The resolutions committee of Mennonite Church USA on Friday released proposed statements on national health care, human trafficking and homosexuality.

The three resolutions will be considered by the delegates in the Saturday morning session.  The delegates may vote to adopt some or all of the resolutions.

The human sexuality resolution, officially called “A resolution on following Christ and growing together as communities even in conflict,” was drafted after the committee received conflicting statements from interested groups. One group affirmed Mennonite Church USA’s current position, and one questioned it. Rather than attempt to vote on either, the resolution committee decided to draft an entirely new statement.

“It was a prayerful, God-led experience,” said Terry Shue, chair of the resolutions committee. “We read them, laid them aside and created an entirely new document … a synthesis of the two.  It is a brand new resolution whose ownership is solely with the resolution committee.”

The statement reads in part: “We acknowledge the pain and frustration of this issue for a number of conferences, congregations, families and individuals. While we clearly hear dissenting voices, we affirm the statements by Mennonite Church USA on Human Sexuality which have been previously passed and are currently in place.”

Tim Jost drafted the national health care resolution, called the “Healthcare Policy Principles.”  Jost teaches health policy and law in Harrisonburg, Va.  He consulted several people in drafting the document, including Joe Kotva, who works at the Anabaptist Center for Healthcare Efforts at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.  The document encourages Mennonites to become proactive in pushing for a national plan providing adequate health care for all Americans.

“The primary goal,” Jost said, ” is to urge our congregations to speak to their legislators on this issue.”

This statement should not be confused with The Corinthian Plan, which intends to provide a group insurance plan for all pastors of Mennonite congregations and employees working more than 30 hours per week for Mennonite congregations.

The third statement for the delegates to consider was a call to join with other Christian denominations in opposing human trafficking and all forms of human slavery.

The statement was prepared by Rhoda Keener, of Mennonite Women USA; Susan Mark Landis, peace advocate for Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership; and Linda Gehman Peachey, Mennonite Central Committee, Women’s Advocacy.

According to the statement, human trafficking is the third-largest criminal industry in the world. About 12-30 million people are victims worldwide, and as many as 18,000 are victims in the United States.

Keener said, “I’ve wanted to speak out on this issue for a while, but I never felt educated enough.”

In September, Keener attended a gathering of women of faith organizations across from the United Nations in New York. This gathering inspired her to take action.

Referring to the story in Judges 19 of violence against a woman, the statement encourages Mennonites to “consider it” through becoming educated, to “take counsel” by consulting others, and to “speak out” by joining voices as a body of Christ.

“This is a statement that other denominations have,” said Keener, “and we certainly need to join.”