What are the “Metropolitan Community Churches (ICM)” and what do you believe in?
“There is NO ONE way to answer that question.” ICM is really a diverse group of people with different perspectives and opinions and, as you read articles by our ICM authors and authors and explore our various ICM churches, you will notice this beautiful diversity of opinions, expressions and points of view. That’s how we are as a people! Diversity is a central part of ICM!
Many people within the ICM, and many people who know us, consider us a Protestant Christian denomination. We also consider ourselves a spiritual movement (more on that later). We are an international group of churches and religious communities that was founded in 1968 in the United States by a courageous gay Christian pastor named Reverend Troy Perry.
We have many heterosexual people who are part of ICM and are important and esteemed members, leaders and clergy and clergy of ICM! Most of our members, however, are from the LGBTQ + community. In fact, we are unique among Christian denominations because we are mainly made up of LGBTQ + people, we focus on addressing LGBTQ + issues, and we are the ONLY denomination for which these things have been true FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS! The idea that God totally loves and accepts gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans *, pansexual, intersex, asexual and various queer people is NOT new to us! We always welcome and embrace the LGBTQ + community. More than that … WE ARE the LGBTQ + community!
We are also considered by many to be “progressive Christians”. Part of being “progressive” means that we often see ourselves not just as a denomination, but as a spiritual movement of people on a collective journey and as people always on the lookout. For us, this “search” means four things:
We believe that love is the most important force on earth and we do everything we can to make everyone feel welcome and included in our ICM churches and faith communities. We are always looking to share our love with others!
We also believe that we can learn about faith, God, Jesus, churches, our spiritual self, our sacred body and more when we come together in community. Many of us have been taught that there is only one “Truth” (capital V). However, dogmatic religious views that restrict the truth in this way have not served us well. In fact, we use the plural (lowercase v) “truths” to indicate that there are many truths, and we can best discover them when we honestly explore our faith, beliefs and issues together as a group of people, with various perspectives. Yes, we are always looking for more truths!
We all know that the world we live in is not always loving. There are people who don’t care about truths that help make our world fair and just. And that is why we believe it is important to go out into the world and help all people who are oppressed and help to end oppressive systems that hurt or punish people or groups. We are always seeking more justice in our world!
Finally, we believe that “we” matter. We believe it really matters! We respect our individual rights, identity and opinions; but we also believe that something incredible happens when we try to get together as a group of people. We believe that we are more loving, wiser and more just when we exist, act and believe as a group!
And so, let’s be honest about the main objectives of this site. It was created as a way to invite you to join us on this journey , learn more about ICM and perhaps even consider joining one of our churches or communities . And know that our “search” is for a reason: We are looking for you!
Declaração de Fé das ICM´s
Adotada na XXVI Conferência Geral, Victoria, Columbia Britânica, Canadá
Adotada: 05 de Julho de 2016
Preâmbulo
A Igreja da Comunidade Metropolitana é um capítulo na história da Igreja, o Corpo de Cristo. Somos essoas em uma caminhada, aprendendo a viver nossa espiritualidade, enquanto afirmamos nossos corpos, nossos gêneros e nossas sexualidades. Nem todas as pessoas acreditam exatamente no mesmo. E mesmo em meio à diversidade, estamos construindo uma comunidade, enraizada no amor radicalmente inclusivo de Deus para todas as pessoas. Somos parte de um diálogo em andamento, em questões de crença e fé formadas pelas Escrituras e pelos credos históricos, construído segundo os que nos precederam. Nosso capítulo começa quando Deus nos diz: “Venham, vejam e experimentem”.
Nossa Fé
“Venham, vejam e experimentem!”. Jesus Cristo, tu convidas a todos os povos a sua mesa aberta. Tu fizeste-nos seu povo, uma comunidade amada. Tu restauras o prazer de nossa relação com Deus, inclusive em meio à solidão, ao desespero e à degradação. Somos pessoas únicas e cada uma faz parte do todo, do sacerdócio de todos os crentes. Batizadas e cheias do Espírito Santo, Tu nos empodera para sermos tua presença saradora no mundo ferido.
Esperamos ver Teu Reino, assim na Terra como nos céus, e trabalharemos por um mundo onde todas as pessoas tenham o que precisam que acabem as guerras e toda a criação viva em harmonia. Reconhecemos Tua entrega da terra, do mar e do ar aos cuidados de toda a humanidade. Portanto, ativamente resistimos aos sistemas e estruturas que estão destruindo a sua criação.
Com toda a criação, Te adoramos – cada tribo, cada língua, cada povo, cada nação. Conhecemos-te com diversos nomes, Deus Trino, muito além da compreensão, revelado em Jesus Cristo, que nos convida à festa.
Amém.
