Also known as the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, there are more than two hundred congregations affiliated with the Metropolitan Community Churches, known mostly for its outreach to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.
The fellowship has been denied membership in the US-based National Council of Churches due to its positions on homosexuality. The Protestant body is unique in that it was founded specifically for the purpose of affirming homosexuality. The theology and practice of the MCC to accept and welcome the LGBT community in all aspects of church life. The majority of its members are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, and many of its clergies are openly homosexual.
The MCC also affirms the equality of both men and women in the service of the church. More than forty percent of its clergy are female.
Metropolitan Community Churches bases its theology on the historic creeds of the Christian Church, including the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. The Lord's Supper is celebrated at least once a week, and it is not necessary for recipients to be members of the church in order to partake of communion.
Member churches are autonomous in doctrine, worship, and practice, so worship styles may vary from congregation to congregation. Some local churches are Pentecostal in nature, while others are more liturgical.
Church leadership views the mission of the fellowship to be as much social as spiritual, holding that both homosexuality and heterosexuality are gifts from God. This is particularly clear in its stands on gay rights, but most congregations are also involved in other social justice issues.
The first congregation of the Metropolitan Community Churches was founded by Troy Perry in 1968. The congregation initially met in Perry's home in Huntington Park, California, and was promoted through advertisements in The Advocate magazine, an LGBT publication.
By 1969, the church's membership had reached two hundred, and it rented a space for worship services but had difficulty finding a permanent place to meet. After moving a few times in one year, it rented the Encore Theatre in Hollywood from 1969 to 1971.
Within months of the church's founding, Perry received visits and letters from people who wanted to form Metropolitan Community Churches in other places, so it quickly became a fellowship. Today, it has congregations in thirty-seven countries, but its largest presence is in the United States, followed by Canada.
The fellowship has lost some congregations whose members were frustrated over what they viewed as an overemphasis on gay and lesbian issues, to the exclusion of everything else. Most of them joined with the United Church of Christ.
The leadership of Metropolitan Community Churches is in a Council of Elders and a Governing Board. The Council of Elders includes a Moderator and six regional elders appointed by the Moderator, approved by the Governing Board, and affirmed by the General Conference. The Governing Board consists of the Moderator, four lay members, and four members of the clergy, who are elected by the General Conference, and serves as the corporate board in legal and financial matters.
Internationally, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches is led by the General Conference, which meets every three years to receive reports from the various boards, commissions, committees, and councils of the fellowship. The place of meeting varies from conference to conference, as the General Conference meets within and without the United States.
Local congregations are autonomous but subject to the UFMCC Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, or other legally binding organizational documents, as well as the General Conference. Each congregation determines its own matters of theology and practice, so long as they meet the basic requirements of open communion and adherence to traditional Christian creeds.
The focus of this category is on the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, also known as Metropolitan Community Churches, and may include official websites of the fellowship or of any of its affiliated or associated ministries, programs, associations, organizations, or corporations. Informational sites are also appropriate, as long as they are focused on the MCC, whether or not they are supportive or critical of the fellowship.
Recommended Resources
Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles is the founding church of the MCC fellowship and rooted in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transvestite, queer, and intersex communities. Its history, visitor information, schedules, and a calendar of events are published to the site. MCC broadcasts and other videos are available online, and its leadership structure, administrative contacts, news, and announcements are included.
http://foundersmcc.org/
Good Hope Metropolitan Community Church
Located in Cape Town, South Africa, the congregation is affiliated with the Metropolitan Community Churches and was founded by the gay community of Cape Town in 1983. Originally nondenominational, the congregation became a member of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches denomination. A statement of faith, sacraments, rites, and an overview of the denomination is included.
http://www.goodhopemcc.org/
Metropolitan Community Church of Louisville
Affiliated with the Universal Fellowship of the Metropolitan Community Church, the Louisville, Kentucky church was founded in 1968. The affirming and welcoming church meets and maintains its offices at Saint Andrew United Church of Christ. Directions, worship schedules, a calendar of events, and an overview of its ministries, outreach activities, and educational programs are posted to the site.
https://www.louisvillemcc.org/
Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco
MCC San Francisco meets at its facilities on Polk Street every Sunday at noon and on Wednesdays at 7 pm, as well as at other times for events and programming that focuses on community and social justice issues. Directions, office hours and administrative contacts, a calendar of programs and events, and an introduction to the church’s pastor and head staff are included. Contributions may be made online.
http://mccsf.org/
Metropolitan Community Church of Windsor
Meeting at its facilities in Sarasota, Florida, the Christian church is open to all but has a particular ministry to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities, as well as their families and friends. The church’s location, service schedules, and a calendar of upcoming programs and events are presented, and recent sermons may be viewed online. Announcements are published to the site.
http://mccwindsor.org/
Metropolitan Community Churches
Formed in 1968, Metropolitan Community Churches has been at the forefront of the civil rights movement, especially in matters of sexual orientation, but also in issues of race, gender, economic, aging, and climate change. The official website of the fellowship includes a history of the MCC, a statement of faith, mission, and vision, press releases, and MCC core documents. Member churches and organizations are identified.
https://www.mccchurch.org/
