Editing Metropolitan Community Church (section)

== Beliefs and practices ==
[[File:BaptismMCC.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Infant baptism in an MCC church]]
{{Christianity and sexual orientation}}

MCC bases its [[Christian theology|theology]] on the [[Christian creeds|historic creeds]] of the Christian Church, such as [[Apostles' Creed|Apostles']] and [[Nicene Creed|Nicene]] creeds. Every church is required to celebrate the [[Eucharist]] at least once a week, and to practice [[open communion]], meaning that recipients need not be a member of the MCC or any other church to receive the [[Eucharist]]. Beyond that MCC allows its member churches independence in [[Christian doctrine|doctrine]], practice, and [[Christian worship|worship]] as worship styles vary from church to church. The MCC is considered to be Bible-based<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NHt0DwAAQBAJ&dq=metropolitan+community+bible+church&pg=PT219 | isbn=9781317790457 | title=Queer Kids: The Challenges and Promise for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth | date=24 October 2018 | publisher=Routledge }}</ref> and many pastors take a fundamentalist approach to scripture.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YrXOCwAAQBAJ&dq=metropolitan+community+church+fundamentalist&pg=PA229 | isbn=9781317368151 | title=Encyclopedia of Homosexuality: Volume I | date=22 March 2016 | publisher=Routledge }}</ref>

MCC sees its mission being social as well as spiritual by standing up for the rights of minorities, particularly those of [[lesbian]], [[gay]], [[bisexual]], and [[transgender]] ([[LGBTQ]]) people. MCC has been a leading force in the development of [[queer theology]].<ref>Edward R. Gray, ''Gay religion By Scott Thumma'',  Alta Mira Press, 2005</ref>

Many local churches are also involved with other national and international campaigns, including [[Trade Justice]]<ref>E.g., MCC of North London: see [http://www.christianstogethercamden.org.uk/content/pages/documents/1185398730.doc "Camden Churches Fairtrade Directory July 2007"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008140724/http://www.christianstogethercamden.org.uk/content/pages/documents/1185398730.doc |date=2011-10-08 }}, retrieved October 2009</ref>{{Update after|2010|11}} and [[Make Poverty History]].

[[File: CommunionMCC.JPG|thumb| Communion at All God's Children MCC in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US]]

The MCC supports [[same-sex marriage]], and has performed the first church-based weddings for same-sex couples in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite news|title=First church wedding for gay couple is held in UK|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/14/first-church-wedding-gay-couple-uk|access-date=22 July 2015 |agency=[[Press Association]] |work=[[The Guardian]]|date=14 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722230609/http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/14/first-church-wedding-gay-couple-uk|archive-date=22 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> MCC's founder, [[Troy Perry]], performed the first public same-sex marriage in the United States in [[Huntington Park, California]], in 1969. In 1970, he filed the first lawsuit in the US seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriages. Perry lost that lawsuit but launched the debate over marriage equality in the US. Today, MCC congregations around the world perform more than 6000 same-sex union/marriage ceremonies annually.

[[Brent Hawkes]] and the [[Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto]] were key players in the legal action that ultimately brought same-sex marriage to Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontariocourts.on.ca/decisions/2003/june/halpernC39172.htm |title=Copy of the Court's Decision |publisher=Ontario Courts |access-date=2014-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031004526/http://www.ontariocourts.on.ca/decisions/2003/june/halpernC39172.htm |archive-date=2013-10-31 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A notable aspect of MCC's theology is its position on [[homosexuality and Christianity]], where it fully embraces and welcomes LGBT people. Indeed, the majority of members are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, with many clergy being openly LGBT. MCC fully affirms the ministry of both men and women, seeing them as equal, and the past election of [[Nancy Wilson (religious leader)|Nancy Wilson]] as [[Chairman|Moderator]] makes MCC one of a small number of communions with female senior leadership.<ref>[http://www.mccchurch.org/Content/NavigationMenu/AboutUs/BoardandTeamListings/BoardofElders/BOEMembers/BOE_Members.htm List MCC Board of Elders as of 16 October 2009]{{dead link|date=January 2014}}</ref> The MCC also believes that abortion should be legal.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mccchurch.org/statement-on-reproductive-justice-by-the-mcc-council-of-elders/ | title=Statement on Reproductive Justice by the MCC Council of Elders – Metropolitan Community Churches }}</ref>

In 2016, a new statement of faith<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mccchurch.org/download/core_documents/MCCCD-Statement-of-Faith-July-2016.pdf|title=Core Documents of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches: MCC Statement of Faith|last=Metropolitan Community Churches|date=July 5, 2016|website=Metropolitan Community Churches|access-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910004114/http://mccchurch.org/download/core_documents/MCCCD-Statement-of-Faith-July-2016.pdf|archive-date=10 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> was passed, almost unanimously, and was adopted at the 26th General Conference in Victoria, British Columbia. It is now considered one of the core documents of MCC, separate from its bylaws, as it is part of MCC formation and identity, but not part of its governance policies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mccchurch.org/mcccd/|title=MCC Core Documents|last=Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches|date=2016|website=Metropolitan Community Churches|access-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810041019/http://mccchurch.org/mcccd/|archive-date=10 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>