November 10, 2014
Mennonite pastor Chester Wenger, 96, lost his credentials because he officiated at a private wedding between his gay son and his partner of 27 years. Same-sex marriage is legal in the state of Pennsylvania where his son and partner live and were married.
Mennonite guidelines state that “pastors holding credentials in a conference of Mennonite Church USA may not perform a same-sex covenant.”
Wenger wrote “An open letter to my beloved church” baring his heart and pleading with the denomination to come to a position of welcome and acceptance of LGBT people.
“Paul and Peter both received harsh criticism for years for their deeds but the Holy Spirit led the Jerusalem conference to heartily approve their testimony and leadership. My prayer is that our Church leaders in their next Assembly will likewise not only approve but warmly invite into congregational fellowship those believers in Christ who have suffered exclusion from membership in our Mennonite Church. Let us pray the Spirit of Christ will teach us all how to love and welcome the outcasts as Jesus did.”
Read his articulate and grace-filled letter on The Mennonite website.
