Manitoba MB churches begin to address same-gender attraction

How is the MB church approaching the issue of same-gender attraction among its committed Christian members? For years there’s been a simple answer. We haven’t, because leaders haven’t been trained how to speak about, let alone to, homosexual members.

Ken and Carolee Neufeld are Winnipeg-based counsellors who are partnering with Tye Gamey’s grassroots organization, Living Waters, which provides support for those caught in various struggles, including sexual abuse, incest, pornography, and co-dependence. They’re giving workshops that address same-gender attraction, and for the first time in Manitoba, events are being held in Mennonite Brethren churches – McIvor Ave, Feb. 9, and Christian Family Centre, Feb. 24.

Tye Gamey, who struggled with a gay lifestyle in the past, is well-known for his stance that homosexual acts are a sin. Past member of the MeetingPlace, a Winnipeg MB church, he developed 8-week and summer workshops for those too afraid to speak in public. Only recently, he says, have MB churches even admitted there’s a problem.

“Some good equipping needs to happen, because people that are compassionate sometimes have difficulty knowing how to speak about the issue without sounding homophobic.”

Keith Poysti, Manitoba conference minister, says every church he’s served in he’s had to deal with members with same-gender attraction. “But we don’t know how to engage in discussion,” he says.

Kevin Moore, a new MB pastor at 614 Jamestown located near a gay district in Toronto, says other denominations he’s served with have also avoided the issue. Since his hiring this summer, he’s yet to speak to conference leadership about it. “Our position on the issue is similar in tone to the Mennonite Church USA, and there isn’t much discussion so far. But the way this really gets to the forefront is when a gay couple is married – I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what has to happen in the MB church before we address it seriously. Crisis usually precipitates discussion.”

—AS