Inspiration: Welcoming Openly

Stories, sermons, and essays on why it’s important that our affirming welcome be open.

“Once to Every….”

Rev. Chuck Blaisdell, Pastor of First Christian Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, shares with us this pastoral letter recently sent to members and friends of First Christian Church. I grew up in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and remember being taught that it was a point of pride that because of our congregationally autonomous … Continue reading “Once to Every….”

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Einstein and the Prodigal

Who knew that Einsteinian Relativity had something to teach us about God’s constant love? Luke 15:11-32 : The Story of the Prodigal Son 11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong … Continue reading Einstein and the Prodigal

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Get Off the Fence: Why “We Welcome Everyone” Isn’t Enough

So if your church is mostly, technically, unofficially affirming but you just haven’t taken the steps to embrace it –maybe you’ve just been waiting for a nudge?–then consider this your nudge. The time is now. Erin Wathen, pastor of Saint Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, KS, an Open & Affirming Congregation of the Christian Church, … Continue reading Get Off the Fence: Why “We Welcome Everyone” Isn’t Enough

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Open & Affirming Sunday at Johns Creek Christian Church

Sue Knight shared these comments at the Sunday service celebrating the first annivarsay of Johns Creek Christian Church’s decision to become Open & Affirming. Johns Creek is just outside of Atlanta, GA. Happy Open & Affirming Sunday! What a beautiful day to celebrate this historical unanimous decision a year ago to become an Open & Affirming congregation. This … Continue reading Open & Affirming Sunday at Johns Creek Christian Church

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The Importance of Open & Affirming Ministry to a Grieving Family

Susan Jaquith, a long-time member of GLAD, shares why Open & Affirming Ministry has been so meaningful to her and her family. At the time of my brother’s death in 2007, it was very important that our family be spared rejection by the church in a time of grief. There have been members of Capital … Continue reading The Importance of Open & Affirming Ministry to a Grieving Family

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Five Reasons Churches Need to “Come Out” on LGBTQ Rights

This post by Christian Piatt originally appeared on Patheos. Christian Piatt is the author of postChristian and Blood Doctrine, his first novel. He is the founder and cohost of the Homebrewed CultureCastpodcast and blogs on the Patheos Progressive Christian Channel. Follow Christian Piatt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/christianpiatt Our entire family, including my wife, Rev. Amy Piatt, and my two kids, took part in … Continue reading Five Reasons Churches Need to “Come Out” on LGBTQ Rights

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For God Is Love

These remarks on the importance of becoming an Open & Affirming congregation were offered by Rev. Mark Johnston, Ph.D., at the GLAD Open & Affirming Aftersession at the Columbus General Assembly. 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever … Continue reading For God Is Love

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Being the Visible Body of Christ

This sermon was preached at Cairn Christian Church, an Open & Affirming Congregation in Lafayette, CO, on April 27, 2014. Lectionary Gospel for the Day: John 20:19-31, the Story of Doubting Thomas. “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written … Continue reading Being the Visible Body of Christ

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Praying for the Wrong Thing

At a Welcoming Church Event in February 2014, William Martinie, a member at St. Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, KS, shared this testimony about the difference an openly welcoming and affirming congregation made in the life of his family. When I was a little kid I would often spend afternoons at my Grandparents’ house while … Continue reading Praying for the Wrong Thing

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