The Purpose: At a time when there is growing pressure on the church to change our denominational position, the purpose of this conference is to provide Biblical teaching on homosexuality as affirmed by our Mennonite Confession of Faith and other denominational documents. The conference is open to all members of Franconia and Eastern District Conference churches, as well as other Mennonite congregations, offering an opportunity for the Mennonite Church to speak with a unified voice to educate, equip and encourage its members in what God's word teaches on this subject.

The conference will feature sermons and teaching sessions led by MCUSA Pastors from Eastern District and Franconia Conferences, who will seek to give attendees a better understanding of pertinent Biblical texts and help them better discern and respond to teachings and claims regarding aspects of human sexuality that are at odds with the Scriptures. The conference will also provide a Biblical approach to shaping a redemptive, rather than enabling, message for persons trapped by sin, affirming God's love and compassion for all sinners, and His desire for all people to walk in holiness.

Testimonies will also be shared from persons who have experienced the forgiving, healing work of Christ in their lives, bringing them out of the homosexual lifestyle. The conference will also include a youth breakout session.

Teaching/Preaching Themes:

“And they will become one flesh.”

Genesis 2; other texts

This session will survey the theological position of the people of God through the ages concerning homosexual practice. We will look at the Biblical texts in Genesis that establish God’s plan for healthy sexuality, but also consider the historical stance of the church and the scriptural—and unscriptural—responses to those who struggle with homosexuality.

“Therefore, God gave them over.”

Romans 1: 16-32

Most of us would put Romans 1:16 on a plaque and hang it in our kitchen. But have you ever seen a plaque with Romans 1:18? What comes to your mind when you think about God’s wrath? This text invites us to consider three powerful words: wrath, abandonment and grace.

“Such were some of you.”

I Corinthians 6:9-20

Homosexuality, as with all sexual sins, is a perversion of God’s purpose for our bodies, and a violation of God’s ownership of our bodies. Our bodies are to be the place in which the sanctifying work of Christ is being realized and expressed, giving us an identity no longer as sinner, but as saint. This is the work of God’s grace, which should be understood as freeing us from sin—not being freed to sin.

“Neither do I condemn you; go now and leave your life of sin.”

Matthew 19:3-6, John 8:1-11

Jesus upheld the teaching in Genesis that marriage is a permanent bond between a man and a woman—but also extended forgiveness to persons who had failed to live up to God’s standard. The church today is God's agent to show Christ's compassion and bring healing and hope to those struggling with sexual identity issues.

“They will turn their ears away from the truth.”

2 Timothy 4:1-8

Christians today are increasingly looking to other sources for truth and guidance besides the Bible. Our culture seems to have more influence over the church than the church has over the culture. The Bible teaches a higher morality and standard than the world does. Yet as Christians, we are constantly under attack for our faith, doctrine and theology. Paul instructed Timothy how to take a stand in a world that was unfriendly and hostile toward Biblical truth. How can this passage teach us to do the same?

Presenting Pastors

Marc Hershberger, Grace Mennonite Church, Eastern District Conference

Lowell Delp, Line Lexington Mennonite Church, Franconia Conference

Don Fry, New Eden Fellowship, Eastern District Conference

Charles Ness, Perkiomenville Mennonite Church, Franconia Conference

Rodger Schmell, Deep Run West Mennonite Church, Eastern District Conference

Scott Roth, New Eden Fellowship, Eastern District Conference

Participating Ministries

Conference attendees will also hear testimony to the redemptive nature of God's grace from two organizations that minister to the sexually broken:

HARVEST USA (Philadelphia) is a ministry of truth and mercy, proclaiming Christ as Lord to a sexually broken world. The purpose of HARVEST USA is to partner with and equip the church in bringing the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to transform the lives of those affected by sexual sin.

six11 ministries (Berne, IN) has a passion to reconnect people—especially members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender community—with their God-given identity and, in so doing, to help them find fulfilling and lasting wholeness.

A portion of each registration fee will be directed to these two ministries.