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The Association of Welcoming |
Frequently Asked Questions about AWAB Membership Is Your Church Thinking about Joining AWAB?
In this section I will address some representative questions that come from churches and individuals that are considering becoming a part of the network of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists. What is the official policy of the American Baptist Churches regarding homosexuality? The ABC/USA is a very diverse denomination, with a variety of beliefs on many issues. Throughout our history we have struggled and often disagreed on many social issues including slavery, the role of women in the church, abortion, and more recently homosexuality. Since the local American Baptist church is autonomous, it is free to call its own pastors and make its own decisions in matters of faith and practice. Resolutions and policy statements passed at the regional and national level are informative, but not binding on the local church. In 1992 the General Board of the ABCUSA defeated a resolution by direct vote and later passed by mail ballot a similar statement reading, "We affirm that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching." In 1993 the General Board passed a subsequent resolution "Calling for Dialogue on Human Sexuality" which acknowledges "a variety of understandings throughout our denomination on issues of human sexuality such as homosexuality" and calls for dialogue and mutual respect. A later Commission on Denominational Unity again recognized the diversity of understandings among us and encouraged American Baptists to study, pray, and seek common ground. We are already welcoming and affirming of lesbian and gay people and have several church members who are gay, and some are even serving on boards. Our church sign says "All Are Welcome." We don't want to exclude anyone. We don't list all the other groups that we don't exclude. Why do we need to specific about sexual orientation? If you already have some gay members in your church, you probably feel that you are clear about your welcome to lgbt (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people. But we have learned that unless a church has engaged in a process of discussion and decision about this issue, there are probably a lot of assumptions and misconceptions about what that welcome really means. There may be many persons in your congregation who are willing to have gay people in the church, even as leaders, as long as no one talks about it. But this silence can be very destructive. It is destructive not only to your church as a whole, but also those members of your church family who are lgbt themselves or the family and friends of glbt persons. They are receiving an implicit message that they are welcome to participate in the life of your church only if they remain in the closet. It is difficult, if not impossible, to make connections between one's faith and one's life if one never hears one's own reality named and can never share the joys and struggles of one's life. A second and equally important reason is that glbt persons, seeing your church sign, will assume that they are not welcome unless you are specific in your welcome to them. Almost every church says that they welcome all people. Glbt people have learned, often through painful personal experiences, that churches do not want them unless they change or hide. They will not visit you for worship nor take advantage of your church's programming. If you want lgbt people to feel welcome, you will need to tell them that you do include them in that welcome. Our church decided long ago that we wouldn't discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. We even have a clause in our by-laws and a statement in our Sunday bulletin that says so. We march in gay pride and have even had a union service in our sanctuary. Why should we join your organization when we already clearly welcome and affirm lgbt people? There are many reasons for making your statement more public and extending your welcome beyond your church walls. But, in short, why wouldn't you want to go on record as being Welcoming & Affirming? There is much to be gained — by your congregation, by other welcoming churches, by individuals in need of support, and by your denomination — by your willingness to stand up and be counted. Your congregation will gain in your outreach to those seeking a church home as you will be listed on the Web and in publications such as The InSpiriter and Open Hands, an ecumenical welcoming publication. We consider "membership" in AWAB similar to participation in any mission program — we engage in mission in order to do together what we cannot do alone. By working with other W&A congregations, you provide workshops and worship at ABC Biennial meetings; you provide resources to help other churches explore sexuality issues; you find churches or pastoral support for people who live in other areas; you help publish Open Hands and you send The InSpiriter without charge; and you are now planting new W&A congregations in places where they are needed. Your church's financial contribution and involvement in the work of the Association means that your congregation is doing all this and more. (See also "Why Join?") How much are the annual church membership dues? There is no set amount for required for membership. However, our budget is supported primarily by the generous gifts of our member congregations. We do not consider donations from members as "dues" but rather have the expectation that member congregations will support AWAB financially, preferably by including AWAB in their annual mission budget. We suggest a minimum of $100 yearly for a small church; larger churches are able to give $1000 or more. One way some churches determine their fair amount is to budget for AWAB a figure equal to 10% of the church's annual mission budget. Another way is to consider the average cost share per church in the current AWAB budget and increase or decrease that amount depending on the church's resources. However, regardless of the amount, we encourage that giving to AWAB be considered a special project in mission giving and not be deducted from a congregation's current United Mission support. I know that the church I serve as pastor will not decide to be welcoming and affirming any time soon, but as a supporter of AWAB myself, I wonder how a person might become a member and not just a contributor. Individuals are always welcome to become members of AWAB. We set up an "individual member" category for just such situations you mention. That way we have you on our list for networking, rapid response, etc., even if your church is not ready to take such a step. You will find an individual membership application form on our Web site. As part of your application you will need to submit a statement in which you describe what it means to you to welcome and affirm glbt people. There is a section on the Web site that explains this as well. I look forward to receiving your application! (See also "How to Join") |
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