OUR VISION STATEMENT: MCC Christ the Liberator... LIVING WHOLE... LIVING FULL... LIVING FREE... OUR CORE VALUES: Affirming ministry to LGBTQI People God's unconditional love for ALL people The power of transformational worship Embrace Diversity: racial, sexual, spirituality, individual journey Ability to Question Christian concepts; progressive thinking OUR MISSION STATEMENT: To offer a healing, empowering, and transformational experience while promoting a hopeful and loving journey of faith.
GOD Known by various names, even within the Judeo-Christian Scriptures, the Power and Presence that most of us call "God" is the primary focus of our worship at CTL."You shalllove the LORD your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5
JESUS MCC-CTL is a Christian Church, which means that we follow the teachings and example of Jesus of Nazareth, whom we believe to have been anointed with God's Spirit making him the "Anointed One", or "Christ". Jesus Christ is the central figure of our faith. He is, for us, the doorway to a richer experience of God. We affirm, with the Apostle Peter,"Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God." Matthew 16:16
BIBLE Scripture is read at every worship service. Additional bible study opportunities are also offered. We are very committed to studying the sacred literature of our religious tradition and finding how it is applicable to our modern lives. "Jesus [quoting Deuteronomy 8:3], said, 'It is written, humans cannot live by bread alone.'" Luke 4:4
BAPTISM We believe in "one baptism." Anyone who has been baptized by any biblical formula, at any age, with any amount of water, need not be baptized again. Those who have not been baptized and who would like to receive the sacrament of Christian Baptism can be baptized at any Sunday service. The methods we use are sprinkling (representing cleansing) or pouring (representing the outpouring of the holy Spirit/energizing Presence of God). We baptize infants, adolescents, and adults. The sooner one is initiated into the family of faith, the better."Look! There is water. What is to prevent me from being baptized?" Acts 8:37
HOLY COMMUNION We serve the Sacrament of Holy Communion at every worship service. We use unleavened bread and non-alcoholic grape juice. Everyone is invited to share in the sacrament. One need not be a member of our church or any church to receive the elements of Holy Communion. "Do this in remembrance of me." 1 Corinthians 11:24
MINISTERIAL EDUCATION Our leaders are properly trained and duly authorized. Clergy go through a rigorous process leading to ordination. Clergy candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree before entering into the process of seeking ordination. Beyond the Bachelor's degree, those who wish to become clergy must then take an accredited seminary for about two years and take a couple of extra courses that are offered by the denomination. The coursework is roughly equivalent to a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies or Theology. The Master of Divinity degree (from an accredited seminary) is the professional ministry degree and is preferred. Many parishes now require the MDiv of their ministers. Many of our clergy have Master and Doctorate degrees beyond the minimal requirements. After the academic requirements are met, students must spend a supervised internship period in a Teaching Church. Finally, candidates must pass criminal background checks, go through interviews with a Regional Committee, and finally be approved by our denomination. Clergy must then engage in 9 hours of continuing education annually."[Leaders] must be...temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness...not contentious and not greedy." 1 Timothy 3:2-3
GAY, LESBIAN, TRANSGENDER, & BISEXUAL CONCERNS We are an inclusive church with a special outreach to the LBGT community. Straight, LesBiGay, Transgender, and Questioning are all a part of our congregation. All are valued and affirmed. We offer holy unions for same gender couples and traditional matrimony ceremonies for straight couples. Either can be called a wedding. We believe the love of God is all-inclusive and unconditional and we disagree with those who say love between people of the same gender disqualifies them from a relationship with God. Just as you are, you are welcome and affirmed at MCC-CTL."God is Love, and WHOEVER lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them." 1 John 4:16
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28
Giving. Stewardship is the way we support our church. We are good stewards of our resources when we share them generously for the good of noble causes. For us to remain a vital, growing force in our spiritual lives and in our community, we must give of our time, talents and our treasure. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also by investing ourselves and our resources into our church, we are allowing ourselves to be the hands of Christ ministering to our community.
What is a Pledge? A pledge is a commitment of regular financial support toward the work. It is a commitment not based upon whether you are in church on a particular Sunday or on how much money you have that day. Pledging is a planned choice, an intentional decision to share of your resources on a dependable basis over a year - by giving an agreed-upon amount weekly, monthly or yearly.
Why Pledge? The staffing, programs and of MCC/CTL are supported by the faithful giving of members and friends. As we continue to grow in service, our giving must grow also. Regular faithful giving is our largest single source of income and allows us to anticipate our future income and plan responsibly. When we give, whether in time or money, we are blessed. Where we give our resources makes a statement about what we believe. We naturally want to support something that offers spiritual nourishment to us. There are many financial obligations in our lives about which we seem to have little choice. But when it comes to stewardship, we do have a choice: to give back to ourselves by giving to the church that means so much to us, and as we choose to be givers, we find our gifts being multiplied.
How Much Should I Give? The amount you give is up to you. Think about giving proportionally. Many people give to church based upon the Biblical tradition of tithing -- giving 10% of the fruits of the harvest to God. If you are new to pledging, try an amount and be faithful to that commitment. The church is the original more if you can/less if you can't organization. But if all of us give as generously as we can, there is no dream that will be beyond our reach.
How Do I Pledge? In Church - Simply complete a Pledge Form and turn it in with your offering. By Mail - P.O. Box 7422, North Brunswick, NJ 08902.
Pledge Cards are distributed during the Annual Pledge drive in the Fall and are available through the church office. They are also offered to all new members. Formalizing your pledge in writing to the Church is a symbol of your commitment. People who identify their giving will receive reports of giving during the year. All records of pledging and giving are confidential. We know our Church makes a difference for friends near and far. It is encouraging to hear from people whose lives we touch. We welcome you to become part of our vision.
The Early Church. The Apostle Peter wrote, As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace" 1 Pet. 4:10. We have an exciting opportunity to follow Peter's directive. We can demonstrate our gratitude for what we have by sharing our gifts generously and consistently with the church that is helping us grow in faith and love. As we commit to percentage giving, we become good stewards of divine abundance and we become the conduit through which divine grace flows into the community. Our gifts help others to believe that God believes in them. With that mind, we can become "joyful givers."
Let us commit our time, talent and treasure to building up our wonderful church for the good of others and the glory of God.
CTL's Language Policy:MCC/Christ the Liberator does not believe in using language that is exclusive of or insensitive to a person's race, gender identity, physical ability, or sexual orientation. Our use of language extends to the words we use for God. In accordance with biblical traditions, masculine, feminine, or gender-neutral words may be used in reference to God. Our language policy is not about what one cannot say, but is about what can be added to our common speech that reflects the conditions of people.
