USMB sends letter to U.S. Supreme Court
The issue of same sex marriage has become an increasingly divisive debate in our nation. In response, we felt it was important for our voice to be heard by our leaders who are making weighty decisions. And so the USMB Board of Faith and Life sent a letter, reprinted below, to the U.S. Supreme Court. Our intent and our hope with this letter is to lovingly—yet boldly—speak our convictions that we believe come from God. Even more importantly, we want to lead by example, practically and passionately loving our neighbors as we love ourselves and modeling an attitude of living at peace with those in our communities who might differ in opinion with us. —USMB Board of Faith and Life
March 31, 2015
Dear Justices,
This letter comes to you on behalf of the 204 Mennonite Brethren congregations in the United States, representing more than 30,000 members. It is our understanding that the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), of which we are a member, has sent a brief to the Supreme Court regarding the matter of same sex marital unions. While we have not chosen to join in affixing our representative signature to that document for a variety of reasons, we do wish to register our conviction as a faith community.
While intending no disrespect toward any who would differ, we do believe that our confessional/doctrinal statement below is a matter of core conviction. We further believe that our national society will be best served if the historic Judeo/Christian definition of marriage is upheld.
The United States Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches holds to the following conviction: “Marriage is a covenant relationship intended to unite a man and a woman for life. At creation God designed marriage for companionship, sexual union and the birth and nurture of children. Sexual intimacy rightfully takes place only within marriage. Marriage is to be characterized by mutual love, faithfulness and submission” (USMB Confession of Faith, Article 11: Marriage, Singleness and Family).
The holy Scriptures instruct Christians to pray for those in authority. Yours is a difficult and complex role in a diverse society, which emphasizes the freedom of the individual. We commit to pray for you as you discern this challenging and polarizing question before you.
As Mennonite Brethren, we are called to be obedient followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Where that obedience puts us at odds with the surrounding culture, we must as people of Biblical conviction choose obedience to our leader and Lord.
Sincerely,
Don Morris
USMB Conference Interim Executive Director
Larry Nikkel
Chair, USMB Board of Faith and Life
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