Over 500 United Methodist communities have gone through the Reconciling process. These communities have approved a statement that specifically names a welcome of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Churches, Sunday School classes, campus ministries, and annual conference groups strengthen the Reconciling Ministries Network through their witness for a fully inclusive church.

This explicit welcome is necessary because our United Methodist Church holds official policies that exclude lesbian and gay people from the full life of the Church. While the enforcement of the policies is often diminished by “don’t ask, don’t tell” behavior, the spiritual harm is done.
Bisexual and transgender people have not been denied as a matter of policy, but there is much that can be done to provide warmth and welcome.

Reconciling Journeys

The journey toward Reconciling affiliation has been undertaken by individuals,  United Methodist groups and committees, Annual Conferences, and ecumenical collaborations. The Reconciling process will take intentional planning, educating, organizing and lmall groups, congregations, various levels of living into the vision of a fully inclusive church and world. This process will take time – how much time will depend on the starting point of the discussion and the diligence in pursuing the goal. If the topic of homosexuality has never been addressed in any way, it will probably take two or three years of planning and ministering. If your community already has some degree of welcome, then it can take less time. In either case, the community needs to become aware of the people, the issues, the language and the stories of LGBT people – then the open hand of welcome can be extended with hopefulness that it will be received.more

Reconciling Process Webinar Series

Learn more about the Reconciling process and how to engage your congregation through a series of monthly online seminars (webinars) on six key topics related to planning, implementing and completing your church’s reconciling process. In addition to gaining new skills and perspectives on ways to engage members of your congregation, community and campus ministry in the Reconciling process, this webinar series hopes to bridge our geographic divides creating community out of isolation. Participants will be encouraged to create plans for application and ask questions at the conclusion of each webinar. If you’re unable to attend a webinar, the video presentation will be posted as a link below one week following the webinar.

To Register or learn more contact Rachel Harvey, RMN Associate Executive Director

Webinar Schedule:

1. (8pm EST / 7pm CST / 6PM MDT / 5pm PST each month)
2. Sunday, April 3rd – Congregational Readiness Assessment and Identifying Interests
3. Sunday, May 1st – Positive Messages and Framing Reconciling Questions
4. Sunday, September 18th– Overcoming common Barriers and Conflict Management
5. Sunday, October 9 – Bible 101
6. Sunday, November 6th – Good Resources and Using Them Well
7. Sunday, December 4th – Welcoming Statements and How to Vote Peacefully

* A webinar is a presentation or meeting shared over the internet. Because it is a two-way connection, the presenter has the ability to speak, share computer information, and even answer questions, and participants can use typed chat or audio participation to ask questions and join in the discussion. For more information, visit the FAQs at Go To Webinar: http://www.gotomeeting.com/fec/webinar/webinar_support

Resources for the Journey:

How to Get Started in Your Community
Reconciling team survey – to assess your congregation
Sample Reconciling Statements
Three Steps to Affiliate With Reconciling Ministries Network
Saddlebags – Some of Our Best Resources Bundled at a Discount
Resources available through RMN