GLAD Presence at NAPAD

Early in August the North American Pacific Asian Disciples Convocation was held in Chicago, hosted by the Disciples Divinity House and University Church, an Open & Affirming Congregation. Mark Johnston, Executive Director of GLAD’s Open & Affirming Ministry Program, was invited by Jinsuk Chun, Executive Pastor of NAPAD, to give workshops and be present at the meeting.

Dr. Johnston presented on the importance of being an Open & Affirming congregation and shared process and materials that guide congregations to create an Open & Affirming program unique to each congregation. The core material that Dr. Johnston presented is found in the Building an Inclusive Church Toolkit, a resource that guides the creation of an Open & Affirming process that is grace filled and unique to the congregation’s needs.

A large proportion of the Convocation attendees came to one of the three workshops presented by Dr. Johnston and the response was positive. Dr. Johnston reflects on his experience of NAPAD, “The spirit of the church was clearly present at the NAPAD Convocation. The NAPAD churches celebrate their diversity in language and culture and have learned to be one church together in their diversity. All Disciples can learn and benefit from the spirit that infused the NAPAD Convocation.”

For more information about how to guide your congregation towards Open & Affirming, see this page on the GLAD Alliance website.

Click here for more information about the Building an Inclusive Church Toolkit.