The Expectations of Members and Leaders
New Light MCC Mission Statement:
New Light Metropolitan Community Church offers a safe space for worship, learning,
and fellowship; balancing the needs of mind, body, and spirit..
Core Values:
We are a Christ centered, diverse, and affirming community that is scripture based and believes:
In balancing the needs of mind, body, and spirit; In love and relationships; In tithing, shared
responsibility, and social based activism; In support and outreach.
We agree that God loves everyone equally and all are accepted at Christ’s table.
The MCC Hagerstown Membership Covenant
Having received Jesus as my Lord and savior, being baptized and being in agreement with MCC Hagerstown’s
statements1, strategy and structure I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite myself with the MCC Hagerstown
church family. In doing so I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:
1:
I will protect the unity of the Church
by acting in love towards other members
by refusing to gossip
by prayerfully following the leaders
by dealing directly with anyone with whom I have a concern.
So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of our fellowship together.
Romans 14:19
Have a sincere love for other believers, love one another earnestly with all your heart.
I Peter 1:22
Do not any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up
according to their needs.
Ephesians 4:29
Follow your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as people who must give an
account. Follow them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no advantage to you.
Hebrews 13:17
If your brother or sister sins against you, go and show him or her the fault, just between the two of you…..
St. Matthew 18:15
2:
I will share the responsibility of my church
by praying for its growth
by inviting the un-churched to attend
by warmly welcoming our guests.
1
The only statement we currently have is the Direct Dealing policy which is printed at the end of this document
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To the church, we always thank God for you and pray for you constantly
I Thessalonians 1: 1-2
The Master said to the servant, “Go out to the roads and country lanes, and urge the people to come so my
house will be full.
St. Luke 14:23
So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has welcomed you; then God will be glorified.
Romans 15:7
3:
I will serve the ministry of my church
by discovering my gifts and talents
by being equipped to serve by the pastor
by developing a servant’s heart
Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you.
I Peter 4:10
God gave some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of
Christ may be built up.
Ephesians 4: 11-12
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should
be the same of Christ Jesus: Who took on the very nature of a servant.
Philippians 2: 3-4, 7
4:
I will support the outreach of my church by
by attending faithfully
by living a godly life
by giving regularly
Let us not give up meeting together but let us encourage one another.
Hebrews 10:25
Whatever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Philippians 1:27
Each one of you, on the first day of the week, should set aside a specific sum of money in proportion to what you
have earned, and use it for the offering.
I Corinthians 16:2
A tenth of all your produce is the Lord’s and is holy.
Leviticus 27:30
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Explanation of the Covenant
Many people come to MCC looking for a number of things. Some come to make new friends, others
come to experience a gay-affirming church, some come to find release from the problems and pain of
life whilst others are not very sure why they come! Whatever reason people come along for, we want
them to stay for one reason - that they find this a place where they can become better disciples of
Jesus.
There are various layers of involvement in MCC.
Community – un-churched people
Crowd – Regular Attendees
Congregation – Members
Committed – Maturing Members
Core – Lay Ministers, Board Members,
and ministry leaders
We expect different things of people at different stages of their involvement. It is clear that in any
church there are people who are at different places in their journey of discipleship and MCC is no
exception.
The Community
These are the people who have some contact with us. They might come for a blessing of relationship,
an infant dedication, they may come to a service in the Park or they may come a couple of times a
year to us. They are “un-churched” and are the fishing pool from whom we need to learn to become
more effective “fishers of men and women”.
The Crowd
These are the people who attend fairly regularly but have not yet made a commitment to the work of
God in our church. Jesus always drew a crowd who were amazed at this teaching and from whom
he drew his closest followers.
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The Congregation
These are the people who have made a commitment to Jesus to be worked out in our church; this
group should be synonymous with our membership. Hence the level of commitment we require
from members.
