Reconciling Resources-FAQs
In January 2023, Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church began the Reconciling in Christ Journey.
The following are some Frequently Asked Questions about the process (these will be updated as we move through this process).
The purpose of the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program is to ensure the welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; work for racial equity and commit to anti-racist work and support the national program.
A congregation or ministry who commits to the RIC program, is recognized as having a welcome statement and culture that is explicitly welcoming of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions and is committed to the work of racial equity and combatting prejudice.
A congregation or ministry who commits to the RIC program, is recognized as having a welcome statement and culture that is explicitly welcoming of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions and is committed to the work of racial equity and combatting prejudice.
- In March, 5 sessions after worship on Sunday mornings will be offered as we look at what it means to become Reconciling in Christ.
- Additional learning resources will be shared on our congregational website and in our emails.
- A team will come together in April to work on a “Welcome Statement” for our congregation.
- That statement will be shared with the congregation in May.
- In June, at a congregation meeting, we will vote on (a) whether or not to become a Reconciling in Christ congregation and (b) whether or not to approve the proposed welcome statement
Even in churches that are welcoming and friendly, people who are LGBTQ have been made to feel unwelcome, or are discouraged from fully participating. Some of that is explicit - in congregations where LGBTQ persons are told that they are sinful because of who they love. Other times it is more subtle in the language used and who is invited into leadership.
Pastor David has written about the danger of the phrase "All is Welcome" when used without thought given to how people are welcomed.
The RIC process gives congregations the opportunity to think not just about how they welcome LGBTQ persons, but also opens them up to how they make other people who have struggled with faith and the church to feel welcome.
Pastor David has written about the danger of the phrase "All is Welcome" when used without thought given to how people are welcomed.
The RIC process gives congregations the opportunity to think not just about how they welcome LGBTQ persons, but also opens them up to how they make other people who have struggled with faith and the church to feel welcome.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus has a special focus in his ministry on those who have been excluded from the religious community. The love of Jesus is specific and explicit - welcoming not just "all" but specific people who are most in need of his message.
Thinking about a community that has often been excluded (and even harmed) by faith communities will help us to identify our blind spots. What are the ways that we have unintentionally made people feel unwelcomed? How can we better express the love of the Gospel to our neighbors?
Asking these questions - especially around the topics of race, gender, and sexuality - will help us to more clearly express our mission and more fully share the good news with the world.
Thinking about a community that has often been excluded (and even harmed) by faith communities will help us to identify our blind spots. What are the ways that we have unintentionally made people feel unwelcomed? How can we better express the love of the Gospel to our neighbors?
Asking these questions - especially around the topics of race, gender, and sexuality - will help us to more clearly express our mission and more fully share the good news with the world.
The Lutheran tradition has always had a passion for those who were made to otherwise feel unwelcome in the church. Theologically, we believe that the work of God - the grace of God - is not dependent on our identities, how we live our lives, what we look like, or any other human condition. God is the one who brings love and grace into the world.
You can read more about what our specific denomination teaches about sexuality and gender here.
Within our denomination, our synod (the Gulf Coast Synod) is walking through the same process right now. There are currently just over over 1,000 congregations and ministries that are officially part of the RIC program, and another 300 that are going through the process right now.
You can read more about what our specific denomination teaches about sexuality and gender here.
Within our denomination, our synod (the Gulf Coast Synod) is walking through the same process right now. There are currently just over over 1,000 congregations and ministries that are officially part of the RIC program, and another 300 that are going through the process right now.
The majority of the churches in our area (The Woodlands) believe that same-gender relationships are sinful, and discourage people who are LGBTQ from participating in the life of their church. A number of high-profile churches have left their larger denomination because they refuse to be welcoming to LGBTQ persons.
There are other churches in our are that "welcome all," and are more friendly toward a diversity of sexualities and gender expressions. However, there are not any mainline Christian churches that are explicitly affirming of LGBTQ people in our area.
In the Houston area, there are two ELCA congregations and two other ministries that are part of the RIC program.
There are other churches in our are that "welcome all," and are more friendly toward a diversity of sexualities and gender expressions. However, there are not any mainline Christian churches that are explicitly affirming of LGBTQ people in our area.
In the Houston area, there are two ELCA congregations and two other ministries that are part of the RIC program.
