JUNE 13, 2008 justputlai
step into an MCC and see things that remind you
of your childhood upbringing, the way commu
nion is celebrated, certain hymns or songs that
may be sung. Some of the exterior trappings of
MCC may be reminiscent.
SMB: As many churches become “open and
affirming” to sexual minorities, what makes
MCC still relevant?
NM: As much as we’d like to believe it’s not
the case, church is still one of the few places that
gay and lesbian people are excluded. I think for
many more years to come, MCC still has to be
faithful to its calling to be a spiritual home for
those who’ve been rejected based upon their gen
der and sexual identity. One of the things that
MCC has been talking about the last couple of
years is understanding ourselves as a movement
with a church, not a church with a movement.
An example would be what’s happening in East
ern Europe with MCC. Queer people in Eastern
Europe have contacted MCC primarily not to
help them plant churches, but to actually help
them in providing spiritual, visible leadership to
queer mobilization in their contexts.
The Rev. Nathan Meckiey recalls his first MCC
service as feeling “like I had gone to church for
the first time in my life."
tuesdayjune 17th 6pm-cio
© Vault Martini Lounge / No Cover, Drink proceeds to Basic Rights Oregon
/ 226 nw 1 » Pomona or «raw
extended to other people is unjust.” Injustice is a
spiritual problem, and therefore we need to con
front it wherever we see it.
SMB: Are you concerned about the financial
health of MCC Portland?
NM: Oh, yeah, yeah. 1 would say that’s one
of the biggest immediate concerns I have. And
we talked about it during my candidacy. The
search team and the board were very candid
with me...so when it comes to acting quickly on
something, that’s something that has to be acted
very quickly upon.
SMB: How healthy is MCC?
NM: MCC was one of the fastest-growing
churches in the ’70s and ’80s. I mean, really as
tronomically. And then also along the arc of [the]
HIV/AIDS [pandemic], so much of the energy
and focus in the ’80s was addressing that—so 1
do think that the exponential growth slowed at
that point. We also moved into a period of time
that was kind of institutionalizing the church,
and I think that through the ’90s we began to
feel the pinch of that. Now, while MCC contin
ues in North America a steady but relatively slow
growth profile, as a denomination we’re growing
most quickly outside of North America: We’re
growing very quickly in Latin America, in Africa,
in Eastern Europe.
SMB: How much of your job here will be as
chief fund-raiser?
NM: The pastor always has a central role in as
suring financial health, as a pastor rightly should.
The big picture is financial health, and that com
prehensive piece is what we need to attend to.
SMB: How will you define success during
your tenure at MCC Portland?
NM: Faithfulness. I certainly personally un
derstand success when 1 recognize that I’m be
ing faithful, as opposed to popular or lucrative or
whatever.
SMB: The Rev. Troy Perry performed one
of the first same-sex marriages in 1969, and it
seems that MCC has been at the forefront of
conversations and activism about same-sex
unions. What is the church’s role in pushing
the movement forward?
NM: 1 think MCC is in a unique position
because of its history to be one of the religious
voices that says, “To deny anyone a right that is
SMB: Do you see a need to grow the MCC
congregation?
NM: It matters. Size does matter, to the de
gree that it enhances our ability to make a dif
ference in people’s lives. Small churches can do
some things very well, even better than large
churches. But I do think that, certainly in a set
ting like Portland, a larger MCC can have great
value to the community. O
*
in LeFevre,LMT
Deep Tissue
• FOOP
• FLOWERS
• OAKES
• PHOTOGRAPHY
MOBILE PJ
EVENT PLANNING
VENUE
One call we do it all...
www.ItsPartyTimeCatering.net (503)628-3616
Flowers by Mary Beth Bartel: (503) 203-8652
If I Love You Unconditionally, Will You Love Me Back?
2224 NE Alberta St
all natural pet foods, treats
(Alberto Arts District)
503*249-6571
and remedies. They're what
Southeast Portland
I need to build a long,
1402-A SE 39th
happy, healthy relationship.
503-236-8036
(at Hawthorne)
XXJTHWeSJ rOntOnq
7642 SW Capitol Hy.
(Multnomah Village)
971-222-2686
Visit our booth at Pride!
Online
A Proud Member of the Community for 10 Years
Home & Loan Confidence
L isa C hemarin
Oregon Realty, Broker*
Office 503-297-2523
Direct 503-407-3571
www.oregonreaky.com/LisaChemarin
*Also Licensed in Washington
J ennifer S antoro
Intuitive
Readings
Platinum Mortgage Group, Inc.
Senior Mortgage Broker
Office 503.620.0715
Direct 503.890.5965
www.oregonloan.net
erin.lefevre.lmt.@mac.com
Locate^or^N^Broadwa^^Portland^O^^
wwwihealthypetsnw.com
Let us do the work for you.
Sports Massage
Pregnancy
Massage
971-506-2279
Northeast Portland
Show me that you really care with
Trigger Point
B zillion D oliar Producer
INNOVATIVE
I ngenuity
wMucmNG UXVWQM» i.c.
reg®
P latinum M ortgage
G roup , inc .
Available when you are!