In the 1970s, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Canada began a journey toward discovering and accepting the LGBTQ community. Since then, it has been a path of growth and understanding as the church has embraced the radical acceptance advocated by our founder, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.In the 1970’s the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Canada embarked on a road to discovery and acceptance of the LGBTQ community. Since then, it has been a journey of growth and understanding as the church actively embraced the radical acceptance preached by our founder, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
In 2018 the community of Christ the King Lutheran Church began to feel a need to articulate our belief in the saving power of God’s grace and our openness to the diversity of the body of Christ. So after much conversation and prayerful thought, it was at the 2019 AGM that the congregation adopted the following statement of Our Community:
“I welcome individuals from all walks of life, regardless of age, ability, cultural, ethnic, or socio-economic background, as well as gender identity and sexual orientation. I do this without judgment, even if my theological views or personal opinions differ on specific matters. I embrace diversity and invite everyone to be part of this church community. I support their involvement, including participation in leadership roles under the guidance of the Pastor and the Council. I am committed to creating a church where all individuals can receive pastoral care, partake in the sacraments, marry, and be considered for ministry, provided they meet Synod guidelines.”
Inspired by this declaration, our community has chosen to identify as a Reconciling in Christ community. This designation is how the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada expresses its commitment to recognizing congregations that affirm and welcome the LGBTQ community. As a community, we extend our welcome to all individuals, regardless of their background, and do not prioritise one group over another. Christ’s command is to love one another as we love ourselves.
Ultimately, as a community, we are inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ; we are a community that is faithful to the Gospel of Grace. Holding this in our hearts and minds, we proclaim the power of God’s gracious and faithful work that is always working around us. We are called to be workers in the Spirit, graciously sharing the gifts that we have been freely given for the good of our community. We journey alongside the broken-hearted and hurting, trusting in the love of Jesus to heal where there has been pain and disappointment. We trust that, above all, God’s love and grace are sufficient in all that we do. God’s love is boundless and his grace eternal.
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.” We are all welcome to Christ’s table.