The Committed
These are the people who are seeking to journey with Jesus as committed disciples. They are
learning that the hallmarks of Christian maturity involve daily prayer, tithing and being an example
to others. These people would be active in some form of team.
The Core
These are the people whose Christian maturity has manifested itself in lay ministry. These people
would be the Lay leaders, leaders of ministry teams, board member, or in other positions of
leadership. Much is expected of them.
The Commitment of Members
The ministry and mission of our church is too vital for members to see us as nothing more than a
social club or nothing more than a gay Christian pressure group. Whilst it is true that we enjoy good
relationships with each other and whilst we do offer a safe place for, amongst others, lesbian and gay
Christians, neither of these are the purpose of our life together. Our purpose is to be a Christ
centered Church reaching out to people with the love of Jesus and inviting them to explore a lively
expression of faith. In MCC members elect the Board who help lead the church, members set the
budget and have the responsibility to elect a pastor. Members have the final say on the removal of a
pastor from office too. For these reasons we have made our expectations of members high so that we
can trust our life together is founded on the principles of the Gospel.
Protecting the Unity of the Church
Jesus describes Christians as being sheep. This is because we are easily led! Bad news is often so
much more interesting than good news and over the course of its 2000 year history, the Church has
had to deal with splits, rows and division. This is not what Jesus intends for His Church. In order to
protect the unity that belongs to the Church - from our relationship with Jesus - there are simple
things we can do - act in love towards each other, refuse to gossip about each other, prayerfully
follow the leaders who have been raised up to serve this congregation and to deal directly with
anyone with whom we have a concern. The Biblical basis for each of these expectations is given in
the covenant.
To prayerfully follow the leaders does not mean to obey unquestionably - to do that would be to
become cult-like. However, if we believe that God has raised up the leaders of this congregation then
we need to prayerfully follow the lead they give. If we cannot, in good conscience do this then we
need to speak to them and explore any areas of difference and difficulty.
To Share Responsibility for the Church
The work of the Church is set by Jesus at the end of St. Matthew's Gospel "Go, therefore, to all nations
and make disciples of them, baptizing them…." This is not the task of the pastor or the Board alone,
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but the task of all members. We do this by praying for the growth of the church, by inviting unchurched friends of ours to come along, and by warmly welcoming guests who do attend so that they
feel welcome and want to come back. Becoming a member is when you remove the bib and put on
the apron!
To Serve the Ministry of The Church
The ministry of the Church is what we do to help make disciples. Again it is a task we all share by
discovering our gifts and talents.
Many people have very different ideas about what a ‘Minister’ should do. For some a ‘Pastor’ is a
sort of personal chaplain who looks after their needs, visits when they are sick, prays for them and
acts as an unpaid counselor. For others the ‘Priest’ is the one who offers sacrifices for them and leads
them. For yet others the minister is a sort of enabler who helps people decide what they want to do.
Whilst all these things have elements of truth about them, the Biblical idea of a pastor is one who
"equips the saints for service". The task of the pastor, therefore, is to encourage the rest of us to
develop our gifts and skills and to use those gifts in service of others.
Supporting the Outreach of the Church
The Church is continually reaching out to hurting vulnerable people, inviting them to let Jesus into
the lives as it knows that Jesus can change and save lives. We do this by attending worship
faithfully, by living a godly - or morally mature life - and by giving regularly. We give because God
knows it is good for us. Giving is the only antidote to the poison of consumerism which saps our
souls.
The Benefits of Church Membership
It identifies one as a genuine believer.
The Bible sees believers as part of a fellowship. One cannot be a believer in isolation from
other believers.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God’s people and
members of God’s household.
Ephesians 2:19
So in Christ, we who are many, form one body and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:5
It provides me with a spiritual community to support and encourage me in my journey
through life with Jesus.
At times life becomes difficult and we need the friendship, encouragement and support of
people who share our faith.
Friends, if someone is caught in sin, you who are spiritual should restore that person gently. But watch
yourself or you may also be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law
of Christ.
