At the recent Mennonite Church USA convention I happened upon a communion service in the lobby of the convention centre. It was hosted by the “Pink Mennos,” a group of Mennonite Christians hoping for the greater inclusion of gays and lesbians in our churches. I was not really familiar with the group but was invited to participate with a brief explanation of why this was happening in this public space, i.e. they were not welcome to host any events in official church rented space.
I found myself conflicted. I was drawn to participate because it seemed that this is what Jesus would have done. Jesus always seemed drawn to outsiders and those usually not welcome in established religious institutions and they in turn were drawn to him. At the same time I wondered what someone might think back home in my church and college where I teach. I could be guilty by association and cause a lot of controversy. But of course Jesus also got into trouble with the religious leaders for his welcoming attitudes and actions. And so the internal debate went.
Without getting into all the issues that the Mennonite church on both sides of the border is dealing with [and many other denominations], I think my little dilemma asks some important questions about men’s spirituality. Why are heterosexual men so often homophobic? How do gay men threaten our manhood? Is it necessary to be heterosexually active to be a real man? Why are we afraid to embrace homosexual men [physically, spiritually and ecclesiastically]? What does this all this say about male spirituality? How are sexuality and spirituality related?
I did stick around for a few hymns and readings and ate the “bread” offered to me but I stayed on the fringe of the small gathering in my thoughts which I share with you now.
