Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

 

Question: What kind of church is Vision of Hope MCC?

Answer: At Vision of Hope MCC, everyone is welcome regardless of theological background, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, or ability. We believe in the radically inclusive love of God through Jesus Christ. We are a Christian community preaching and teaching the inclusive love of God. We strive to be a community living our faith out-loud and not a religious organization.

Question: So, is Vision of Hope a Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) a "Gay" church; isn’t MCC the gay denomination?

Answer: The simple answer to this question is no. We are a community of faith, which shares a belief in God through Jesus Christ. We welcome and embrace people from all walks of life who seek to build and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. Our belief in a radically inclusive God involves an outreach primarily to the LGBT community.  The key for us remains that everyone is invited to Vision of Hope MCC.

        Troy Perry (a gay man) founded MCC on October 6, 1968. MCC’s original mission was to provide a spiritual home for same-gender loving people who were not welcome in other churches. However, in the last four decades MCC has continued to evolve… we’ve been the “gay church,” the “AIDS church,” the “feminist church,” and the “human rights church.” What we really are is an inclusive church that celebrates the sacred value of all people. We have gay and non-gay members and we continue to be an open, affirming, inclusive, church for anyone who chooses to call us home.

Question: What about worship at Vision of Hope MCC?

Answer:  Worship is a defining moment in the life of Vision of Hope MCC.  Since we are a diverse people and each of us experiences God in different ways, our worship is no less diverse than we are. Worship is an incredible journey in the life of Vision of Hope. New possibilities abound as we seek to come into God’s presence and experience amazing grace each week. Our worship is high energy and contemporary. We celebrate communion every time we worship. Communion is offered, making sure that everyone is invited to receive at God's Table.

Question:  Why do we include an opportunity for individual prayer each time we worship?

Answer:  Prayer is a very important part of worship here at Vision of Hope MCC. We offer a time of prayer at every service. Prayers are offered for body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Our prayer teams consist of a person who prays, a person who intercedes (prays for the person praying) and a person who catches. Scripture tells us that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 15:16).”
During our prayer time we offer prayers for people with all sorts of needs. In some cases, you may see someone become “slain in the spirit.” If you have never had this experience, it may be unsettling. Here at Vision of Hope MCC we believe that the Spirit of God moves in mysterious ways. Sometimes people fall when the Spirit of God comes upon them. A catcher stands behind them to prevent injury. And…sometimes, the Spirit of God falls upon us and we do not fall. Either way, God is moving within us and though us.

Question: What does the Bible really say about homosexuality?

Answer:  The real answer is the Bible does not speak to homosexuality as we know it today. We invite you to look our detailed response to this question on the pages titled "The Bible and Homosexuality" which you can find by clicking on the navigation bar above; or please ask Pastor Deb a question. We would love to share with you what we have learned as we have studied the scripture on this subject.