Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas

Senior Pastor

About  Reverend  Neil 

The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas is the Senior Pastor of Cathedral of Hope of Dallas, called and elected by the 4,500-member congregation on April 12, 2015, following a year-long search. He began his tenure on June 3, 2015. 

In 2015 he has been granted Privilege of Call in the United Church of Christ. 

Prior to his arrival at Cathedral of Hope, Dr. Thomas served as Senior Pastor of two Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC); MCC Bournemouth, England (1989-2002) and Founders Metropolitan Community Church, Los Angeles  (2002-2015), the founding church of Metropolitan Community Churches, an international movement of churches reaching in and beyond the gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, and inter-sex community.

A member of Metropolitan Community Churches since 1981, Rev. Neil has served in numerous denominational 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. He has served on the Moderator’s Advising Team and consultant to the Office of Formation and Leadership Development. 

As a native of Bournemouth, England, Dr. Thomas was born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His family left the Mormon Church in his early years. 

Dr. Thomas is a sought-after speaker and contributor to local, national and international conversations around the intersectionality of faith, color, gender, gender-identity and sexual orientation.

EDUCATION:  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 [USA equiv.]). San Francisco Theological College (Presbyterian) Doctor of Ministry (D. Min) October 2009. 

PUBLISHED:  Dr. Thomas is a contributing author of Daring to Speak Love’s Name (Penguin Books, 1993), From Queer to Eternity (Cassell, 1997), The Queer Bible Commentary (SCM Press, 2006).  Our Witness: The Unheard Stories of LGT+ Christians (Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd., UK and Cascade Books, USA, 2017). He has also been featured in several journals relating to queer theology and ministry to the LGBTQ community. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION: 

• 1981 Abbey Life Essay Writing Competition (CSE Category) Third Place
• 1991 Founder’s Award, UFMCC
• 1998 HRH Queen Elizabeth II, Garden Party
• 2002 Servant Leader Award, European District, UFMCC
• 2005 Aid for AIDS
• 2005 Creative Business Award in Civic/Community Service, California State Assembly
• 2005 Creative Business Award in Civic/Community Service, City of West Hollywood
• 2010 “Gay Heroes”, City of West Hollywood
• 2010 Harvey Milk Award, Christopher Street West, LA Pride
• 2011 Embracing Diversity of GLBTQ Youth, Penny Lane Centers
• 2012 Rev John Jose Award, UFMCC
• 2012 Leadership Award, California Faith for Equality
• 2016 Crystal Hope Award, AIN (AIDS Interfaith Network)
• 2017 Partners for Equality Award, Lambda Legal
• 2017 Diversity and Inclusion, AT&T League
• 2017 Legacy Community Advocate, Legacy Counseling Center
• 2017 The Shalom Award, Temple Shalom Brotherhood
• 2018 Grand Marshall, The Alan Ross Dallas Pride
• 2018 Justice Seeker of the Year, The Dallas Peace and Justice Center

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