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The Association of Welcoming |
About Statements of
In keeping with historic Baptist principles, the Association does not require adherence to a particular creed or statement of faith. Rather, each member congregation, as a part of its process of deciding to go on record as being W&A, has drafted its own unique Statement of Welcome and Affirmation. Many churches have chosen to include a Welcoming & Affirming phrase within church covenants or by-laws. What Does It Mean to be Welcoming and Affirming? 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, bisexual and transgender persons. Association members are committed to encouraging lesbian, gay and bisexual (lgbt) 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 bisexual and transgender people. Why is a Welcoming and Affirming Statement Necessary? 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, bisexual and transgender people, and the role of Baptists in advocating for people of all
sexual orientations within our churches, our Baptist bodies and society. What Should Be Covered in the W&A Statement? A specific welcome to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 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
lgbt persons know that they
are
included in that welcome? Your W&A statement should include clear wording of your welcome to them. How Should the Statement be Formulated? Each church or group 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 and
a desire to become members of AWAB. 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. Individuals need only write a few sentences explaining why being welcoming and affirming is important to them or indicate support AWAB's mission and purpose on the application form. Are There Sample Statements Available?
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
Church or
member groups and organizations for their suggestions or to ask any questions you
might have about their W&A process and the formulation of their statement. |
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