Becoming a Welcoming Church
The Christian movement for LGBT inclusion is more than 30 years old. There is a wealth of resources – both denominational and non-denominational – that can help guide your church in the process to becoming welcoming. Following you will find links to both resources and organizations that have pooled the wisdom of the movement into hands-on steps your church can take toward becoming welcoming.
Like what you see here? Know of a resource we’re missing? We’d love to hear from you. Share your feedback and suggestions with us.
How To Be Welcoming
A La Familia: A Conversation About Our Families, the Bible, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Mosques and Welcoming LGBT People
Religion Dispatches, May 16, 2011
Melissa Harris-Perry: LGBT Advocates Need Public Progressive Faith
Ordination of Hispanic UCC Pastors Lifts Up ONA, 'New Understanding'
United Church of Christ, May 24, 2011
Leadership in Congregations
Bethesda, Maryland: The Alban Institute, 2007.
Room For All Resources
Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests Resources
Become a More Light Church
Become a Reconciling Lutheran
Integrity USA (Episcopal Church), Process for Becoming Welcoming & Affirming
Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciple Alliance (Disciples of Christ), Downloads and Resources
The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (American Baptist, Alliance of Baptists and other Baptist churches), Resources
Reconciling Ministries Network (UMC) Study Guides and Worship Resources
Coalition for LGBT Concerns (United church of Christ) O&A Study Packet and Resources
Acting Out Loud
Faithful Voices on Sexuality and Religion
Building an Inclusive Church: A Welcoming Toolkit
Institute for Welcoming Resources
Difficult Conversations: Taking Risks, Acting with Integrity
Bethesda, Maryland: The Alban Institute, 2001.
Sacred Covenants, Faithful Conversations
Sailing on Faith: See Who God Has Sent
For the Bible Tells Me So
Turning Points
Bishop Lee’s Choice
Michael Massing
Published New York Times: January 4, 2004
Silent and Undecided Friends: Motivating Greater LGBT Rights Advocacy Among Clergy and Congregations
Ft. Wayne, IN: LifeQuest, 2008.
Congregations Talking about Homosexuality: A Dialogue on a Difficult Issue
Alban Institute, 1999.
Called Out With: Stories of Solidarity in Support of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Persons
Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.
Called Out: The Voices and Gifts of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Presbyterians
Gaithersburg, MD: Chi Rho Press, 1995.
Jesus, The Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church
Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.
How do I find a welcoming church?
Select your state from the drop down menu above. The map will populate with different colored buttons, each indicating welcoming churches in your state. The different colors correspond to each church’s denomination (see key under map). Click on a button and the church’s contact information will appear.
What are welcoming churches like?
Welcoming churches are as diverse as Christianity itself. They vary in every way you can imagine - worship style, theology, music, size and location. As with any search for a church home, finding a welcoming church that fits is a unique and individual process. If your community is not yet home to a welcoming church that fits you, check back; our list is ever-expanding.
Do all welcoming churches believe the same things?
Welcoming churches vary in many respects, including their theology and beliefs. This variety includes their expression of LGBT-inclusion. All of the churches listed here, however, embody a bottom line belief that each of us is equal in God’s eyes.
If my church’s denomination has not officially accepted gays and lesbians, can my individual congregation still become a welcoming church?
Absolutely. The largest mainline denominations in America each have advocacy groups that have established protocols for becoming a “welcoming” congregation. To learn more about your denomination’s process, see our Tool, Become a Welcoming Church and scroll down to find your denominational resource.
My church is non-denominational. How can my church become welcoming?
The Institute for Welcoming Resources has developed a toolkit for use by any church that wants to explore LGBT inclusion. It provides a process of study and discernment to guide you in this process. The Institute also offers hands-on training for leaders in your congregation. Another helpful resource is Acting Out Loud, a guide developed by the Religious Institute for faith communities that want to move beyond welcome toward a wider embrace of LGBT people and their families.
Which denominations endorse marriage equality/perform same-gender holy unions?
There is a growing body of pastors from a variety of denominations who perform same-sex marriages (where legal) and holy unions (where marriage equality is not yet legal). If you are looking for a pastor to perform your ceremony, check out our Map of Welcoming Churches, which lists thousands of LGBT-inclusive churches throughout the United States.
The Institute for Welcoming Resources tracks LGBT policy at a number of major denominations. A summary of those policies on marriage equality is below:
American Baptist Church - The decision to perform LGBT unions is left up to individual churches/pastors.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - The DOC does not denominationally endorse marriage equality, but there are local DOC churches and pastors who recognize and perform same-gender unions, including marriage.
Episcopal Church - The Episcopal Church recognizes the right of each of its Bishops (regional heads of church) to decide whether its diocese will perform LGBT unions, including marriage where legal. Within endorsing dioceses, the decision to perform unions is left up to individual pastors.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - The ELCA supports the right of local churches and pastors to bless and perform same-gender ceremonies, including marriage where legal.
Metropolitan Community Churches - The MCC denominationally endorses marriage equality and performs holy unions and same-gender marriages.
Presbyterian Church (USA) - The PCUSA does not denominationally endorse marriage equality, but they recently lifted a ban on gay clergy and there are individual Presbyterian pastors who perform holy unions and same-gender marriages.
Reformed Church in America - The RCA does not denominationally endorse marriage equality, but there are local RCA churches and pastors that recognize and perform same-gender-loving unions, including marriages.
United Church of Canada - The United Church of Canada endorses marriage equality and recognizes same-gender-loving couples; the decision to perform LGBT unions is left up to individual pastors.
United Church of Christ - The UCC denominationally endorses marriage equality and recognizes same-gender-loving couples; the decision to perform LGBT unions is left up to individual pastors. The UCC was the first mainline Protestant denomination to support marriage equality.
United Methodist Church - The UMC is denominationally against marriage equality and same-gender unions; however, there is a growing number of pastors and churches in the UMC that are intentionally defying this denominational stance and performing marriages and unions for all.
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations - The UUA denominationally endorses marriage equality, recognizes same-gender-loving couples and performs LGBT unions.
