River East Church has received a notice of suspension from the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba (MBCM).
In a letter dated March 1, MBCM moderator Dave Enns indicates the church no longer adheres to the Confession of Faith with regards to marriage.
The suspension will take effect March 30; River East is welcome to welcome to “provide representation to the (MBCM) board between now and March 20, 2023 to convey any will to avoid this proposed suspension.”
Following the process outlined in MBCM’s constitution, the Conference will then “conduct a careful examination of the circumstances of the suspension” and then “determine an appropriate recommendation to the Assembly of MBCM.”
The full letter is below.
Greetings to you, River East Church (REC).
You are a valued part of our Manitoba community. You have been at work to enhance the care and inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons in an intentional manner over the past year. We applaud this effort, even when we experience disagreement with aspects of your current statement.
The Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba (MBCM) Board recognizes that LGBTQ+ persons, along with their friends and families, have experienced exclusion and rejection in churches. While this is not everyone’s story, we understand that it is the story of many. We are committed to a future where better stories are experienced. Each MBCM church is invited to join in this journey, where LGBTQ+ persons and their families experience inclusion and care.
We recognize that some of the implications of working to include and care for LGBTQ+ persons can bump up against our shared confession. The MBCM board continues to affirm our shared confession, in all of its aspects.
We also recognize that we operate from a place of perceived power. Power is often experienced as force, and there are ample examples of church institutions applying power in ways that fail. Our shared confession states that “The church is a covenant community in which members are mutually accountable in matters of faith and life.” We recognize that we serve from a position of authority and remain determined to function from a place of humility and kindness as members of that covenant community.
On January 26 2023, River East Church sent a letter to MBCM board and PFLT. In your letter, you’ve communicated a clear disagreement with elements of our shared confession of faith. While you state that you both affirm the confession and will solemnize same-sex marriage, we believe this to be inconsistent with our convictions as described in the confession, both in word and in shared understanding through Mennonite Brethren history. We acknowledge that you also express convictions in agreement with our confession.
Following the process outlined in MBCM’s constitution, we have concluded the investigation portion. This investigation included, but was not limited to, conversations between MBCM staff, PFLT members and REC leadership, emails sent between these parties, and observation of published material. This investigation was initiated by this MBCM board and we are satisfied with the following conclusions that the investigation revealed.
The River East Church fails to adhere to the CCMBC confession of faith in the following manner. Our shared confession reads as follows “Marriage is a covenant relationship intended to unite a man and a woman for life.” REC’s approach avoids our confessional definition of marriage as exclusive to a man and woman for life.
The MBMC Leadership Board, in consultation with the MBCM PFLT, has decided to send this written notice. We are notifying River East Church of the following disciplinary action.
Unless we are otherwise compelled by River East Church, River East Church will be suspended from membership on March 20, 2023 in accordance with Section 3 Article 2 of the MBCM Constitution.
We welcome and invite River East Church to provide representation to the board between now and March 20, 2023 to convey any will to avoid this proposed suspension.
Should these representations be unsuccessful, River East Church’s membership with the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba will be suspended. Following the process outlined in MBCM’s constitution, the MBCM PFLT will then conduct a careful examination of the circumstances of the suspension and report their findings to this board. The board will then determine an appropriate recommendation to the Assembly of MBCM after those constitutional processes are complete.
Additionally, the MBCM board invites River East Leadership to a conversation over dinner. MBCM leadership will reach out to you to make those arrangements, should you be amenable. May you continue to experience the presence and power of our Lord as you discern the path forward.
On behalf of the MBCM board,
Dave Ens, Moderator
Mennonite Brethren
Church of Manitoba
I like how the MBCM invites their church leadership to dinner. You’re not worthy to be part of our conference but let’s share a meal while we talk about kicking you out. No thanks.
ReplyDeleteWe recognize that we have abused power in the past.
ReplyDeleteWe recognize that we have isolated and excluded LGBTQ+ in the past.
And so, understanding that,
We are going to do it again, and call it faithfulness.
These anabaptist folks need to beat their own confession of faith into a plowshare. Jesus can help here & I still have hope.
ReplyDelete