ONA: "Open-n-Affirming"
Why is ONA needed?
Unfortunately, there are many gay Christians that do not feel welcome in churches unless the churches are identified as "Open and Affirming", ONA. How sad that these Christians cannot easily find a church home where they can safely practice their faith and feel welcome.
Silence can speak volumes.. There is a prevailing attitude that nothing special needs to be said... to be done. I have heard so often "they are welcome here... why do we need to hang out a sign? Why do they need something special?" Our silence says nothing to gay Christians. Nothing that is... except that maybe nothing has changed. They do not know they are welcome. Our silence only serves to allows the more vocal right wing to speak for "the Christian". Christian churches have opposed the acceptance of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people for so long that congregations which are welcoming must make known their change of mind, their repentance of homophobia. An Open and Affirming stance is indication of this change.
Here is something that Christians can work together to accomplish, a chance to make a real difference. Until congregations face this issue, really understand it and make necessary changes, it is doubtful that they will ever realize how important it is. The conventional wisdom has always been that "We don't exclude anyone". But far more than accepting or tolerating the gay Christian, congregations need to understand the issue, publicly state their openness showing that other Christian organizations do not speak for them, ensure there is absolutely no doubt as to where they stand, and as Christians, fully welcome their Gay brothers and sisters in Christ.
My personal note.
The church family and their support is so important to me and until
they are comfortable with the issue of homosexuality and Christianity and
understand it and the love Ken and I share, I will not have what everyone
else already has, support of the Christian family. In 2000, Ken was
in the hospital in Intensive Care. As you can imagine, this was a very
difficult time for me and a time when I needed the support of the church.
Our pastor asked that Ken be remembered in our prayers and Ken was identified
as a friend of mine. How different the feeling and the church reaction
from what would have happened if he was telling them about a wife of husband
of some other member that was in ICU. I realized at that moment why
my church will need to make this journey and why it is important to me.
I need to be out in the church and I need my Christian friends to share
in my love.
Since then, I have come out to my church and the discussions have begun.I have a lot of wonderful support yet there will be some challanges for sure. I am also very hopeful about the future. I have written a little piece I hope to read in my church some day. It talkes about The Cost of Silence. --Jim
ONA is for all of us....
The UCC Position:
The UCC's General Synod and other national bodies have encouraged the entire church to be "open and affirming" to gay, lesbian and bisexual people as members and leaders, although openness varies from church to church within the denomination. The central affirmation of an ONA congregation is that "gay, lesbian, and bisexual people" (or "people of all sexual orientations") are welcome in the full life and ministry of the church. The 1985 General Synod "Open and Affirming" Resolution Text
Some relevant links:
The Cost of Silence
United Church of Christ home page
The UCC
Open and Affirming program
UCC Fact Sheet: Hate
crimes
NH Conference, UCC, Web Site