Two New Open & Affirming Congregations

Since the last report in the July Crossbeams, two new congregations have declared themselves Open & Affirming.

Carthage Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, working closely with Mark Johnston, Executive Director of GLAD’s Open & Affirming Ministry Program, wrote a new vision statement, placed a non-discrimination statement into their by-laws, and with 96% of the congregation voted to approve becoming an O&A congregation. Their new vision statement reads:

Carthage Christian Church dares to BE a congregation that is open for and affirming to ALL of God’s Children regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, political opinion, economic status, educational background, cultural identity, age, race, mental or physical ability, or any other human division.

National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield, Missouri has been welcoming LGBT people into their congregation for a while and supporting GLAD financially, but had not joined GLAD’s Open & Affirming Ministry Program until now. National Avenue Christian Church has welcomed LGBT people into their congregation and leadership, sets up a booth at the local Pridefest each year, and provides meeting space for PFLAG and the Men’s Chorus of the Ozarks. Recently they took the step of contacting GLAD and sending the information needed to join GLAD’s growing list of Open & Affirming Congregations.

Click here to see if your congregation is on GLAD’s list of Open & Affirming Ministries.

Click here for more information on how your congregation can declare itself Open & Affirming.

We are proud to welcome both of these congregations to the Open & Affirming Ministry Program!