Ward leaves MCC after nine months
Metropolitan Community Church pastor the Reverend Gavin Ward will serve his last day on January 31. Ward will leave the gay and lesbian-positive church after just nine months of service.
He remained tight-lipped about the reason for his decision, but the internal politics of the organisation — which led to a split in 2008, with a number of congregants moving to the new Crave church started by the Reverend Karl Hand — may have something to do with it.
“I just felt that the fit at MCC Sydney wasn’t working for me, and it was time to move on,” Ward said. “I find it very sad, because I started with quite high hopes.
“I don’t hold any grudges against anyone there. There are certainly plenty of lovely people at the church. I just felt for myself it wasn’t working and I would be better off somewhere else, and that they would be better off with someone else as well.”
He assured congregants that services would continue.
“I’ve spent January working with the church to make sure it can continue and function when I’m not there — strategic things to ensure that the services are going to be covered and that the doors are going to stay open.
“The church is certainly still going to be in a position to keep running when I do go, so people should keep coming.
“There are a lot of things that could be said, I guess, but I feel that the church is going to be left in a position where it is viable for the future.
“It is a healthy place and encouraging for a new pastor. I don’t think it’s a failed church or a failed cause or anything like that. I see MCC very much as having a valid ministry.”
The MCC board will begin a search for a replacement pastor.
In life we try to learn about tolerance, acceptance of others life choices, forgiveness, compassion, and to transition through the hard times,learning from these. -These are but a few of the things Christ teaches us, just as in any faith – One’ asks: What can be learned from this so that we might walk through life -to grow, to be better loving people? MCC Sydney has a dynamic leadership team & supportive Board – and hand-in-hand we now ‘look forward’ to an very exciting year ahead as a Congregation. We are adapting to the choice of Reverand Gavin Ward, we respect his need to change direction. Pointing fingers, helps no one, it only feeds negativity instead of positive creative change & understanding Love. Thus, we at MCC – a church of diversity, now look forward – to 2010,towards a future of positive spiritual growth. We have an exciting year planned already -new guest speakers and a supportive team to match -which all means a smooth transition. To sum it up -we are ‘moving toward the Spirit’ (-i.e., the spiritual gifts or ‘fruits’ & more), we gladly meet change head on and already there is a secure & Love-filled environment. A Church like MCC is not in a building or a Minister, it is found in the Community of diverse ‘People’, who accept each other, no matter who we are. We invite you to come along and see The Spirit of God/of Love -You will find, ‘if’ you seek!!
Ive been attending MCC Sydney for 5 years. In that time there has been many different leaders and decision makers. These people are heartfelt caring individuals doing their best. We have had two young boys come in to the church and try to pastor. Neither was ready to be a pastor and neither understood their role.
One chose to leave and start his own church. The other left because he couldn’t do the job, he didn’t fit. Its that simple. Nothing sinister or dramatic.
Be careful in judging people without facts. If you think there is something sinister or bad then come to the church, visit a board meeting. Check it out for yourself. Don’t make gossip and presumption the feeding tube to untruth.
And DavidW, are you an attendee at the church? If not, why are you demanding an answer?
I agree with DavidW statement of why the public spectacle. But i strongly disagree about the puppet and people lurking in the darkness. Either you have watched too many soapies or have listened to too much gossip.
You will find that there is probably a whole lot more to the story than meets the eye.
It sounds like the Reverend here is trying to look like he is taking moral high ground while alluding to something else. From my visits to MCC, i can say that does seem par for the course.
As to DavidW’s comment, Im sorry, but i didnt see anything fabulously talented about him.
I do stay in touch with people who still attend, and they have managed to somehow keep their faith through their hard times of what seems to me to be powerhungry ministers.
I have met Lee above (i think so from the decription) once or twice i think, and from she wrote, I can pretty much say that that encapsulates who she, and other leaders there, are. Trying to stay positive and protect people from negative rubbish talk. Like this article.
I reckon MCC has a lot to offer people. If the ministers would stop letting their giant egos get in the way!
I find BB’s comment hard to believe. And if true- so what. Imagine what you could be asked to do if you were an altar boy at virtually any Catholic church aparently.
I agree with Lee’s comment. But… why the public spectacle of the revolving door- we need an answer, it needs to stop.
I used to go to MCC about six years ago, but after being asked by several different MCC church goers if I would like to attend group sex parties I didn’t think MCC was the right church for me!
I have been attending MCC Sydney for 12 years now. My Partner & I had our Holy Union there & are now very much part of the leadership Team. My Mum & Dad are also regular attendees. We love it. It is part of our community & Family.
We are however , made up of almost every Christian faith background you can name & that can be a blessing or a difficulty for the leadership. It is difficult enough trying to satisfy the needs & expectations of the traditionalists of the Morning Service. Some have a positive Church history & want it duplicated. Others have a poor history & want nothing to look the same at MCC. The Evening Service is more conventional/pentecostal & has no experience with the style of the traditionalists.
The result can be a wonderful mix of styles & traditions that welcomes everyone. Unlike many other churches where the rules prevent the GLBTQ community from worshipping freely, MCC Sydney openly invites everyone. Even Straight people like my folks.
Gavin has done a great deal to promote & support MCC Sydney in his time with us & we hope & pray that he will continue to worship with us after January 31.He has been a part of the Family for much longer, before becoming ordained.
Sadly, columns such as this often only receive letters which portray the negative. The Church is centred on messages of acceptance & love & MCC Sydney needs the support & encouragement of the entire community whether you are a church goer or not. There is, after all, enough judgement going on outside our doors already.
There is obviously something (or someone) rotten behind the scenes- maybe they should go, instead of all these fabulous talented pastors that are going out the revolving door.
It’s like the NSW government- the puppet out the front is not able to be the decision maker, while the heavies lurk in the shadows pulling all the strings… till the puppet takes off.