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Kansas City MC USA Special Assembly Report

From May 27-30, more than five hundred delegates from throughout Mennonite Church USA traveled to Kansas City, MO to worship, dialogue, and discern God’s future for our denomination. There were over 50 delegates from Mosaic Conference.

The assembly began Friday evening with worship, including the typical harmonious Mennonite singing in several languages and storytelling by three pastors.  

The Special Assembly of MC USA gathered 506 delegates from across the country on May 27-30. Photo by Dave Mansfield.
Nathan Good (Swamp) speaks during the Assembly floor discussion. Photo by Hendy Matahelemual.

Saturday morning’s worship included a sermon by Dr. Samuel Sarpiya, former Moderator of the Church of the Brethren, on the need for us to live with a spirit of unity in the midst of differences. After worship, the opening business session began with the approval of minutes and opportunities for delegates to get to know their assigned tablemates.

Delegates entered into a facilitated discussion of the “Clarification on Mennonite Church USA Polity and the Role of the Membership Guidelines of Mennonite Church USA” resolution. The purpose of this resolution was to retire the 2001 Membership Guidelines as the active polity of MC USA. Specifically, Section III of the guidelines says that credentialed pastors in MC USA may not perform same-sex covenant ceremonies. The facilitated discussion encouraged delegates around their tables to process how the membership guidelines have functioned in MC USA for good and for ill. 

After lunch, there was a discussion and vote as to whether or not to process “A Resolution for Repentance and Transformation.” This resolution acknowledges and attempts to make right the harm suffered by LGBTQIA Mennonites due to MC USA actions and policies. The delegates voted 357-135 in favor of processing the resolution, so time to process and vote on the resolution was added to Sunday’s agenda.

Aldo Siahaan (Philadelphia Praise), Ertell Whigham (Nueva Vida Norristown (PA) New Life) and Marta Castillo (Mosaic Associate Executive Minister) at the KC Assembly. Photo by Hendy Matahelemual.
(L-R) Ken Burkholder (Mosaic Moderator; Deep Run East), Emmanuel Mwaipopo (Nueva Vida Norristown (PA) New Life), Danilo Sanchez (Ripple) during a break at the KC Special Assembly. Photo by Hendy Matahelemual.

On Saturday afternoon, four church leaders, including Mosaic Leadership Minister, Aldo Siahaan, of Philadelphia Praise Center, shared how they have navigated the challenges of ministry during the global pandemic.   

Sunday morning’s sermon by Dr. Samuel Sarpiya exhorted the delegates to be peacemakers in their contexts. After a facilitated community-building exercise, floor discussion began of the resolution to retire the Membership Guidelines. Many delegates spoke and it was obvious that feelings run deep regarding the treatment of LGBTQIA persons within Mennonite Church USA.  A vote was taken, and by a margin of 404-84, the resolution was approved and the Membership Guidelines were retired as polity for MC USA. 

After lunch, a facilitated discussion began of “A Resolution for Repentance and Transformation.” The intent of the resolution is to acknowledge the harm done by the church to LGBTQIA persons in the church, to repent of that harm, and to take some remedial steps, including eliminating the Membership Guidelines and adding representation on the Constituency Leaders Council for LGBTQIA persons. After the facilitated discussion, floor discussion was held. Many delegates shared. Many spoke in support of it, while some said they felt like they were being asked to repent for things they had not done. An unsuccessful motion to table the resolution was made. Delegates then voted, 267-212, in favor of the resolution. 

Monday morning’s worship acknowledged the mix of emotions delegates were feeling. There was a facilitated discussion on the “For Justice” resolution, which had been presented as a study resolution not requiring a vote. The MC USA Accessibility Resolution was passed with a show of hands. Some delegates expressed regret that consideration of issues of justice and accessibility were crowded into the end of the agenda and not considered more fully. The assembly concluded with singing, “Blest Be The Tie That Binds.” 

The delegates from Mosaic Conference gathered for a meal at a local restaurant in KC on May 29. Photo by Hendy Matahelemual.
Dave Mansfield (Vincent Mennonite), Harry, Scott Roth (Line Lexington), Noel Santiago (Mosaic) and Hendy Matahelemual (ILC) waiting to Board to Kansas City. Photo by Hendy Matahelemual.
Rodger Schmell (Deep Run West) (left) and Stephen Zacheus (JKIA) (right) enjoy some popcorn during a break. Photo by Hendy Matahelemual.

The Mosaic Board will host post-Assembly listening sessions on June 6, 8, and 9 for further discussion. To register for the delegate listening sessions, please click here.

The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Kansas City Delegate Assembly, Michael Howes

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