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Galatians 6: 1-2
And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up
the habit of meting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another …….
Hebrews 10: 24-25
It gives me a place to discover and use my gifts in ministry.
The Holy Spirit has given us all gifts and skills which are designed to be used within the
Church. As members of the Church we discover those gifts and skills and find we are drawn
into an adventure of faith and spirituality.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same
Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God who works all of them in all. Now to each
one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
I Corinthians 12: 4-7
It places me under the spiritual protection of godly leaders.
The Bible describes clergy as "shepherds" one of the tasks of the shepherd was to protect the
sheep from the wolves who wanted to devour them. As shepherds pastors have the
responsibility to lead the sheep where God leads them, to watch out for anything which
would seek to destroy the sheep and to account for the sheep to God.
Follow your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as people who must give
an account. Follow them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no
advantage to you.
Hebrews 13:17
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be
shepherds of the Church of God, which God brought with Jesus’ own blood. I know that after I leave,
savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
Acts 20:28-29
It gives me the accountability I need to grow
If left to ourselves we find our consciences become weak. By being in a body of believers we
find that our consciences remain sharp and we find that as the hard edges are knocked off us
we are challenged and we grow as people and as spiritual beings.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:21
Expectations of Leaders in MCC
There are many different types of leaders within MCC. Clergy are leaders, so are Board members
and Lay Delegates, as are lay ministers and team leaders. We have a right to expect the highest
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possible standards from those who lead. No one has to be a leader, but we have the right to expect
the best of those who are raised up. In MCC we expect leaders to be active Members who are
striving to:
fulfill their membership vows
accept corporate responsibility
exemplify positive faith
deal directly with those whom they disagree
grow spiritually as disciples of Jesus
pray for the Pastor, Board members and other leaders
live morally mature lives
agree to be mutually accountable to other Board members
agree to maintain appropriate confidentiality as defined by the Board
pledge to become aware of and respect appropriate boundaries
How MCC Works
Introduction
All churches and religious groups have evolved ways of working which help to further their mission
and ministry. MCC Hagerstown is no different. In order for us to achieve the mission that God has
called us to we have developed a few structures to help us work more effectively. This section of the
membership booklet is designed to highlight those structures so that we can see, at a glance, how our
congregation works.
Pastor
Pastors are members of the people of God who feel called by God to serve as professional ministers
of the word and sacrament. The wider church has recognized the call of God upon their lives and
upholds them as preachers and teachers of the faith to the end that the world may believe and the
Church might be renewed, equipped and strengthened in its ministry.
Pastors are elected by local congregations to be preachers, teachers and spiritual leaders. Their main
work is to equip Christians for the service of God in the world. They are responsible for the final
design and implementation all worship and also have the responsibility to ensure there is an
adequate provision of pastoral care to members and attendees of the church. Pastors serve as
personnel directors of local churches and, with the Board of Directors, determine the title, role,
responsibility and compensation of any assistant pastors.
The average full time salary for a newly ordained Pastor in Hagerstown has been determined by to
be $45,000 p.a.* before local and national taxes are deducted. In addition to this local congregations
are expected, where possible, to provide healthcare and dental coverage, a fully funded parsonage
local to the parish, and the day to day expenses incurred as a part of their contracted work or to
attend denominational business meetings and conferences. Obviously salary is dependant upon the
budget of the local church and is wholly reliant upon the funding received from church members.
* wwww.payscale.com
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Pastors of all Metropolitan Community Churches are elected by the congregation to serve until they
either resign or are removed by a majority vote of the congregation (following a process involving
the Regional Elder). Pastors have to be chosen from the ranks of MCC clergy and uphold a rigorous
code of ethics. Pastors can only be removed from office by a vote of the congregation following a
process of conflict resolution as outlined in both our local constitution and the Fellowship By Laws.
The Pastor is required to keep the Code of Conduct for clergy as well as to meet the expectations for
leaders within MCC Hagerstown.
