background:
The scripture is God’s Word and is true and is to be used for correction, teaching, preparation, and equipping of His
people.
2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do
every good work Holy Bible, New Living Translation
God’s word is transformational. When we read and listen to His word, we will be transformed and changed. We will
no longer be conformed in mind and soul to this world and its agenda. By being transformed, we are proof of
everything that is good and acceptable to the perfect will of God. It is this transformation that sets us apart.
Rom 12:2
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is
that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. NKJV
God’s Word and the Holy Spirit do not conflict. They speak with one authority. They are consistent. The Bible is God’s
Word and is the ruler by which general or specific truths are measured. The broad themes of peace and justice should
be subject to the specifics of correction, teaching, preparation, and equipping. It does not change. It does not bend
to culture.
Heb 13:8
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever NIV
James 3:1
3 My brothers and sisters, most of you shouldn’t want to be teachers. You know that those of us who teach will be held
more accountable. NIV
The Bible holds leaders accountable and thus are required to act in specific ways.
Titus 1:9
9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with
wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong. Holy Bible, New Living Translation
The response of the leadership of MCUSA and Ohio conference have been mute by lack of action on the issue of
same-sex marriage. Despite an action by a partnering conference that is contrary to scripture and our confession of
faith.
Article 4. We acknowledge the Scripture as the authoritative source and standard for preaching and teaching
about faith and life, for distinguishing truth from error, for discerning between good and evil, and for guiding
prayer and worship. Other claims on our understanding of Christian faith and life, such as tradition, culture,
experience, reason, and political powers, need to be tested and corrected by the light of Holy Scripture
Article 19. We believe that God intends marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman for life.
Christian marriage is a mutual relationship in Christ, a covenant made in the context of the church. According
to Scripture, right sexual union takes place only within the marriage relationship. Marriage is meant for sexual
intimacy, companionship, and the birth and nurture of children.
Although MCUSA and Ohio conference leadership are limited administratively by what they may do, MCUSA and Ohio
conference leadership have taken little action to work for correction. Instead they continue to adhere to the broad
theme of peace and justice and unity by calling for continued dialogue, when scripture says that there needs to be an
addressing of the specifics of same-sex marriage. . There has been listening and dialogue for over 15 years. Because
of inaction by denominational leadership, the issue has gone from membership to marriage to credentialing Pastors.
We as leaders of WCMC take our Biblical directive and responsibility as leaders seriously. We understand that we are
accountable to you and are held to a higher standard. We read scriptures calling for correction. There has been none.
We see only listening.
Our pastor in conjunction with 51 Pastoral and Lay Leaders representing 21 congregations brought a proposal to the
Ohio Conference assembly this spring to address this issue. This proposal was biblically based. Our Ohio conference
leaders were silent on any show of support either pro or con. Their theme of the time together continued to be the
general ones of peace and justice, with preservation of unity. The proposal, although receiving a majority vote of
61%, failed because it did not reach the required 66.7%.
Mennonite Pastors who are credentialed by MCUSA, from Hyattsville Md., Kansas, Goshen, Indiana have performed
same-sex ceremonies. Some conferences and congregations within MCUSA are hiring and credentialing Pastors who
are Gay/LGBTQ.
Because of inaction by MCUSA and the Ohio Conference, this issue now falls to us as leaders of WCMC. We do not
take our charge lightly. We were asked by our congregation to recommend an action. This decision we made, we
believe, could not be one based on personal preference or the edicts of culture. Fortunately Scripture has given us
specific instruction on what we are to do. It also explains why it must be done.
2 Cor 6:14-18
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what
fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an
unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God
said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 "Therefore,
come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.
18 "And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, "Says the Lord Almighty. NASB
1 Cor 5:12-13
12 It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who
are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, "You must remove the evil person from
among you." Holy Bible, New Living Translation
Those are harsh words to hear in a culture concerned about political correctness and unity. The scriptures tell us to
not partner with anything that even hints of sin. These scriptures help us understand why. Unity can only happen if
we follow God’s word as exampled by Jesus Christ and confirmed by the Holy Spirit within the body of believers.
You have asked us, and given us the instruction to scripturally take action. Our action is simply this:
We recommend that WCMC withdraw its membership in Ohio Conference of MCUSA and Mennonite church USA.
We are confident that this recommendation is Biblical and consistent with God’s Word. It is consistent with our
Mennonite Confession of faith.
Gal 3:26-29
26 For now we are all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, 27 and we who have been baptized into union with
Christ are enveloped by him. 28 We are no longer Jews or Greeks or slaves or free men or even merely men or women,
but we are all the same-we are Christians; we are one in Christ Jesus. TLB
What does this mean if passed?
It means we will have no delegates to represent our congregation at MCUSA or Ohio Conference. It means we can
remove this time consuming battle/war from our agenda and be free to concentrate on Kingdom Work. It means we are
following Biblical instruction. Our accountability will come from Christ, scripture, fellow believers, and like-minded
Pastors and congregations.
What this does not mean if passed?
It changes nothing on how we do church at WCMC. It changes nothing on how we minister. It changes nothing on how
we evangelize. It does not mean changing the level of our involvement with Mennonite missions, education, MEDA, or
MCC. It does not mean changing our commitment to the Anabaptist vision. Rather, it means sustaining that vision. We
are not leaving the Mennonite Church, it is leaving us.
What happens now?
On October 5th 2014, we will present the proposal to be voted on, for action by the members at WCMC. Members will
have until Oct 19th during the morning service to turn in their vote. It will require a 66.7% vote to pass.
We are currently working with a group of like-minded pastors and congregations to determine what any future
affiliation, whether new or existing, may look like.
Proposal to withdraw Walnut Creek Mennonite Church from membership in MCUSA and its Ohio Conference.
I, as a member of this congregation, authorize The Leadership of Walnut Creek Mennonite Church to notify the Ohio Conference
of Mennonite Church USA in writing, the intent of Walnut Creek Mennonite Church to withdraw its membership in Ohio
Conference and Mennonite Church USA, effective the date of this letter.
_______ Yes
_______ No
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________