The Evangelical Network
The Evangelical Network (TEN) is an association of Christian and Evangelical ministries that are a part of and are affirming to the LGBTQ community and their relationships. The TEN website describes its focus in a mission statement including the following goals: The Evangelical Network is not a denomination (as explained on their FAQ page), and includes in its statement of beliefs that "a person can be Christian and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or straight." History of TEN. The Evangelical Network (TEN) was founded in 1988 by Rev. Fred L. Pattison, pastor of Casa de Cristo Evangelical Church  in Phoenix, Arizona. At that time, Casa de Cristo was a Metropolitan Community Church (UFMCC). Pattison's original vision was to network within MCC to find other Evangelical Christians in the denomination. However, when Casa de Cristo's board and congregation voted to leave MCC in 1988, the focus of TEN changed to reaching out to and helping start independent Evangelical churches with predominantly gay and lesbian congregations. When Pattison retired from his pastorate as well as the presidency of TEN, he recommended to the board of TEN that his successor be Todd Ferrell of Freedom in Christ Church in  San Francisco where Ferrell was serving as a church elder. Ferrell served as president of TEN for nearly four years and was succeeded by Pattison's pastor-successor, Ronnie Pigg. In 2004, TEN's church affiliates voted in a new board with Todd Ferrell returning as president. He led the organization until 2017 when David Thomas, pastor of Abundant Grace Church in Granite Falls, North Carolina, was then chosen as TEN president. For several years, TEN's annual conferences were held in March at Casa de Cristo in Phoenix. An "international" conference was later begun and held in Vancouver, British  Columbia over Labor Day weekend in September. Eventually, it was decided by members and the board that in order to reach more members nationwide, one annual conference would be held at different cities around the United States with various churches across the nation acting as host. In addition to many years of conferences/gatherings, TEN has been also been active in social justice issues including: Theology. The TEN Statement of Faith is similar in content to many mainstream Christian organizations, The organizations Statement of Faith states that they believe: While there are other LGBT affirming Christian organizations (such as Q  Christian Fellowship and The Reformation Project), TEN continues to focus on outreach specifically to the LGBTQ Evangelical community. Annual TEN Conference. Each year, The Evangelical Network hosts a conference including times of worship, keynote speakers, and workshops. The conference is held annually in a different US city generally during the summer months (as evidenced by their posted past conference dates and locations). Previous guests and speakers have included: Marsha Stevens-Pino, Peggy Campolo, Tony Campolo, Ray Boltz, Stan Mitchell, Jay Bakker, Mark Tidd, and Kenny Bishop.