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Reconciling Ministries

St. Andrew is a Reconciling Congregation

St. Andrew United Methodist Church publicly affirms our commitment to inclusion as faithfully recorded in the reconciling statement below, will post this statement in our newsletter and bulletin, and will forward it to the Reconciling Ministries Network to be listed among those communities that affirm inclusion. Thus, we will thereby be known as a reconciling congregation, ready to welcome those who are called to be an inclusive church living out Christ's love for all to transform the world.

Welcoming Statement

St. Andrew United Methodist Church has a place for you. We embrace Jesus’ message that God loves everyone and affirm that all persons are of sacred worth. We are proud to celebrate diversity as we work to live our vision of radical hospitality.

We welcome people of every age, race and gender identity; diverse nationalities, ethnicities, and sexual orientations; any family structure, economic reality, physical and mental ability, education and faith history. While there are differences among us, we can love alike though we may not think alike. You are invited to join this nurturing community on a faith journey toward greater love, understanding and mutual respect. 

If this is your first visit, welcome.  If you are returning, welcome home.

Becoming a Reconciling Congregation:

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

0. What is a Reconciling Congregation?
   A Reconciling Congregation is a United Methodist local church that makes a public statement welcoming all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, to participate fully in its congregational life.

0. What would it mean to become a Reconciling Congregation?
   As Christians, we strive to follow Christ’s acts of welcome and love for all. But the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (UMC) contains unwelcoming language about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) persons. This is the only group of people expressly made to feel unwelcome by the language of the Discipline and Social Principles, and the only group denied full rights of participation in the UMC.

   To be reconciling simply means that we will expressly welcome this specific group of persons into our midst to journey with us in our Christian faith. St. Andrew United Methodist Church (SAUMC) will adopt a welcoming statement to include all persons we welcome, including GLBT persons. This will express our disagreement with the unwelcoming Discipline language and our wish to be inclusive of all people.

   The Scriptures will continue to be the highest source of guidance in our faith, and using them as our guide, we will intentionally welcome all. A Reconciling congregation is still bound by the Discipline.

0. How do we become a Reconciling Congregation?
   Most churches engage in a study and dialogue about the concerns for the GLBT persons in the church for a period of several months or years. During this time a group in the congregation drafts a “welcoming statement” to reflect the congregation’s intended welcoming stance. This statement is approved by the Leadership Council, then taken to a charge conference for all church members to vote on.

0. Why should we single out GLBT persons?
   Reconciling Congregations highlight the open discrimination which GLBT persons face in our church and society. In the UMC, GLBT persons are the only social group for whom participation in some aspects of general church life is barred by church law. However, there are other persons and groups in our society with whom our churches must be reconciled. Most Reconciling Congregations adopt a welcoming statement that welcomes all persons “regardless of age, gender, race, class, ethnic background, mental or physical ability, or gender/sexual orientation.”

0. Why do we have to make a public statement? We already welcome everyone.
   Many local church and Christian leaders are public about their anti-gay actions and statements. So Reconciling Congregations must be public about their desire to be in ministry with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons. The overwhelming perception within the GLBT community today is that they are not welcome in churches. A public statement is needed to overcome that reality. Remember Jesus’ statement about hiding your light under a bushel (Matt. 5:15). Rather than a decision to be kept quiet, the decision to become a Reconciling Congregation is an event to celebrate.

0. Are we breaking church law by becoming a Reconciling Congregation?
   No. Official UM policy does bar the ordination and appointment of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” and bans national church agencies from funding any “gay caucus or group” or otherwise “to promote the acceptance of homosexuality.” However, these restrictions do not apply to local churches. In fact, our Social Principles specifically encourage ministries with lesbian and gay persons (par. 65G) and advocate the protection of their civil rights (par. 66H).

0. If we become a Reconciling Congregation will we become an all-gay church?
   The experiences of congregations who have become reconciling has been that they have received some new GLBT members. However, they have received as many or more new heterosexual members who are attracted to an open, hospitable congregation.

   It is important to remember that GLBT persons who do come to our congregation do that for the same reasons as anyone else—to worship God and find support in living a Christian life.

0. Won’t this issue split our church?
   Certainly issues related to homosexuality are highly charged and can be divisive. However, the intent of the Reconciling Congregation Program is truly to be “reconciling.” We will be using an open, consultative process in becoming a Reconciling Congregation and need to realize that is it OK to agree to disagree about homosexuality, but affirm that no one should be excluded from the life and ministries of the church.

   Most churches have been able to reach consensus (not necessarily unanimity) to become a Reconciling Congregation. Some have had a few members leave because of their Reconciling status. Most have had new persons join them due to the Reconciling status. All have found their community enriched and rejuvenated by the experience of grappling with such deeply personal concerns in a positive manner.

0. Are there already congregations or ministries in the Rocky Mountain Conference that are reconciling?
   Yes: Arvada UMC, Mountain View Community Church, Christ Church UM, Cameron Church Methodist, Warren UMC, St. Paul’s UMC, First UMC Boulder.

   Also, the Western Jurisdiction (of which we are a part) recently voted to become a Reconciling Jurisdiction.

0. What is the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church?
   The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church is the book of policy for the UMC. It outlines our history and theology, as well as structure, policies, and procedures by which United Methodist govern themselves. Every four years the General Conference of the United Methodist Church amends and clarifies The Discipline.

0. What does the Book of Discipline say about homosexuality?
   The Discipline gives a mixed message about homosexuality. It says, “We recognize that sexuality is God’s gift to all persons” and that “Homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth.” It also states, “Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for homosexual persons.” It also “implores family and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends,” and that “we commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.” But it continues to say that the UMC does not “condone the practice of homosexuality” and “considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.”

0. What about the prohibition on “ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions”?
   A reconciling congregation is still bound by the Discipline. Thus, we would still be prohibited from performing homosexual unions in our church.

For more information visit www.rmnetwork.org