Lay Delegate
Every two years MCC congregations elect a member to serve as the lay delegate for every 100
members of the church. Lay Delegates are elected to represent the congregation at business meetings
of the denomination. Because Lay Delegates have to vote on behalf of their congregations, it is
appropriate that they are kept informed of denominational business. Local churches strive to pay the
costs of their lay delegate to attend denominational conferences but it is not always possible to meet
these costs. The Lay Delegate is required to meet the expectations for leaders in MCC Hagerstown.
Teams
In MCC Hagerstown we are working towards a team based ministry model. Teams work well, can
encourage each other and have more energy than a single person working alone.
Our Pastoral team exists to offer appropriate spiritual and pastoral care to members and attendees.
Team members contact members and attendees of the congregation to ask about their spiritual needs
and to offer to pray for them. They also seek to offer a friendly ear to people when they are feeling
low, to ensure that people in hospital get visited and to make sure that people do not feel isolated.
Our Choir exists to offer the best ministry in song that is possible to God in order to enhance our
worship. They practice new pieces and help us all sing with confidence in worship.
We are also developing other teams which will exist to prepare the church building for worship, to
greet us as we come into worship, and to help us befriend each other and enjoy spending social time
with each other.
Team Leaders are required to meet the expectations for leadership in MCC Hagerstown.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors are the trustees of the church. They have responsibility for all matters that
pertain to our standing as a church and our own operating procedures, for church property and for
the physical and financial affairs of the church. They are responsible for collecting and disbursing
funds, keeping adequate church records and making reports to the General Meetings of Members
and to the wider denomination. The pastor serves as a member, and moderator, of the Board of
Directors. They also have a responsibility to act on any complaints made against members of the
church and to regularly review the roll of members of the church to ensure that the membership list
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is a realistic reflection of those who actually attend worship regularly. Board members are required
to meet the expectations for leadership in MCC Hagerstown. Board members can be removed by a
vote of the entire Board. Such a vote can be initiated by a complaint signed by 55% of the active
members of the Church. The decision of the Board can be appealed to a General Meeting of the
Church.
General Meetings of Members
Each year in October there is an Annual General Meeting of members of the church. This meeting
elects members of the Board, receives reports from office holders, and sets a budget. Special General
Meetings of the congregation may be called by the Pastor or the Board or by a petition of 55% of the
active members of the church. General Meetings are often asked to debate issues of great importance
for the church - such as definitions of Core Values, Vision and Mission.
Direct Dealing
Our congregation values honesty and integrity. We think it is better to deal directly with another if
we have a problem with them, rather than involve other people who are not directly concerned!
From time to time, as in all communities, we come across problems in our common life together.
When this happens we find most situations are cleared up quickly and speedily through dealing
directly and honestly with each other. If a problem cannot be cleared up informally, the Board of
Directors might set up a more formal process which might involve a member or attendee being asked
to consider how their behavior is affecting others and undertaking to behave in a mature, responsible
and spiritual manner. Please see a copy of our handout Direct Dealing and the appendix below.
Appendix 1: Direct Dealing
A guide to solving problems in MCC Hagerstown
1. Context
1.1 The mission and ministries of all Metropolitan Community Churches are important and worth
safeguarding. Our denomination saves lives. There are numerous recorded cases in which people
who felt their lives were no longer worth living have gained self-esteem, self-worth and a new
freedom by receiving the unconditional love of Jesus at the hands of folk from a Metropolitan
Community Church.
1.2 We in the Hagerstown church recognize that many of those who come through our doors have
journeyed through experiences of pain, rejection, abuse and self-loathing: not through any fault of
their own, but as a result of what society, or other groups, or other individuals have done to them.
Above all, they are vulnerable. This booklet explains how our church interprets its responsibilities to
those people - because "they" are "us".
