LARGER gay friendly churches in Orange County? (Anaheim, Laguna: live, gay-friendly)

[LAMelanie]

I know there are smaller ones, but I am wondering if anyone knows if there are larger (like, approaching mega sized churches... besides the crystal cathedral) that are gay friendly.

i ask not because i am gay, but because i cant stomach going to a church that ostracizes any groups for any reason and thats a huge area of bigotry in most oc churches.

thanks

[VLWH]

Originally Posted by LAMelanie

I know there are smaller ones, but I am wondering if anyone knows if there are larger (like, approaching mega sized churches... besides the crystal cathedral) that are gay friendly.

i ask not because i am gay, but because i cant stomach going to a church that ostracizes any groups for any reason and thats a huge area of bigotry in most oc churches.

thanks

It's not limited to the OC.

[LAMelanie]

for sure, but its where i live so its where i'm looking

[IMidwestMom]

Don't know of any area churches but I wanted to say that I understad your view. Was only a few years ago when I was organizing a childrens church group, which was to welcome the community for participation, and an associate pastor told me not to include a specific church because their pastor was "gay" (** throat clearing **). The program was for 4-6 year olds. I didn't last for much longer at that church.

There will be a church out there where you are comfortable, just keep looking.

[bhcompy]

While not a megachurch, I did see a Unitarian church in Anaheim the other day on Harbor(near Anaheim Ice). Definitely a very progressive church

[LAMelanie]

I probably should have been more specific in asking for what would probably be a more liberal christian church....

I was looking at Mariners and considering a visit (after all, they just started using the NIV 2011) but when I read some reviews elsewhere it was revealed that they fired one of their worship leaders for coming out gay. Not the kind of church I am looking for.

Its sad. It really shouldnt be this difficult!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by LAMelanie

I know there are smaller ones, but I am wondering if anyone knows if there are larger (like, approaching mega sized churches... besides the crystal cathedral) that are gay friendly.

i ask not because i am gay, but because i cant stomach going to a church that ostracizes any groups for any reason and thats a huge area of bigotry in most oc churches.

thanks

i doubt you will find many churches similar to Crystal Cathedral than welcome gays. For whatever reason, throghout the country mega churches seem to be very fundamentalish, thus they may not be gay friendly. I would consentrate on Unitarian, Episcopal and the United Lutheran for gay friendly. The Episcopla churches (many of them anyway) are very liberal. Of course OC is still OC.

Nita

[Fontucky]

Those megachurch sideshows have to play to their audience in OC, and OC isn't exactly a hotbed of acceptance when it comes to the gays.

[JustJulia]

Do you have to go to a megachurch? It would be easier to go to a smaller, gay-friendly church, wouldn't it? We liked St. George's in Laguna Hills, which had a couple of gay pastors while we were there.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by JustJulia

Do you have to go to a megachurch? It would be easier to go to a smaller, gay-friendly church, wouldn't it? We liked St. George's in Laguna Hills, which had a couple of gay pastors while we were there.

I would think smaller churches that are usually very friendly would be the most accepting and comfortable.

Nita