LGBTQ+ Inclusion at MCCC

This message is based on John 13:34-35 and Ephesians 3:17-19, preached by Pastor Rob Jansons at Mill Creek Community Church in June 2022.  It lays the foundation for the centrality of love as the primary expression of our faith, a love that expands to include everyone. This message talks about the church being a place where everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, is equally valued, has an equal opportunity to serve, and has equal expectations of what discipleship looks like in their lives. 

Preached by Pastor Rob Jansons at Mill Creek Community Church on June 22, 2025 as part of our annual Pride weekend event. As Christians we believe that every person is made in God’s image. Jesus modeled a welcoming love and taught that love is the defining characteristic of those who are his disciples. How can the church today be the hands, feet and mouthpiece of Jesus if we marginalize and villainize groups of people? Tangible love stands up for those unseen, speaks up for those denied a seat at the tables of power, and reaches out to those shoved to the margins. This the gospel, the core of what it means to follow Jesus.

Preached at Mill Creek Community Church by Pastor Rob Jansons on September 18, 2022, this message is based on Acts 11:1-18, part of the Acts of Inclusion sermon series.  Acts 10 tells the story of Peter having a vision and a call from God to meet Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, in his home. While there, Peter changes his understanding of who is included in the Kingdom of God in light of Jesus’ love and the expanding work of the Holy Spirit. The church in the 21st Century must as well!

Preached by Pastor Rob Jansons at Mill Creek Community Church on October 2, 2022, this message is based on the parable of the Good Samaritan. While some try to limit love, Jesus expands our view of love. We are to love those different from us. As Christians we must view all people, especially those in need, as children of God. In telling this parable, Jesus also redefines our relationship with Old Testament laws, teaching that the law of love supersedes any commandments or regulations made to Israel as part of the old covenant.

Preached by Pastor Rob Jansons at Mill Creek Community Church on September 8, 2024 as part of the "Following the Scandal" sermon series. No one wants another scandal in the church. And yet, in 1 Corinthians 1:23, Paul refers to Jesus as The Scandal, the one who makes people stumble. What is so scandalous about Jesus? Why were most of the guardians of religion appalled by Jesus? How is following Jesus, the one called Scandal, a journey into what some see as scandalous behavior, and where might it lead?

Preached by Pastor Rob Jansons at Mill Creek Community Church on September 22, 2024 as part of the "Following the Scandal" sermon series. Pharisees took hand washing to the extreme and created elaborate rituals for purification prior to eating. Jesus’ disciples did not follow such religious rules and offended the religious leaders. How can we resist the tendency to take our religion and twist it into hypocritical legalism?