Now What?
A number of people have approached me to ask, “Now that we are a Reconciling Congregation what happens next?” The first thing is for us to be officially recognized as a new Reconciling Congregation by the Reconciling Ministries Network at our Annual Conference on June 21st. With that we will be on the list of UM Churches that are open to LGBT people. The value of this is, people who are concerned about this issue and are looking for a church often refer to this list. After these two things the next steps are largely up to us.
In my mind, in the simplest terms, being a Reconciling Congregation allows us to live out fully our motto, Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors; wherever that takes us. We are now able to include this in ever way we interact with our community and the world – on the website, in our services, in our new member classes, Through the Preschool and most importantly, by word of mouth. I believe there are many people out there who are not attending church because they assume that all churches would be on the other side of this issue. In that sense, what happens next is for us to become excited about who we are and share it with the world!
In a more pastoral sense it means that we are able to care for people who are hurting. In each other presentations during worship people shared about people they knew who were affected by this – often the stories included some pain and suffering. We are now fully able and called to reach out to people who are excluded – and as I said in a recent sermon, I believe this will inspire us to reach out to all people who are left out. In the 26 years I have been in ministry I have always had to look over my shoulder when I have talked about how I feel about this – now I intend to look straight ahead.
I was also asked if there would be any cost or punishment for doing this. The answer it no. The Reconciling Ministries Network is, for obvious reasons, not an official part of the UMC. In taking this action we are not following or accountable to the Discipline. The only way we would be face some sort of sanction is if we were to perform a same sex marriage in our Church. That discussion may arise, but there are no consequences for becoming a Reconciling Church.
Once again, what happens next is up to all of us. I would encourage everyone, youth and adults to share with others about what we have done. Let the Word go out. Amen. Pastor Jim
