Why Mill Creek Community Church is a Safe Place for LGBTQ+

MCCC is known for being a welcoming and loving presence in our community. This community focus has resulted in attracting many who identify as LGBTQ+, as well as families with loved ones, friends, and coworkers who identify as LGBTQ+. We do not see a distinction or perceive a separation between followers of Jesus based on one’s sexual identity or orientation. We believe the love of Jesus is inclusive, not exclusionary, embracing all who seek to follow him. Our love for members of the LGBTQ+ community and our calling by God to bring the hope of the gospel to them and their family members has opened our hearts and minds to the fresh and new interpretation of Scripture that Peter demonstrated in Acts 11 and Acts 15. 

While treasuring and honoring the Bible as the revealed Word of God, we see the handful of passages that explicitly address homosexual behavior (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:9-10) as condemning lust, not addressing same-sex orientation or healthy, same-sex relationships within a covenantal marriage. The clear and dominant message heralded throughout Scripture calls us to bless others with unconditional love (Matthew 22:39; John 13:35).

At MCCC we view LGBTQ+ persons as fellow image bearers of God, equally valued as such without discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We welcome all to serve in every area of the church’s life and ministry according to their calling and gifts. This includes paid staff and leadership positions for those members called and gifted for leadership. As we live, love, and minister together as a community of believers, we call all of our members and attenders to embrace a radical obedience to the path, walk, and teachings of our Lord as we each strive to live a Christlike life, keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, producing the spiritual fruit of abundant life (Galatians 5:22-23).

We are living in a time and place where the institution of marriage is open to all couples. The Bible passages addressing homosexual behavior seem to focus on extra-marital sexual activity fueled by lust. We encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as heterosexual members to express their sexuality within the confines of the covenant of marriage. We believe that the church should bless and celebrate monogamous covenantal marriage, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation.

MCCC is open and affirming to full participation of  LGBTQ+ persons in the life and membership of our congregation and we hope and pray that every person who enters our church will feel welcome in our diverse congregation and will experience the life-changing love of Jesus.