As you join us in God's work of transformation of the church, you will find that there is no "one" way to transform God's church.  You will find many resources, conversation partners, and processes to aid you and your organization on this website.  If you talk to our leadership, you will find myriad people to help you in your journey.  Looking at our resources, you can read about testimonies and ideas for education and leading.  Below is one suggested process for the journey.  For a packet of more information, please contact Kerry Armstrong.

SUGGESTED PROCESS

FOR THE JOURNEY

TO BECOME

AN OPEN & AFFIRMING REGION, GENERAL UNIT, INSTITUTION, OR MINISTRY

OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

1. Engage in a study about inclusion, gender, and sexuality.  The GLAD O&A Ministries Program will be glad to suggest resources.

   
   

2. Appoint a task force to write an open and affirming statement that clearly specifies that persons of ALL gender and sexual identities are welcome in the membership, leadership, and employment of the setting and will be afforded equal protections and benefits.

   
   

3. Ensure that at least 85 percent of the governing board is supportive through a straw poll.

   
   

4. If less than 85 percent is supportive, stop and spend more time studying and building relationships.

   
   

5. If 85 percent or more is supportive, proceed to the discussion of the open and affirming statement.

   
   

6. Following the discussion of the open and affirming statement, the governing board should vote to formally adopt the statement. It is recommended that the resolution pass by a margin of 85 percent or greater.

   
   

7. The governing board of the setting should ensure that its policies concerning employment encourage applications from persons of ALL gender and sexual identities and provide equal protections and benefits for gender and sexual minorities once they are employed by the setting.

   
   

8. Once the statement is adopted and the setting’s policies are amended to reflect the setting’s commitment to the inclusion of persons of all gender and sexual identities, the governing board should publish the statement with GLAD, the General Church (via Disciple Digest/Disciple News Service), and the setting’s website.

   
   

9. The setting should clearly brand itself as an Open and Affirming setting through the use of the GLAD logo and the words “an open and affirming (region, general unit, institution, ministry, etc.) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).”

   
   

10. The setting should hold a reception of some type to celebrate its commitment to inclusivity and its witness to justice as an Open and Affirming setting of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

    
    

    --Adopted October 2010