Division or Unity-in-Motion?: Probing the Possibility of Disagreement as the Work of the Holy Spirit

In this theological studies paper, Bryan asks, Can it be that, in the context of a vigorous and ongoing process of discernment, the current disagreements within Mennonite Church Canada about same sex relationships may be understood as the work of the Spirit among us? What might it mean, when discernment does not result in agreement, to heed the apostle who “begs” his readers “to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3)? “Is the same Spirit leading us to different understandings of faithfulness in regards to same sex relationships?” Or is it possible that this suggestion represents a cop-out or a loss of nerve – a way of blessing or baptizing the strongly held views of different “sides” and short-circuiting an ongoing process that seeks (or should seek) a more unified understanding and a clearer articulation of a “position” as a national church body?