Autocracy of Consensus and Dignity of Dissent

I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Rev. 3:15-16)

There is so much handwringing going on in Mennonite circles about same-sex relationships, the threat to church unity and the possibility of raised voices, that we are forgetting the point. We are confronted; we have been confronted for several decades, by persons who by their very presence ask whether the church will embrace them not just as individuals, but as couples. They have grown old, waiting for our response. Our deliberations have grown tired.

Perhaps at one point this hesitation could be forgiven. Once, Mennonites had reputation for schism, harsh separation and (I hear) authoritarianism. Since then, we have preferred to characterize ourselves as communities epitomized by sensitivity and potlucks. Who wants to disrupt a family dinner with politics and religion? Why force a question that may polarize and disrupt? Well, we have had our chance and more than enough time to find an easier way. The thing is, this is not about "us". It is not about unity. It is about the responsibility of the church to answer, with integrity, those who have been knocking at the door for much too long. If forming a response results in discomfort, conflict, strained relationships, and perhaps separation, we may just have to take our medicine.