Christian and gay

[IndianaGreen]

I had the privilege of having met Pastor Jeff, and I am friends with many members of his congregation. Although I am not a Christian, I am very gratified to see such an open LGBT congregation whose individual members are also politically active.

Christian and gay
Indy’s Jesus Metropolitan Community Church
Matt Sledge

The Rev. Jeffrey Miner preaches a sermon different from any other in Indianapolis. It’s full of the cadences of a Baptist preacher and it’s full of biblical references. But his message — coping and toleration — and his audience — the lesbian and gay community — depart from the traditional view of a church.

Miner is pastor at Jesus Metropolitan Community Church. The church is a member of the Metropolitan Community Churches, an international group of churches that minister to gays and lesbians. And the Rev. Jeffrey Miner — his parishioners call him Pastor Jeff — is unlike any other minister in Indianapolis. He’s an intellectual, Bible-toting, Bob Jones University-educated, Harvard Law School-educated gay preacher.

Miner’s story is like that of many in his church. Rejected by their religion and society, uncertain of their faith, a long and often tortuous journey took them to Jesus MCC, a place where they feel comfortable being both Christian and gay. Born at Beech Grove Hospital, he never quite fit in. He was an enthusiastic “church kid” who found his passion for God at Burge Terrace Baptist Church. But he knew something was wrong after walking down the aisle to be born again.

“I wasn’t really sure it was taking,” he says, “because I sensed I was different, and I wasn’t sure that I had really believed, because if I really believed, would I be different?”

http://www.nuvo.net/archive/2004/09/22/christian_and_gay.html


Reverend Jeffrey Miner is Pastor of JMCC

[William769]

1. MCC was formed in the late 60's.

It has a worldwide Congregation.

[hedgehog]

2. I was thinking about Gays and Christians this week at Church

For anyone who says Jesus never commented about gays:

"Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:
This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.
You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition."


God bless Pastor Jeff and all Christian people fighting the good fight.

[dsc]

3. Thank you for posting such an interesting link

His story is one that is a little familiar to me. I had no idea Bob Jones had intellectual rigor to it, but I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised. Great post.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Here are a couple of links

Pastor Jeff even has a homily on the transgendered which, together with other topics, are available for free on the website.

http://www.jesusmcc.org/

http://www.jesusmcc.org/resource/listen.html

[dsc]

5. Thank you

The MCC is an interesting church. Some of them are actually turning into UCC churches. It will be interesting to see if the MCC can survive in its present form if liberal churches actually wake up on the gay issue. No matter what the MCC will deserve an honored place in history for what they have done.