Central Plains Mennonite Conference
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CPMC at Work: Variance

Counsel Regarding Congregations at Variance


     We believe that the church of Jesus Christ is one body with many members, ordered in such a way that, through the one Spirit, believers may be built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. 
     As God's people, the church is a holy temple, a spiritual house, founded upon the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. Church order is needed to maintain unity on important matters of faith and life so that each may serve and be served, and the body of Christ may be built up in love. Love and unity in the church are a witness to the world of God's love. 
     In making decisions, whether to choose leaders or resolve issues, members of the church listen and speak in a spirit of prayerful openness, with the Scriptures as the constant guide. Persons shall expect not only affirmation, but also correction. In a process of discernment, it is better to wait patiently for a word from the Lord leading toward consensus, than to make hasty decisions.
                                                                                                                         --from Article 16, Confession of Faith in Mennonite Perspective, 1995


On this page you will find the documents and resources related to the question of how we give and receive counsel within the body of Christ when congregations differ on matters of faith, such as same sex orientation and committed same sex relationships. 

We also offer resources for creating settings for Bible study, healthy dialogue, and spiritual discernment in your local congregation. May God's Spirit lead us to fullness of grace and truth.

Documents related to the 2012 discernment process regarding Faith Mennonite Church

2012 Regional Meetings for Giving and Receiving Counsel
Resources Provided to Participants:

  • Outline of the Guided Conversation at the Regional Meetings
  • Faith Mennonite Narrative
  • Faith Mennonite Church's Statement on Family, Singleness, and Marriage and Marriage Guidelines
  • Becoming a United Church in a World of Division: A Biblical View of Christian Unity
  • Central Plains Variance Policy
  • Central Plains By-laws
  • Confession of Faith in Mennonite Perspective, 1995
Summary of the counsel received at the regional meetings

From the Conference Board in Response
to the Regional Meetings

April 24, 2013 Letter to Congregations and Participants
Bible Study on Revelation 1-3, "How Would Jesus Exercise Regional Church Discipline?"

The Pastoral Leadership Committee credential review

March 2014 Letter from Moderator Nathan Luitjens and Report from the Pastoral Leadership Committee

Church-wide Statements

Denominational Studies and Statements on Human Sexuality:
  • Resolution on Human Sexuality, 1986
  • A Call to Affirmation, Confession and Covenant Regarding Human Sexuality, 1987
  • Confession of Faith in Mennonite Perspective, 1995​
  • Mennonite Church USA Membership Guidelines

Resources that Model or Help to Foster Healthy Dialogue

  • Agreeing and Disagreeing in Love, 1995
  • Acuerdos y Desacuerdos in Amor, 1995
  • Grismrud, Ted and Mark Thiessen Nation, Reasoning Together: A Conversation on Homosexuality, Scottdale: Herald Press, 2008
  • King, Michael, Stumbling toward a Genuine Conversation on Homosexuality, Telford, PA: Cascadia, 2007 
  • Via, Dan O. and Robert Gagnon, Homosexuality and the Bible: Two Views, Minneapolis: Fortress, 2003.

Book-length Resources that are Aligned with the Mennonite Church Teaching Positions on Human Sexuality

  • Swartley, Willard, Homosexuality: Biblical Interpretation and Moral Discernment, Scottdale: Herald Press, 2003
  • Hershberger, Anne, Sexuality: God's Gift, Scottdale: Herald Press, 2010
  • Paris, Jennell Williams Paris, The End of Sexual Identity: Why Sex is too Important to Define who we Are, Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2011
  • Marin, Andrew, Love Is an Orientation, Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 2009
  • Hirsch, Deb, Redeeming Sex: Naked Conversations about Sexuality and Spirituality, Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity, 2015.


Other Resources for Further Thought and Discernment

  • Greg Boyd video, Homosexuality and the Church: Finding a “Third Way”
  • Eddy, Paul, Kingdom Sex: Toward a Covenant-Centered Theology of Human Sexuality, revised 2013
  • Friesen, Philip E., Jesus, Gender, Marriage and Same-Sex Relationship. fromThe Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, published by Galilean Fellows, 2016
  • Kraus, Norman, On Being Human: Sexuality and the Image of God, Eugene: Cascade Books, 2011 
Office Manager: P.O. Box 101, Freeman, SD 57029  office@centralplainsmc.org  phone: 605-929-3325
Ministry Staff Office: P.O. Box 352, Kalona, IA 52247
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Central Plains Structure
    • Staff >
      • Executive Conference Minister
      • Ministerial Leadership
      • Formation Minister
      • Hispanic Ministries
    • Map of Conference
    • Congregations >
      • Illinois
      • Iowa
      • Minnesota
      • Montana
      • Nebraska
      • South Dakota
      • Wisconsin
    • Board
    • Committees >
      • Christian Formation
      • Outreach and Service >
        • Church Planting
        • Peace and Justice Task Group
        • Practicing Offering and Receiving Hospitality
      • Pastoral Leadership
    • Partners in Mission >
      • Agape Peace Center
      • Philip Friesen
    • Camps & Schools
    • Who are the Mennonites?
  • CPMC at Work
    • MC USA Delegate Resources
    • Publications >
      • Scattered Seeds
      • The Sower
    • Events >
      • Annual Meeting 2022
      • Healthy Boundaries Training
      • Regional Meetings 2022 >
        • Regional Meeting Resources
    • CPMC Covenant
    • New Ministries Fund >
      • Reports of Past Grant Recipients
    • Counsel on variance
  • Congregational Leaders
    • Pastors
    • Elders & Deacons
    • Church Council
    • Support for Conflict >
      • Facilitation Services and Donations
    • Pastor Openings
  • Mission Leaders
    • Racism webinar videos
    • Ecuador/Venezuela Partnership >
      • Story of the Ecuador Partnership
      • Personnel and Partnership Members
      • Quito Property Fund
    • Church Planting >
      • Developing Congregations
    • Travel Like Dave
    • Missional Discipleship Initiative
    • Islam and the Gospel
  • Formation Leaders
    • Formation in Worship
    • Formation Resource Library
    • Children and Families >
      • Faith at Home
      • Curriculum for Children
      • Shine
      • Resources for Parents
      • Protecting Children
    • Youth >
      • Youth Sponsors
      • Youth Curriculum
      • Youth SS Teachers
      • Mentor Coordinator
      • CO Resources
      • Helpful sites for YM
    • Adults >
      • Adult Faith at Home
      • Adult Curriculum
      • Teaching resources
      • Adult Spirituality
    • Shalom Readers >
      • Book List
      • Shalom Readers Adult List
    • Curriculum Evaluation Tool
  • Resources
    • Anti Racism Resources
    • Bible study Webinars >
      • Bible Study Webinars 2016
      • Bible Study Webinars 2017
    • Conference Documents
    • Christian Discernment
    • En Espanol
    • Immigration
    • Mennonite Links
    • Spiritual Deliverance
  • Contact Us
    • Contact form
    • Church contact info form
    • Donate
    • COVID Relief
    • Discerning Future Leaders
    • Sunday Speaking Information Sheet