Rich Preheim writes for Religion News Service.
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Mennonite Church Coming Apart Over Sexuality Issues
The Rev. Isaac Villegas officiates at a wedding. Image via Dan Scheirer / RNS
A year ago, the Mennonite Church USA was one of many Christian groups struggling with dissension over the place of gays and lesbians in the church. Today, it’s not just struggling, but falling apart.
The divisions reached the highest level of leadership after a member of the denomination’s Executive Board resigned last month after officiating at the wedding of two lesbians, a violation of church rules.
Mennonites Apologize for History of Sex Abuse Following Theologian John Howard Yoder Scandal
Image via veleknez/Shutterstock
Yoder became a superstar at the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind., where he taught for 24 years, respected and admired by fellow church members and Christians who were not Mennonite. Yet, at the same time, he was preying on women, many of them his students. A report has revealed a range of sexual offenses, starting in the mid-1970s, as well as the church’s efforts to keep them quiet.
Getting in the Way
Christian Peacemaker teams puts into practice the idea that peace work should be a regular job, not just a noble hobby.