Churches are irrelevant in todays’ world!
The problem with churches:
Many churches are irrelevant in today’s world. Countless churches only welcome conservatives who follow “traditional values.” Going to church most times means letting go of who we truly are, to be deemed appropriate by the judgmental and religious.
Going to an MCC church isn’t about living in a fantasy world one hour a week on Sunday mornings, it means being a part of a local community who listens, encourages, and walks with you in this crazy thing called life.
What church really is:
The church may look nice with people dressed up, but underneath that dressed-up exterior, we all know their lives are usually messed up -like everyone else’s. Many “church people” like to go on Sunday morning and play dress-up and pretend that life is prettier than it really is. If you are like me, you don’t want to play dress up. Your life has some rough edges just like everyone else’s; and underneath it all, you have a heart that wants to see your own life, your community, and this world get better. It’s often hard to know where to begin.
A Possible Alternative:
Unlike many churches, the Metropolitan Community Church is pro-science, authentic, encouraging, relevant, and social justice-oriented. Founded over fifty years ago by a gay man, the MCC has since been a refuge to outsiders. Coming to an MCC church means bringing your whole authentic self, no dress code, and having no topic be too “taboo” for discussion. Going to an MCC church isn’t about living in a fantasy world one hour a week on Sunday mornings, it means being a part of a local community who listens, encourages, and walks with you in this crazy thing called life.
This Sounds Like a Trap:
I can only speak from my own experience. My experience with the MCC is a community of people who genuinely care about me. I’ve had a local pastor who is a happily married lesbian. My local church has hosted drag bingo and had a local LGBTQ+ pride booth. We always have social justice initiatives to help our local community to become “more woke.” I never feel like I’m fake or putting on a show to make other people happy, and I always know I have people in my life who want the best for me.
If you haven’t found your home or feel like something is missing from your life, why not give church a try? Not just any church–a welcoming, queer, social justice, pro-science church like the MCC. Your whole self is welcomed here.
Going to Church? That just seems so….
Weird, I know. But if you look around this world, you will see all the violence, hate, and oppression, and know something has to change. Is church the only answer? Absolutely not! There are also advocacy groups, political parties, non-profits, and grassroots initiatives that are all working towards making this world a better place. But, if you haven’t found your home or feel like something is missing from your life, why not give church a try? Not just any church–a welcoming, queer, social justice, pro-science church like the MCC. Your whole self is welcomed here.
ABOUT THIS MCC AUTHOR: Luke Shannon is an MDiv graduate from Lancaster Theological Seminary who is seeking ordination in the Metropolitan Community Church. As a millennial in the church, I am passionate about doing church differently and assisting people to become the best version of themselves. I believe in holistic health, radical inclusion, science, social justice, and the Good News that God loves ALL people.
