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The Association of Welcoming |
Joining AWAB Membership in the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists is available to churches. Organizations, groups and individuals who desire to enter into association with others and support AWAB may become a Friend of AWAB. Together we are working to foster greater inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons within Baptist bodies. Together, churches and groups "go on record" as being welcoming and affirming. For churches, we network and build community, provide educational opportunities and materials, offer referrals and take denominational political action. On the individual level, we work to provide support, education and advocacy for LGBT people and their families within Baptist bodies and those excluded from faith communities because of sexual orientation or gender identity. Being a Friend of AWAB is open to inclusive minded people who wish to support our mission. Our origin is American Baptist and denominationally, we still are most active within the ABC. But as we strive to be the National Voice for LGBT Baptists our community is expanding. Membership for Churches and Becoming an Individual Friend of AWAB CONGREGATIONS - The membership of the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists is composed of Baptist congregations, primarily American Baptist and Alliance of Baptist churches who offer welcome and affirmation to lesbian, gay and bisexual and transgender persons and who wish to enter into association with like-minded congregations for the purpose of networking, education, advocacy, and support. LOCAL AFFILIATED GROUPS - Welcoming & Affirming Baptists or American Baptists Concerned chapters are associated with AWAB but have their own structure and governance. These groups share the same inclusive principles and welcoming and affirming membership guidelines as the national organization. These groups can be associated through churches or as self contained local or regional groups. FRIENDS OF AWAB - Being a Friend of AWAB is open to groups and organizations. Friends of the Association include: non-Baptist churches; groups and agencies which are not structurally connected with Baptist bodies, such as student groups, pastoral counseling centers, etc. Membership Procedures for Churches
Individual Friend of AWAB Procedures |
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