Policies and Constitution
Policy on web site communications
There are a number of ways in which we invite visitors to our website to communicate with our church - email, text messaging, opinion polls, Facebook, Twitter, etc. We are interested to receive constructive feedback of all kinds about our church and its ministries, however there are occasions when we may choose a specific course of action in response to a particular communication.
Email Messages
The content of our web site includes much information about our church's beliefs, mission and guiding principles. We are committed to what we say on those pages, the core messages are not negotiable, and we will not be diverted from our aims by the comments of correspondents who actively oppose us.
Consequently, we will not commit time and energy to debating our beliefs and principles with people who send unsolicited messages which attempt to goad us into defending our position. We happily participate in serious, well-organised, balanced and rational debates - but not by email, and not on terms dictated by visitors pursuing their own agenda.
It is our policy that pointless and antagonistic email messages will not receive replies.
Online Postings
We value all submissions to any discussion forums which we may from time to time provide. We will remove from any such forum any contributions which are vexatious, offensive, or which seek to undermine the mission of our church and denomination.
We will happily publish genuine comments, together with questions which constructively and respectfully challenge us to seek a deeper truth about our faith; but we will not give space on our pages to the bigotry and prejudice which our church is committed to fighting.
We may also edit or reject postings designed primarily to advertise another organisation or to promote, or plant links to, other web sites or services.
It is our policy that negative, vexatious or diversionary postings will not be published on our pages .
General
As responsible users of the internet, we support the continual fight against irresponsible internet use. Accordingly we actively use appropriate technology to filter and suppress spam, phishing, viruses and other forms of malware.
We may also monitor and block access to our pages by users whom we consider unacceptable in view of their previous interaction with our site.
Additionally, we may report to the appropriate authorities the details of any user whom we believe to be in breach of any law or regulation on internet use.
In summary...
We take seriously Jesus's advice about where we should cast our pearls. (Matthew 7:1-6)
The Board of Directors
The Metropolitan Community Church of Manchester
Policy on Working with the Media
Introduction
From time to time we are asked to work with the media when dealing with issues of homosexuality, transgender and Christianity. We are happy to work with the media in a variety of settings and develop this policy to help various media organisations know the type of help we are able to offer.
Interviews
The pastor has been trained in working with the media and has given many interviews BBC radio and TV as well as various independent TV production companies over the years as well as the print media. Every effort will be made to help with these requests. We recognise that often an interview needs to be conducted quickly and we will try to accommodate as much as possible; however, production companies need also need to realise that the pastor has other commitments and may not always be immediately available!
Filming for Reality-style Programmes
MCC is happy to help with such programmes provided the company is interested in making a serious programme which explores or presents the relevant issues well and in a balanced way. We are not able to help with "sensational" or unduly confrontational type projects.
Students
We are not able to accommodate the many requests we get for media interviews from student production teams at local universities.
Venue
It is sometimes possible to film at the Church but this would incur an additional filming fee from our hosts. The pastor is able to travel to other venues, with notice, provided reasonable travelling expenses are paid.
Sunday Worship
We are not able to have Sunday services filmed. Our regular worshippers are not all comfortable with appearing on national TV and our first responsibility is to those who attend and those who may
attend for the first time on any given Sunday – it can be off putting to arrive for the first time and find a TV crew in residence!
Blessings of Civil Partnerships
We are often asked if we can approach couples who have booked a blessing of Civil Partnership to have their service filmed. Experience has shown that the level of disruption caused does not merit the effort needed to help in these cases. We are, therefore, not able to help with these requests.
Fees
We don't have a fee as such for interviews but may ask for a donation from commercial companies who are being commissioned by independent TV for non-news style programmes.
Contact
The pastor can be contacted by any of the methods shown on the Contact Us page.
Agreed by the Board of Directors, May 2008
Constitution
The Constitution of the church was last amended in 2011 and is available here as a pdf file.
