There were a fair amount of comments stating that consultation would not be helpful and MCUSA theologians are too often too disconnected from reality to be helpful.” “WDC many rules” “too does not have the power to stop a congregation from making a decision that it feels is in “WDC the best interest of its members and community” Several comments were made the lack of support or trust for WDC (and in some statements MCUSA) leadership. sounds correct. But you still have to have good leadership that have some common sense “This and not fall for pleasing congregations who are trying to be correct’ and use such ‘politically spiritual language that the Holy Spirit is leading them to illegal and accepting relationships that are not condoned by the Bible.” don’t think our church, when faced with a question, has ever found a clear answer from “I WDC.” and only if the wdc leadership is strong and committed to the Word. Would you, leadership, “If seriously listen to a congregation wanting to bring in practicing, unrepentant pedophiles?” Several comments stated that congregations ultimately make their own decisions: for resources in the decision-making process, asking for prayer but the “Consult=looking decisions come down to the church community.” made at the congregational level should only affect themselves.” “Decisions There were multiple calcification statements: consult with WDC leadership” “May in dialog with might be better than consult with” “Be do not believe WDC leadership is the ultimate decision-maker.” “I this is for the purpose of discernment, yes.” “If the definition of importance’ amounts to to be a headache for conference “If ‘major ‘liable authorities’ it seems only courteous for there to be some prior dialogue.” 13 The statements of belief and practice of Mennonite Church USA should be binding upon its conferences and their congregations. Answered: 1509 Skipped: 187 Date: 9/4/14 Strongly Agree 12% Agree 26% No Opinion/Don’t Know 12% Disagree 35% Strongly Disagree 15% Comments: 304, 20% offered comments
There were a fair amount of comments stating that consultation would not be helpful “WDC and MCUSA theologians are too often too disconnected from reality to be helpful.” “too many rules” “WDC does not have the power to stop a congregation from making a decision that it feels is in the best interest of its members and community” Several comments were made the lack of support or trust for WDC (and in some statements MCUSA) leadership. “This sounds correct. But you still have to have good leadership that have some common sense and not fall for pleasing congregations who are trying to be ‘politically correct’ and use such spiritual language that the Holy Spirit is leading them to illegal and accepting relationships that are not condoned by the Bible.” “I don’t think our church, when faced with a question, has ever found a clear answer from WDC.” “If and only if the wdc leadership is strong and committed to the Word. Would you, leadership, seriously listen to a congregation wanting to bring in practicing, unrepentant pedophiles?” Several comments stated that congregations ultimately make their own decisions: “Consult=looking for resources in the decision-making process, asking for prayer but the decisions come down to the church community.” “Decisions made at the congregational level should only affect themselves.” There were multiple calcification statements: “May consult with WDC leadership” “Be in dialog with might be better than consult with” “I do not believe WDC leadership is the ultimate decision-maker.” “If this is for the purpose of discernment, yes.” “If the definition of ‘major importance’ amounts to ‘liable to be a headache for conference authorities’ it seems only courteous for there to be some prior dialogue.” 13 The statements of belief and practice of Mennonite Church USA should be binding upon its conferences and their congregations. Answered: 1509 Skipped: 187 Date: 9/4/14 Strongly Agree 12% Agree 26% No Opinion/Don’t Know 12% Disagree 35% Strongly Disagree 15% Comments: 304, 20% offered comments
Discernment-Task-Force-Survey-Report-1003141.docx