Historically, the Christian Church has been slow to embrace those whom society labels outsiders. This has included those who because of race, ethnicity, ability, gender, age or sexual orientation are outside what has been considered the norm. Following the 1991 Biennial in Charleston WV, a group of pastors and other concerned individuals formed the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (the "Association"). We believe that God created all humanity in God's image, and that includes not only heterosexual, but also homosexual and bisexual persons. Association members are committed to encouraging lesbian, gay and bisexual people to celebrate, nurture and count as sacred their sexuality as they would any other God given gift. We believe that sexual orientation should not be a basis for discrimination and that full partnership and participation within the community of believers should be extended to lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
In order to enter into association with "like-minded" individuals, it is important that we ask applicants for membership in the Association to make clear their views toward lesbian, gay and bisexual (Lesbigay) people, and the role of Baptists in advocating for people of all sexual orientations within our churches, our denomination and society.
However, in keeping with Baptist tradition of being a "non-creedal" people, we do not require members in the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists to adhere to a prescribed statement of belief or intent. Rather, we are asking that each congregation, group or individual member submit their own Welcoming & Affirming (W&A) statement.
A Welcome to gay, lesbian and bisexual people should be part of your statement. Most of our congregations assert that all people would be welcome in their church. Many have statements to that effect on signs and bulletin covers, yet most would not intend that welcome to apply to openly gay persons. What does it mean for you to be welcome to persons of all sexual orientations? How would lesbigay persons know that they are included in that welcome? Your W&A statement should include clear wording of your welcome to them.
An Affirmation of persons of bisexual, lesbian and gay sexual orientation and of their role in the church should also be part of your statement. Basically, this means that you affirm persons of all sexual orientations, without the expectation one be heterosexual or celibate in order to be a faithful Christian. Since their partners, relationships and significant life events are not recognized and celebrated, homosexual members often feel that they are second-class citizens in our churches. What are some of the ways you show your affirmation of lesbigay persons? How are they included in the life and ministry of your congregation? Do you have support groups or other ministries specifically for sexual minorities? Your W&A statement could include some of the ways you are, or intend to be, affirming.
Each church is free to use whatever process is useful for them. Some churches form a task force to draft a statement, while others use an existing board or study group. It may be a separate Welcoming & Affirming statement or W&A wording within by-laws or mission statement. For some churches, approving a statement means taking a vote after a long period of study and planning; others use the W&A process to formalize in writing an established stance; while others need only submit documentation of a history of welcome and affirmation. In any case, churches and organizations joining the Association should submit a statement that publicly expresses their stand on the issue, not only for the understanding of the Association but also as a part of their own records. This will help to ensure that the current understanding of the W&A stance is not lost as leadership changes.
Along with the statement, please submit a summary of your history and/or the process by which you have become Welcoming & Affirming, along with the date and circumstances of the statement's final approval and/or your decision to join the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists. If your process included a church or board decision, please include a copy of the minutes (or relevant portion) of the meeting when a decision was reached or a vote taken, if possible.
Sample statements from churches and individuals are available from the Association, on request. Membership in the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists is a matter of public record. Feel free to contact any Association members for their suggestions or to ask any questions you might have about their W&A process and the formulation of their statement.
The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists is growing in number and diversity. We welcome the variety of individual W&A statements because they reflect the creativity and diversity of our churches. The purpose of these guidelines is to assist you in the process of drafting your W&A statement, and to ensure some commonality of intent while at the same time allowing for the individuality of process and ministry of our membership.
Write to the Association if you have further questions or suggestions. We would be pleased to provide feedback on your W&A process and your draft statements of Welcome and Affirmation..
Daniel Pryfogle, Interim Director
The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists, PO Box 42544, Washington, DC 20015
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Copyright, The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, 2003. All Rights Reserved.