The Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program is for congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, and other Lutheran organizations. Lutheran communities that publicly welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender peopleĀ are accepted onto the Reconciling in Christ roster which now exceeds 600 settings.Ā Most groups start the process of consideration by engaging in a study program or series of educational meetings. Hearing the experiences of LGBT people and their families often creates greater understanding and insights.
The RIC Journey
Begin a conversation
TheĀ RIC journey begins when onlyĀ oneĀ person in a faith community wants to specifically welcome LGBTQ people into their midst.
The best place to begin is with theĀ Building an Inclusive Church (BIC)Ā toolkit and training.Ā Drawing on over 30Ā years of experience, the BICĀ is a step-by-step guide to facilitate a RIC journeyĀ in your faith community. It also includes a RIC congregational assessment survey to determine an appropriate pace for your journey. Step one can take anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years.
Write and pass a welcome statement
After your community has completed some education, discussion, and mutual discernment, you are ready to write a welcome statement specifically naming “LGBT” or “people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.” You are invited to include more identities in your welcome statement if your community discerns an even wider welcome. Reconciling Works’Ā sample affirmation statementsĀ resource will help you in creating a beautiful and rewarding statement.
Once the statement has been written, approve the welcome statement in a way congruent with how your faith community passes resolutions. Most times this is by a community-wide vote, but this could also be by a council, board, or other governing body.
Proclaim your welcome
After the welcome statement is adopted, let Reconciling Works know by filling out theĀ RIC profile survey. A staff member will be in touch with you to review the survey, confirm that the language meets our standards, and answer any additional questions before your faith community is added to the roster of RIC participants. The RIC roster is publiclyĀ displayed on the websiteĀ and is distributed appropriately as a witness to the community and the church at large.
AĀ welcoming journey never ends.
RIC communities are often the communities asking “Who is marginalized in our church and society?” and “What might we learn about God from people different than us?”Ā You’re RIC! Now what?Ā and Reconciling Works’Ā dismantling injusticeĀ page are great resources to continue the welcoming and hospitality conversations.