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What is the Reconciling in Christ program?
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In 1984 Lutherans Concerned/North America started the Reconciling in Christ program to
recognize Lutheran congregations which welcome lesbian and gay believers. The Reconciled
in Christ roster has grown at an accelerated pace in recent years, since exceeding 100
Lutheran congregations in the U.S. and Canada. The program has also expanded to include 9
synods (ELCA) and other Lutheran organizations, such as the Lutheran Student Movement -
USA.
All people are welcome here. Why should we single out gay and lesbian people? The
Reconciling in Christ program doesn't seek special treatment for gay or lesbian people.
The reality is, however, that we live in a time where the voices of fear and ignorance
dominate the public discussion on human sexuality issues in our society. Most often these
judgmental voices of irrational fear are all that is heard. In fact. Lutherans Concerned
continues to learn of Lutheran churches that shun gay and lesbian people. Sometimes their
parents and family are even vilified and attacked by church members.
As a result, it is assumed by most gay and lesbian people that they are not welcome in
any church unless told otherwise. Even a general statement of welcome is heard as really
meaning "everybody but me." The RIC program seeks to make clearer the policy of
churches where all people are welcome as full members, regardless of their sexual
orientation or their children's.
All people are welcome here. Why should we single out gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) people?
The RIC Program doesn't seek special treatment for GLBT
people. The reality is, however, that we live in a time where the voices
of fear and ignorance dominate the public discussion of human sexuality
issues in our society. Most often these judgmental voices of irrational
fear are all that is heard. In fact, Lutherans Concerned continues to
learn of Lutheran churches that shun GLBT people. Sometimes their parents
and family are even vilified and attacked by church members.
As a result, it is assumed by most GLBT people that they
are not welcome in any church unless told otherwise. Even a general
statement of welcome is heard as really meaning "everybody but me," so it
takes a special effort to communicate the same welcome. The RIC Program
seeks to make clearer the policy of churches where all people are welcome
as full members, regardless of their sexual orientation, their gender
identity or that of their children, siblings or friends.
The single element that is central to the program is the Affirmation of Welcome. It is
simple, yet powerful in its witness. Any group that adopts it or a similar statement which
includes the naming of GLBT people as welcome to full participation is eligible
to be designated as Reconciling in Christ after review by Lutherans Concerned. Making the
affirmation promotes a publicly inclusive ministry and helps heal the pain of doubt.
Sample Affirmation of Welcome
As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all
people in our world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place.
Our world is a place of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to
reconciliation and wholeness. We are challenged by the Gospel to be
agents of healing within our society.
We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither Jew
nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor
female" (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this
reconciliation extends to people of all sexual orientations and gender
identities.
Because gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons and their
families are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we
wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that
we affirm the following:
Emanuel
Evangelical Lutheran Church