2. A Safe Place
2.1 Whenever people mix together in community, situations occasionally arise which require some
form of mediation, or in which actions need to be challenged. From our own experience, this church
has found that early, honest and direct responses to difficulties between folk invariably help to avoid
deep-seated conflict at a later stage.
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2.2 We believe that all who attend our church have the right to be treated with equality, to spend
their time with us in a healthy and affirming atmosphere, and to be free from any form of
disturbance or harassment. You have those rights in MCC Hagerstown; so does your neighbor. And
any actions which deny you, or your neighbor, those rights will be quickly, honestly and directly
challenged.
3. Mechanisms
3.1 There are various sets of formal regulations and codes of conduct which apply in certain cases to
certain people. There are also local policies which the Board of Directors of MCC Hagerstown has
developed to cover certain eventualities. These are available from the Pastor or Secretary.
3.2 Please familiarize yourself with these formal mechanisms; but above all do remember that there
are people in church who are elected to serve you and to whom you can turn for help or advice
whenever problems arise:
The Pastor
The Lay Delegate
Any Member of the Board of Directors.
3.3 This aims to ensure that, no matter who might be involved in your problem, there is always
someone else able to take up an issue on your behalf.
4. Some typical issues
4.1 Careless talk - Any unfair criticism or malicious comments about another person can quickly
involve other folk and cause conflict throughout the congregation. Sexism, racism or any other
unjust comments around equality issues directly contravene MCC's position on inclusivity and are
unacceptable.
4.2 Alcohol and/or substance abuse - Those whose behavior in church is noticeably affected by the use
of drink or drugs are putting their neighbors in an often unpleasant and unfair situation which
impinges upon their right to a safe environment.
4.3 Cruising - Vulnerable people attending church should not be subjected to the romantic attentions
of others when they are trying to open their minds to God and share their thoughts with their fellowChristians. Also, it is damaging to both parties if some source of conflict within a casual relationship
causes one of the parties to fall away from the church as a result.
4.4 Harassment - This can include unwanted attentions of any kind and is covered by our AntiHarassment Policy.
5. Some possible responses by the church
5.1 With the sole motive of protecting those people who come to MCC Hagerstown to be safe, at
peace and in communion with God, and recognizing their needs and rights in balance with the needs
of the person(s) causing the problem, any of the following challenges might be made to a specific
situation:
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5.1.1 An informal chat with the Pastor and/or other person authorized by the Board of Directors - to indicate
that a problem exists and consider a way forward;
5.1.2 A formal interview with the Pastor and one or more Members of the Board of Directors - as a
preliminary stage in the formal consideration of the issue by the Board;
5.1.3 A written Contract of Behavior - in which an individual promises to alter his/her behavior on
various specific points;
5.1.4 Exclusion from church - temporary or permanent, which can be imposed at any time on nonmembers without right of appeal;
5.1.5 Formal cancellation of Membership - by the Board of Directors in accordance the provisions of our
constitution. Exclusion from church might follow.
6. Conclusion
6.1 This church believes that God wants our people to thrive, and that those elected by the
congregation to manage the day-to-day affairs of the church have a responsibility to create a suitable
environment for that purpose. Facing issues as they arise, holding in balance the needs and
expectations of all our people, and dealing directly, honestly and assertively with difficult situations
is both good pastoral practice, good stewardship, and firmly scriptural.
6.2 Please pray for those you elect to achieve this in your name.
Appendix 2 The Pastor
2.1 In addition to challenging a Pastor via the complaints procedure for clergy, our Constitution and
the Fellowship Bylaws provide for a Ministry of Reconciliation as the first stage in a process to deal
with apparent irreconcilable differences between the Pastor and the congregation.
2.2 Following such a ministry a process when irreconcilable differences arise between Pastor and
congregation it is possible to remove the pastor from office. This process requires either 2.2.1 the presentation to the Secretary of the Board of Directors, or, in their absence, to the Lay
Delegate, of a petition signed by at least 25% of the Members in Good Standing; or 2.2.2
A vote by 75% of the full Board Directors.
