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21 Jul 2011

Rev. Nancy Wilson – Metropolitan Community Churches

Many LGBT individuals are conflicted between their sexual orientation and religious beliefs. The Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) finds this conflict needless. Fridae's Raymond Ko speaks to Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson of the MCC about her church and her life when she was in Hong Kong last week.

Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson serves as the current Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), an international Protestant Christian denomination with some 300 member-congregations in 40 countries and a mission to provide outreach to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender families and communities.

æ: Can you briefly introduce your church?

Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson

Rev. Wilson: The Metropolitan Community Church was founded 42 years ago in 1968 by Rev. Troy Perry, after he was kicked out of the Pentacostal Church for being gay. It is the first church founded by LGBT people for the LGBT community. Since 2005 I've been the Moderator (leader) of the MCC. Today the MCC has more than 300 churches and centers in 40 countries. Although it is a protestant church, it also supports other faiths in their efforts to include LGBT individuals. For example, we help founded a gay synagogue in Los Angeles and support a gay Muslim group in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

æ: One of main issues the MCC deals with is same-sex marriage.

Rev. Wilson: That’s right. Our founder, Rev. Elder Troy Perry, performed the first public same-sex marriage in the US in 1969. Today, the MCC performs same-sex marriages world wide, regardless if they are legally recognised or not.

æ: Is there any difference between same-sex and opposite-sex marriage ceremonies?

Rev. Wilson: The differences depend very much on the couple. Some straight couples choose to have very non-conventional marriage ceremonies, which may be more associated with same-sex marriage ceremonies, and vice-versa. One difference between MCC’s belief regarding marriage and those held by more traditional congregation is that we believe marriage should not be compulsory. One should not have to marry to be sexually active.

æ: Many of the most conservative churches are in Asia or in Asian communities overseas. What’s your opinion of this phenomenon?

Rev. Wilson: It has partly to do with the history of colonialism. Christianity was brought to Asia by missionaries following the footsteps of Western colonialists. Therefore Christianity in Asia has a very authoritative traditional character. Whereas many churches in the West have became more open and less authoritative, churches in Asia have lagged behind. But that’s slowly changing. On this visit, I have visited some gay Christian groups on the mainland, as well as the Blessed Minority Christian Fellowship in Hong Kong. They seem to be growing from strength to strength. The MCC itself has a very out and successful ministry in the Philippines.

æ: Many churches believe that the Bible expressly prohibits sex between two people of the same sex. What is your response to that claim?

Rev. Wilson: That is a very outdated view of the Bible. I believe that people in the biblical times did not have a good understanding of sexual identities. They saw it as a choice. We now know that there is no choice. The Bible also supported slavery and the oppression of women. No one would agree with that today! So we have to look at the Bible critically and in context. To me, the essence of the Bible is to love God, love your neighbours, and don’t judge. It is wrong to use the Bible as a weapon to exclude people. 

æ: About yourself, how did you found your way to becoming a church leader?

Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson

Rev. Wilson: I knew I wanted to be a minister since I was 12 or 13. Back then it was impossible for a woman to become minister in the Methodist church. When women were finally allowed to be ministers, I went to seminary in Boston. Then I found out that I was lesbian, and so could not become a minister! Fortunately I found my way to the MCC when it was four years old, and have been serving in the church since then. My parents were at first worried about me being a lesbian minister. But they slowly opened up. My mother now lives with me and my partner Paula, and is supportive. Paula’s mother comes to the MCC, and has even marched on the 25th anniversary of Stonewall! 

æ: What have you been doing in China this July?

Rev. Wilson: I went to a lesbian cruise on the Yangtze River with Olivia, a lesbian travel company. There were 250 lesbians on the cruise, and our ship had a rainbow flag on its stern. At first the tour guides and the crew on the ship didn’t know what to expect, but at the end they said they only want to do lesbian cruises from now on, because it was so much fun!

For more information on the Metropolitan Community Church, visit Mccchurch.org

读者回应

1. 2011-07-21 22:37  
The MCC is regarded as a fringe independent group by the mainstream and rejected as 'unorthodox'. Then again, I recall reading on Jesus himself who was a non-conformist and died a branded 'criminal' as far as the religious authorities of that time were concerned... hmmm lol


2. 2011-07-22 11:16  
The term "homosexual" or the notion of it did not exist during the Biblical times or when the Bible was written. Branding "homosexuality" as a sin is but the interpretation of the founders and leaders of the "Church". The entire teaching of the Bible can be summarized in one word "Love"... love thy neighbor as thyself, love and obey your parents, love your enimies, and love God above all. So why are most of the churches interpreting love with sexual classifications? God did not!!! Can we not love each other without having to identify sexuality? King David and Jonathan fell in love with each other instantly. Whether they had sex or not is beside the point. Sex is but an intimate expression of love, so is hugging and kissing. So why can't people express love freely when they feel it? The phrase in the Bible "Go and Multiply" has been used by the church to counter sexual relationship with the same sex. Does this also mean that celebacy or birth control is a sin? Well, if interpretations are getting to be too complicated, maybe we should just stick to the basics: "The Ten Commandments". Try finding amongst the ten something about homosexuality as a sin. There's none. But of course, it is impossible to carry out all the ten commandments so that's why we have the New Testament. Again, it's all about love and the forgiveness of "sin" as exemplified by the "Greatest Love", nothing about homosexuality though.

修改於2011-07-23 11:59:48
3. 2011-07-22 13:14  
'For example, we help founded a gay synagogue in Los Angeles and support a gay Muslim group in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.'

