Full letter from North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church about Jubilee Mennonite Church and its decision on LGBTQ+

 

With permission from NKMB, their full letter to their members about Jubilee Mennonite Church is printed below. 

Hello NKMB members, 

I would like to inform NKMB members of recent developments in the MB Conference of Manitoba (MBCM) regarding the topic of endorsing LGBTQ+ practices in its member churches. I realize that this is a contentious topic, as it affects many families at NKMB in various ways. 

To begin with, I would like to plainly state that our goal at NKMB is to make everyone feel welcome and to not single any particular person out. We believe that all of us start off as broken, sinful people, in need of Jesus’s saving grace. (1) But our stories don’t end there, we believe that in Jesus we have been redeemed and given a new identity as children of God. (2) And this is regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression. We strive to seek truth in a humble fashion, and I hope that is evident by the action items proposed at the end of this letter. 

I would like to start off by sharing events that are happening in the MBCM community with regards to Jubilee Mennonite Church, followed by the views of NKMB leadership and then some next steps proposed for all NKMB members. 

Jubilee Mennonite Church and MBCM 

In June 2022, Jubilee Mennonite Church (founded in 1995 as a dual-conference congregation belonging to both MBCM and Mennonite Church Manitoba) released an official statement affirming LGBTQ+ practices. Their statement, which includes the officiating of same-sex marriages, is posted on its website. Jubilee was then notified by MBCM that its statement fails to adhere to the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (CCMBC) Confession of Faith article 11 by not upholding the definition of marriage as exclusive to a man and woman for life. Because of this, they have been suspended by MBCM as of October 3rd, 2022. 

At a MBCM council of representatives meeting on November 19th, (a regional meeting held in between annual assemblies) member congregations were informed by conference moderator Dave Enns, that the MBCM board will follow the process of suspension and removal as outlined in the constitution article 3, section 3. I have summarized the constitutional process as follows: 

1.    The Provincial Faith and Life Team (PFLT) sends the congregation in question a written notice with a reason for the proposed suspension.

2.    After giving the congregation time to respond, the congregation is suspended by resolution of MBCM board.

3.    The PFTL then reviews the circumstances of the case and recommends to either reinstate or revoke membership.

4.    If the recommendation is to revoke membership, then the MBCM board proceeds to recommend a special resolution to do that at the next Assembly of Congregations.

We understand that MBCM has completed step 3, and that the MBCM board will proceed to hold the special resolution to revoke Jubilee Mennonite’s membership at Assembly 2023, taking place on March 3 and 4. 

What does NKMB believe? 

NKMB council and staff stand by the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith. We agree that for believers, marriage is exclusive to one male and one female and that sexual intimacy rightfully only takes place in marriage. Both our MBCM and CCMBC leadership teams are in full agreement with this and have no intention of pursuing a change. And this, after holding two consecutive study conferences on the matter. In order to assist member congregations, the National Faith and Life Team has produced a document to explain why it is committed to upholding its marriage values. (3) 

We understand that decision to remove a member congregation from our denomination is not something that is to be taken quickly or without serious consideration. However, Jubilee has been clear that they understand their decision is in contradiction to the confession and have indicated that they have unanimous support from their members. Therefore, we think the best course of action for both them and MBCM is to have an amicable separation. (4) 

Incidentally, the Mennonite Church of Manitoba has given Jubilee full support and has welcomed them to stay in their denomination. We think that a peaceful division gives them the freedom to worship in a manner that they best see fit and allows the remaining MBCM churches to seek ways to minister and care for the LGBTQ+ community with compassion and love that is consistent with scripture. We believe the scriptures offer hope and redemption to all people, regardless of LGBTQ+ status, and that Jesus offers a new identity in Him. Staying in fellowship with a church that instead endorses a primary identity based in sexuality or gender is problematic for both sides, as both sides will call the other to repentance. 

Next steps for NKMB 

At the time of this letter, we understand that Jubilee church is not intending to leave the MBCM family, and so the resolution for removal is the next course of action. We also understand from discussions held at the November 19th meeting that there are voices in MBCM that would prefer to stay united, regardless of the differences. We understand there are also MBCM members in agreement to the direction Jubilee is going and would like the entire Canadian MB community to change direction. 

Although we think the resolution for removal is likely to pass, it is by no means a certainty. If it does not pass, then the implications are rather confusing as our province is then at odds with our nationally held Confession of Faith. This scenario would force NKMB to decide on what to do next. Therefore, NKMB council is asking NKMB members to prayerfully consider the following action items, leading up to Assembly 2023 on March 3rd and 4th. 

1.    Participate in fasting. We ask that for members that are able to, to take every Wednesday from January 18th until March 1st to fast for a 24hr period, from Tuesday at 6pm until Wednesday 6pm. We understand from Matthew 6:16-18 that Jesus expects his followers to regularly fast. This is an act of humble submission and removes any pride we might have in our own ability. For those not familiar with fasting, doing several one-day fasts is a great way to begin a habit that will bring to closer to the Lord.

2.    Participate in prayer. Consider participating in one of these options taking place at NKMB: 

a. Pray at the 5:00 am weekly prayer meeting, from January 18th until March 1st. This is for those who want to take a bold step of sacrificial prayer.

b. Participate in the congregational prayer meeting on Saturday, January 28th, 6:00 pm.

c. Participate in the congregational prayer meeting on Saturday February 18th, 6:00 pm.

Some reasons to pray include: 

• For a peaceful division of Jubilee from MBCM.

• For repentance in the ways we have harmed, side-lined, or ignored sexually marginalized.

• For wisdom on how to proceed if the resolution does not pass.

• For courage and boldness when faced with opposition, especially from the dominant culture and political climate surrounding us.

• For an increased measure of love and compassion for the hurting people around us, regardless of their sexual identity or gender status.

• For transformation and renewal of all broken people. 

3.    Participate at Assembly 2023. We ask that you become a delegate and participate as a voting member at Assembly in Winkler on March 3rd and 4th. NKMB is allowed to have 46 voting delegates. 

Let us continue to live in love and compassion while still holding to the hard teachings of the bible. 

Kind regards, Tim Giesbrecht NKMB Moderator, on behalf of NKMB Council

Footnotes 

1. In Romans 3:23 we learn that w all fall short of the glory of God, regardless of our past, or how we feel in the moment.

2. In Romans 8:17 we learn that all who call on him share both in Christ’s suffering and his glory. We have received a new Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, and this Spirit can free us from all sorts of bondage. To say that some bondage is too great for the Spirit is to say that Christ’s suffering was not sufficient enough.

3. The CCMBC National Faith and Life team has produced a document titled “Loving Well”. If you would like a copy please request it from the church office, either electronically or as a paper copy.

4. We understand from 1 Cor 5 and other New Testament passages that the best course of action is to break fellowship with believers who teach fellow believers to promote sexually immoral practices. This does not apply to those outside the church, who we are told not to judge.