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Andy Braunston is a native of London, UK and grew up in the Roman Catholic Church. At his first MCC service in 1987 he heard people give their testimonies of how God, through MCC’s ministries, had made a difference in their lives. Andy is now an ordained minister within MCC and enjoys working to save and change lives by helping people to see beyond what other churches say about non-heterosexuals.

Written (Survey) History

This history was collected via online survey.

What do you like to be called by your friends and family?

Andy

 

Where were you born?

London, United Kingdom

 

Do you have a life partner or spouse?

Yes.

 

If you have a partner or spouse and feel comfortable doing so, please provide their name below.

Dr. Ian Wilson

 

Did you grow up in a church? If yes, which one?

Yes, Roman Catholic

 

When did you first discover Metropolitan Community Churches?

1987

 

How did you hear about MCC? Friend, family, advertising, Troy’s book, other? Please describe.

My then partner was in the same class at University as an MCC member. We went along to the service at MCC London. I had previously heard of MCC through an interview in the press with the Rev Elder Jean White.

 

Describe your first visit to MCC. Please include the church’s name.

It was Fellowship Sunday 1987 and people were giving their testimony about the difference God had made in their life through the ministry of MCC.

 

How many years have you belonged to a MCC?

19

 

Who preached the sermon that you’ve never forgotten? Do you remember the name of the sermon? Where were you when you heard it?

The Rev Elder Hong Tan’s “Who Will Deliver God’s Love?” at MCC North London.

 

Who influenced you the most in MCC?

The Rev Elder Jean White

 

Describe how this person influenced you.

She was a wonderful example of steadfast perseverance, steadfast Christian witness and a wonderful example of love and faith.

 

If you attend a MCC now, please give its name.

MCC Manchester

 

What do you like best about your local church?

Being the Pastor of a diverse growing Christian church.

 

What do you like best about the movement, ministry and community of MCC?

The way we both save and change lives and help people realize they can be disciples of the Lord Jesus despite what other churches say about lgbt people.

 

Have you attended a General Conference? If so please tell how many you have attended:

3

 

What do you like best about General Conferences?

Meeting and being together with our people from all over the world.

 

What do you remember about the Inclusive (Including) Language Project? Or your first encounter with Inclusive (Including) language at MCC.

Inclusive language has always been used, in different forms, since I joined MCC in 1988.

 

What do you remember about the ordination of women and people of color?

The first two MCC pastors I met were the Rev Elder Jean White, a woman, and the Rev Elder Hong Tan, an Asian. I assumed that the participation of women and people of minority ethnic heritage was normal.

 

What do you remember about the beginning of ministry to the transgender and intersexed communities?

I have always been aware of transgender people in MCC.

 

What do you remember about the growth of a community of children or a children’s / youth ministry at your MCC?

Most of the MCCs I have served have had some children’s ministry, but this is still in its infancy in the UK.

 

What do you remember about MCC ministry during the beginning of the AIDS pandemic and the transition of that movement to where it is today?

I remember MCC becoming less focused on HIV/AIDS in my time here. We no longer start all our services with an AIDS candle and we realize that there are many life threatening diseases that affect us. People are living longer and longer now with HIV and the profile of the disease in the West has lessened.

 

What do you remember about our restructuring from Districts/Global Outreach to Regions?  

Confusion. Much of the good work done in the European District about inclusion, translation, multi-lingual worship and the ability to train our clergy has been lost and now has to be re-invented. The Fellowship is not equipped to do all the background checks on clergy candidates that we used to do, with ease, in the old European District.

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