This would give the Malaysian authority good reason that the homosexual is the western support thing. Hope they (the muslim gay group )would be find in Kuala Lumpur.
4. 2011-07-22 16:30  
be an atheist .... i am one!!!
5. 2011-07-22 19:26  
as usual - just everyone try to interpret an invisible cacat's words, but was that cacat's words
6. 2011-07-23 00:27  
Personally I am no believer or pious saint; hence my decision to do away with the Christian teachings I grew up on. It would be hypocritical of me to continue saying "I am a daughter of Christ' whilst practicing the very opposite in my actions. HOWEVER, it's undeniable that SOME aspects of Christianity - and its principles - have rubbed off on me, somewhat. Love thy enemy, for example. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you...judge not lest ye be judged...and (this one's my favourite) you hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye (hahaha)...the list goes on.

Still...in NO WAY will I ever commit, or belong to any Christian denomination. Or any other organized religion. BUT if others chose to do so out of their free will, it's their decision and I respect the fact that it often involves heavy commitment and responsibility on the believer/convert's part. I only hope -or shall I say pray? - that the non-religious/atheists like me get shown mutual respect FROM the religious,too.
7. 2011-07-23 21:08  
Fear is the weapon of choice in Religion....
8. 2011-07-24 06:31  
I was born in a Christian family, in the most traditional form of Christianity. There are numerous teaching about anti gay and I have a continuous battle in me of being a Christian and being gay. However, I am still a christian, and still attending one of the strictest denomination-the baptist church! Why? U might ask, it s because it is not the church or the pastor itself that attracts me, nor just the friends I made at church, it is God himself who attracts me to him. You have to think about this beautiful world that God creates and if you appreciate the things that he has provide to you, you will follow God himself no matter what! I love my God, as he is the source of love, he is the source of protection, and he understand our weaknesses as he has been on earth as the lowest form, and has suffer the pain we have suffered. Yes u might argue jesus is not gay, and he wouldn't understand, but he is also God, and he went to people who are in need and to heal there suffer in various form. He ultimately die on the cross as an innocent man to take all our sins away. God is love, he loves us a lot like our father, he creates this world for us to enjoy, he gives u a good environment to live in, and if u go to him, he will give u guidance in ur life! I have peace, joy and comfort in him, not from church nor the sermon, it's God himself who talk to me through the bible and people and different things I experienced day to day! If u want to find peace and comfort, there is no other way but God himself. He said The world will fade away one day, but his love is eternal! He want us to be in him, and he loves us no matter who we are! Don't let people to turn u away from your father in heaven, as he wants you being his sons and daughters! Amen!!
修改於2011-07-24 06:46:10
回应#9於於2011-07-24 06:34被作者删除。
回应#10於於2011-07-25 01:30被作者删除。
11. 2011-07-25 01:32  
@ matlasses: Glad to know that you take your faith seriously..and you certainly don't shy away from showing it to the world. ;)

I'm sure by the Grace of God, you, me & everyone else on this planet will soon realize the prophecy of Revelations the coming Apocalypse will bring- that there is no other way to peace except in respecting everyone & seeing each & every individual - irregardless of social status, colour, gender, background,social status & sexual orientation- as neither inferior or superior to oneself, but in treating everyone as an EQUAL. As the great Lord Jesus himself famously said - Love thy neighbour as you haveth loved yourself.
That's the beauty of the Gospel. ;)
12. 2011-07-25 18:28  
I wish for a world where people didn't believe in invisible sky gods. They're all imaginary, folks. Just like the Roman and Greek gods, the Egyptian gods, the Mayan gods, the Aztec gods... doesn't matter the religion, the god is fictional. Religions exist to control people. Gods were historically invented to explain things man didn't understand.

The only reason people believe this nonsense is because they're indoctrinated as children and simply absorb the dominant religion of their culture. Matlases' post confirms this in his first sentence: "I was born in a Christian family." There you go. Had he been born into a Muslim family, he'd likely adhere to that religion just as strongly. Same for Buddhism, Judaism, whatever.

It's all fiction, and the world suffers greatly because of people's religious beliefs. If you ever have to choose between who you ARE, and what you BELIEVE, I hope that choice is clear. One is real, the other is imaginary.
13. 2011-07-25 20:39  
I do agree with chadm252 in some points but disagree very much in two basic points: 1) You are not born into a religion. Even if your family is Christian or Buddhist or Judaism, or Islam, that doesn't make you one. Religion or belief is not by birth but by faith + reasoning + practice.
2) Even if I am a Christian, I respect the atheists. In fact I think "atheism" is also a belief - a belief that there is no god but the "self". Let's not dwell into the topic of "self". It will take forever. So dear 252, I hope you also respect those who have faith in their own beliefs and not blame variouls religions for the troubles of the world. You sound bitter. Did you have a bad experience? Perhaps you need lots of love to sweeten you up a little. Cheers!
14. 2011-07-25 21:39  
Matlases - u wrote so well about the love of God
bet u experience His love daily!
It is sad that gay has to give up God because he did not understand Christ's love and sacrifice.
15. 2011-07-31 01:21  
The bible is simply an ancient text of a semi-nomadic tribal people who lived in the middle east a couple thousand years ago, and it borrowed heavily from the much older cultures of ancient Egypt.
Christianity is a primitive and superstitious tradition that requires suspension of rational thought.
I only can wish that my gay brothers and sisters could all see the folly of suffering from its mindless ideas.
16. 2011-08-03 04:02  
The mainstream view of Christians is still anti-gay, and anti-gay groups are mainly religiously motivated (Chritians and Muslims).
Sometimes the brave thing to do is let go of ideologies that undermines you
and develop a new healthy humanism free from very stained past.
Why hold on to a religion that rejects your very being?
17. 2011-09-03 04:10  
#16: Well said and totally in agreement with you! :)
18. 2012-03-12 11:14  
May i know any lesbian or gay church in kuala lumpur?

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