Neil Thomas (clergyman)

The Reverend Neil G. Thomas is the Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church in Los Angeles, California. The Metropolitan Community Churches is an international movement of churches reaching in and beyond the gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, and inter-sex community.

A part of the denomination for 22 years, Reverend Thomas has served in numerous positions including Chair, Board of Ordained Ministries (European District), Member, Elder’s Task Force on Education, Member, European District Committee, Member, Board of Samaritan College in Europe, Supervising Pastor, and Ecumenical Officer.

As a native of Bournemouth, England, Reverend Thomas grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In later years, he worshipped in a number of different churches including the Church of England and Baptist traditions. He attended St John's Theological College (Church of England), La Saint Union (Roman Catholic) and King Alfred's College, and graduated with a BA (M. Div in the U.S.). He is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Reverend Thomas served as the Senior Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church, Bournemouth following his ordination, serving in this capacity for 12 years. He was instrumental in founding churches in Southampton, Brighton, Dorchester, and Torquay, (England). In 2002 he answered a call to ministry in Los Angeles where he currently serves as Senior Pastor.

Well known for his social activism, he has been instrumental in feeding programs for the homeless, night and day shelters, safer sex initiatives, establishing relations with police and LGBTQ communities, Over the Rainbow, (a drop in center offering counseling, support and information), LGBTQ youth services, as well as challenging laws that continue discrimination and intolerance. He also served as Chaplain to the Sanctuary (an HIV/AIDS hospice), five drug and alcohol rehab houses, Women’s Refuge and the Mayor of Bournemouth. He also served as Chair of Relate (Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch) – a relationship counseling organization.

In 1998 he was honored by an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his work in the Bournemouth community.

Reverend Thomas is a contributing author of “Daring to Speak Love’s Name”, and “From Queer to Eternity”. He has also been featured in a number of journals relating to queer theology and ministry to the LGBTQ community.

External links

• Pastor of MCCLA

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