Questions People Actually Ask

No. Sin is whatever separates us from God and keeps us from loving our neighbors. Being gay does none of those things. What does? Bullying. Being hateful toward other people. The kind of self-righteous certainty that puts itself in the place of God. Being gay is not a sin.

Jesus said the same thing about gay people that he said about every person: God loves you, and you are called to walk in love with God and with each other. He spoke at length about welcoming strangers, embracing those on the margins, and refusing to judge your neighbor. He never spoke about sexual orientation.

The handful of passages people cite address specific acts — cultic prostitution, gang rape, exploitation — in specific ancient contexts. They have nothing to do with sexual orientation as we understand it today. The church has a long history of misreading Scripture to justify exclusion. That history should make us humble, not confident.

We believe the same Spirit who guided the church to correct its misuse of the Bible to endorse slavery and subordinate women is guiding the church now.

No. There is a broad scientific consensus that sexual orientation is not chosen. What we do choose is how to live — with integrity, honesty, and love. We extend that freedom to every person and ask others to do the same.

In the same place every person fits: at the center of God's love and care. We affirm the full dignity and humanity of transgender people, and we welcome them fully into the life and leadership of this congregation.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning — with the "+" acknowledging everyone the acronym doesn't fully capture. You may also encounter LGBTQIA, where the "I" represents intersex and "A" represents asexual. The language continues to evolve as our collective understanding deepens.

What doesn't change: whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself, there is a place for you here.

Of course, people hold different views — and the church has always had room for sincere theological disagreement. What we don't believe is that theological difference justifies exclusion from community, dignity, or belonging. The constitutional right to practice one's religion has never included the right to impose it on others or to use it as a basis for discrimination.

No. Conversion therapy is harmful — psychologically, spiritually, and relationally. The American Psychological Association and every mainstream medical and psychiatric body have condemned it. Sexual orientation is not a spiritual problem to be solved. We believe what needs healing is not a person's identity but the fear and prejudice that has told them something is wrong with who they are.

We are a Matthew 25 congregation — a designation within the PCUSA that calls churches to dismantle structural racism, eradicate systemic poverty, and build congregational vitality. That commitment to the vulnerable and the marginalized isn't separate from our welcome of LGBTQ+ people; it's the same impulse. LGBTQ+ people are welcomed into membership and leadership here, and we keep working to make that welcome real, not just stated.

We know that words are easy. We invite you to come and see.

That's completely understandable. Many people who find their way to MOPC carry real wounds from other religious communities. You don't have to have it figured out to show up here. Reach out to us directly — there's no test to pass and nothing to prove.

1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture

A documentary exploring how a single mistranslation in the 1946 Revised Standard Version of the Bible introduced the word "homosexual" into Scripture — and the profound consequences that followed.

For the Bible Tells Me So

Through the experiences of five Christian American families — including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson — this film explores how people of faith handle the reality of having a gay child. Featuring voices from Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg, and Reverend Jimmy Creech.

Love Free or Die

The story of Gene Robinson — the first openly gay person to become a bishop in the historic traditions of Christendom. His consecration in 2003 caused an international stir, and he has lived with death threats ever since.

Out in the Silence

A documentary using the story of a small American town confronting the controversy ignited by a same-sex wedding announcement — illustrating the challenge of being an outsider in a conservative environment and catalyzing new ways of making support available for those working for change.

Through My Eyes

A 46-minute documentary intertwining the stories of over two dozen young Christians as they wrestle with issues of faith and sexuality — thought-provoking material for Christians across the spectrum of this conversation.

Voices of Witness: Out of the Box

A groundbreaking documentary giving voice to the witness of transgender people of faith — ultimately a celebration of hope and the power of God's love to transcend seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

In Our Fullness: Faith and Activism Across Difference

A documentary presenting conversations with activists about faith-based work for radical social change around sexuality, gender, race, class, and age — featuring testimonies from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Native spirituality perspectives.

Books

Additional films and resources can be found at WelcomingResources.org.