First Christian Church Chattanooga is Open & Affirming!
We, the people of First Christian Church, experience God’s welcoming love through Jesus Christ and affirm the worth, dignity, and gifts of all people.
So begins the welcome statement of First Christian Church in Chattanooga, TN, adopted October 27, 2020. With great joy, we welcome First Christian in Chattanooga as an Open & Affirming ministry!
In June 2020, Senior Minister Rev. Brandon Gilvin said, “We were moving steadily through our O&A discernment process until COVID-19 derailed, well, all of our plans.” Adapting to the era, the church re-engaged the process intentionally, with clear and transparent communication. They created a Welcome Statement Frequently Asked Questions video.
More from their Welcome Statement:
We host the table as Christ did, offering a wide welcome to membership and full participation in the ministries of the church to people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, races, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, family structures, backgrounds, economic circumstances, and theological and political perspectives.
We nurture the Spirit of justice in our life and ministry in Chattanooga by working to embody God’s love, peace, and hope.
We welcome You.
Thank you, First Christian Church in Chattanooga, for your ministry.
If your faith community is interested in resources for the welcoming journey — beginning this journey or deepening the commitment to Open & Affirming ministry, contact Melissa@disciplesallianceq.org.
You can also communicate your interest in a Virtual Building an Inclusive Church training. Fill out this interest form!
More info on the Virtual BIC Trainings here.
If your O&A ministry hasn’t yet provided financial support for AllianceQ, will you consider a gift still this year? And–your gifts of advocacy, education and proclamation make a difference.
Here’s a note from our Executive Director + Minister about giving, titled “Honored and Humbled.”