HTELC Improvements

Reconciling in Christ

What is the Reconciling in Christ Program?

In 1984 Lutherans Concerned / North America (LC/NA) started the Reconciling in Christ ("RIC") Program to recognize Lutheran congregations that welcome lesbian and gay believers. During the 2002 LC/NA Assembly, members took action to include people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the RIC Program. The Reconciling in Christ roster now exceeds 300 settings, including congregations, synods and organizations. It also includes 22 synods of the ELCA and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and other Lutheran organizations, such as the Lutheran Student Movement USA, the Urban Servants Corps (an ecumenical ELCA-Episcopal camp ministry), the Lutheran Volunteer Corps and several synodical Lutheran Youth Organizations.

An Affirmation of Welcome

As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people in our world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place. Our world is a place of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness. We are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society.

We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this reconciliation extends to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Because gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons and their families are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following:

that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities share the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God;
that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome within the membership of this congregation upon making a common, public affirmation of faith; and
that as members of this congregation, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation.