You Can Join Us in Building a Church Where All Means All

From Mark Johnston, Executive Director of GLAD’s Open & Affirming Ministry Program

Have you heard some of the stories I’ve encountered this past year?

• A father thanked me for the Open & Affirming Ministry Program, “You’re working to build a church where my daughter will be welcome.”
• A mother from a Disciples congregation contacted me desperate to find congregations in rural areas where her friends can attend with their LGBT children. Too often, there isn’t one.
• I heard a father talk of the Open & Affirming Disciples congregation and the life-saving welcome he found for his 10 year old transgender son.
• I heard a young Disciples pastor tell his story of coming out to his congregation while in seminary, a story that included receiving from his pastor an envelope full of pictures of him at the church, torn to shreds, and the statement that he is no longer welcome.

It’s stories like these that are why I serve as Executive Director of the Open & Affirming Ministry Program. I want to be part of building a church where are all welcome at the table and parents no longer have to worry if their children will be welcome at church, seminarians no longer have to hide their inner being to serve the church, where young people no longer fear that they will lose the love of their families if they come out.

You too can be part of this work! How? you ask? GLAD you asked!

GLAD is not funded by the General Church. This work is accomplished together with you when you pledge and support us with your membership contributions.

• Are you a member of GLAD? NO? Then click here and join up!
• Yes, you are a member of GLAD? Then click our contribution page and make an ongoing pledge to ensure that our work can continue.
• While you’re at it, click here to read the letter we recently mailed out for our fall membership drive. Share it with your friends and ask them to join with you doing this important ministry.
• While you’re at it, email a copy to your pastor and suggest that the letter be used to take an offering at church for GLAD.
• Use the letter to participate in our O&A Congregation Challenge. Didn’t know that there’s an O&A Congregation Challenge? Click here for more information!

Have you read this far? Thanks! And help us out. Email this article to your friends, and share on your Facebook page (there’s an easy to use button below). Let others know that you are a member of the GLAD Alliance and that you invite them to join you in this important ministry.

Thanks to all for your support of this work! – Mark