2.2.3 This will then lead to a Special Congregational Meeting within 30 days at which the only
question to be voted on shall be “Shall the Pastor remain in office?”.
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Appendix 3 The Board of Directors
3.1 The Bylaws instruct each church that it must not condone disloyalty, unbecoming conduct, or
dereliction of duty on the part of any member of the Board.
3.2 The Board, by a majority vote, may remove any of its members guilty of the above. Similarly, a
petition presented to the Board and signed by 55% of the Members in Good Standing may also
initiate such a procedure. The full process is detailed in our Constitution.
Appendix 4 Active Members
4.1 Our Constitution states that MCC cannot condone disloyalty or unbecoming conduct on the part
of any of its Members; therefore the Board is empowered to remove, by majority vote, any Member
from the rolls of the church or take such disciplinary action as it deems necessary. Upon written
request of the Member, the action of the Board may be subject to review by vote of the congregation
at its next regular business meeting or at a special meeting which may be called. Until the vote on
appeal, the disciplined Member will retain Membership.
4.2 The status of “Active” is subject to an annual review by the Board. Any Member who does not
have registered attendance, identified financial support, definite service contribution, and
demonstrated loyalty and interest within the preceding 6 months to 1 year may be removed from the
roll of Active Members and placed on a list of inactive members, and at this stage their power to vote
at any business meting is suspended. The Board will notify the Member of their “inactive” status
and that they are no longer eligible to vote at any business meeting of the church. After notification,
if the Member has not demonstrated further interest or loyalty for a period of 2 months immediately
following, the Board is empowered to drop the Member from the roll of Active Members.
Appendix 5 - Statements of MCC Hagerstown
1. Anti-harassment Policy
1.1 Definition of harassment - Behavior which threatens an individual’s feeling of safety in terms of
infringement of personal space, sexual advances, or disrespect for the diverse nature of those who
make up our congregation.
1.2 To whom do they complain? - The Pastor, or a Member of the Board of Directors, or the Lay
Delegate.
1.3 Action taken - The Pastor and one Director (plus one woman, if appropriate), or the Lay Delegate
and one Director (plus one woman, if appropriate) will talk to both parties involved in the case
within 10 days. The Board will meet within 21 days to discuss the case.
1.4 Possible sanctions - Immediate halt to the offending behavior; or exclusion/expulsion of the
offender, if a non-Member; or exclusion/expulsion of the offender if a Member (with the right of
appeal to a congregational meeting as provided for in the Bylaws).
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2. MCC Hagerstown Confidentiality Policy
Introduction:
All Christian churches provide opportunities for adherents to unburden themselves with a minister or
elder and offer a guarantee that such conversations are confidential. The most famous examples of
these are the Seal of Confession in the Catholic Church or the words spoken at the Mercy Seat in the
Salvation Army.
MCC Hagerstown recognizes that many people who are part of our life and ministry have this
expectation upon us. Our Pastoral Team exists to give support to people who come along to us, to
provide a base level of pastoral care and to nurture people in their individual journeys of
discipleship. We are not counselors, will not counsel and will make referrals to external agencies
where appropriate.
Congregational Pastoral Team
Matters with members of the Team are confidential to the Team (the pastor is a member of the team).
Matters cannot remain confidential from other members of the team. This is to stop needy people
playing differing members of the team off against each other and also to allow the Team to be fully
aware of situations as they arise within church. This is also vitally important to ensure that any
conflict does not engulf the Pastoral Nurture Team.
Team members will not keep confidential any information which indicates that the person is a
danger to self or others.
Pastor
The pastor can be expected to hold a confidence from the Team if expected. However, the pastor is
free to raise the general issue with his own mentors who are external to MCC Hagerstown.
The pastor will not keep confidential any information which indicates that the person is a danger to
self or others.
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