At the 2024 Central States Synod Assembly, we adopted a resolution to become a Reconciling in Christ Synod, a public statement of welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions as well as a commitment to the work of racial equity. The resolution also included the adoption of the following statement of welcome:
Traveling the way of Jesus, who commanded his followers to love one another as Christ has loved, and believing that all persons are created in the image of God, this synod welcomes people of every race, background, age, political affiliation, economic and social status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and mental and physical ability. As a synod we strive to enable all people to participate fully in the life and work of the church in the ministry of Jesus Christ.
I am often asked why such a statement is necessary. We know that Jesus loves everyone, and that everyone is welcome. Why then do we point out and name specific groups of people, such as the LGBTQIA+ community? Because our neighbors need our specific and direct words of affirmation, welcome, care, and love. I have always appreciated Martin Luther’s response on why we do good works. He states that we do good works, which includes our words, not to earn a reward for ourselves, not to prove our righteousness, but because our neighbor needs them.[1]
Our neighbors who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community have heard the public proclamation from our newly inaugurated president that their lives and relationships are not recognized in the government policy[2] if they do not conform to a binary understanding of gender identity. This makes it even more vital that they hear the message of God’s word that those in the Queer community, those who are transgendered, and those who are non-binary in their gender expression and understanding are beloved of God and reflect the image of God in whom they are made.
As the bishop and pastor of the synod, I publicly proclaim that you who are part of the Queer community are brave and beautiful. You reflect the incredible diversity of God’s creation. You refuse to conform to binary limited categories that seek to define your personhood. You instead trust who God has created and called you to be, continuing to witness to the love of God and the ways we can express that love through our communities where all are welcome.
As the bishop and pastor of the synod, I also publicly say to those who view the government policy as a reflection of Biblical teaching, that you are no less one of God’s beloved. I believe that you do desire to live faithfully and do good works out of love for your neighbor. But I urge you for the sake of your neighbor to open your hearts even wider, to wrestle with those Biblical teachings, that you might hear Scripture as a beautiful love story between God and God’s people, remembering that the purpose of Scripture is to reveal Christ, the Word of God dwelling among us. As the gospel of John puts it,
These things are written so that you might come to believe (trust) that Jesus is the Messiah, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31
For Christ is the one who is reconciling us to one another. It is hard to see at times how we can come together across so many differences, but in Christ, we are already one body. May we continue to reflect on the reconciling work of Christ, be merciful to one another, walk humbly with one another, and reflect the love of God for all creation in all our words and actions. Our neighbors, those who are part of the Queer community, those who are immigrants, those who are the most vulnerable, need not only our statements of welcome but our bold and loving actions. This is indeed the work of the church.
[1] The Freedom of a Christian 1520: The Annotated Luther Study Edition, translated by Timothy J. Wengert, copyright © 2016 Fortress Press.
[2] Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government. Presidential Actions January 20, 2025