The Reconciling Congregation Program, now Reconciling Ministries Network, is a national network of United Methodist congregations and campus ministries which have publicly declared that they welcome the full participation of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation. Since the program began in 1984, over 175 congregations, campus ministries, and conferences around the country have declared themselves "reconciling." The national office in Chicago provides a variety of resources to nurture congregations in the process of becoming "reconciling" and to support church ministries with lesbian, gay and bisexual persons and their families.
Open The Doors was the Reconciling Congregation Program's national witness to the General Conference of The United Methodist Church which met at the Colorado Convention Center April 16-26, 1996. The General Conference, which meets every four years, is an elected congress of 1,000 United Methodist delegates from the USA, Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, which adopts official church policies. Past General Conferences have adopted policies which are unwelcoming toward lesbian, gay and bisexual persons and their families.
Over the months leading up to April, 10,000 Reconciling United Methodists across the country made witness to Open the Doors of the United Methodist Church to all persons, regardless of sexual orientation. Reconciling United Methodists met with their local delegates to General Conference, inviting them to support "open door" policies.
Dozens of Reconciling United Methodists from around the country came to Denver to boldly proclaim the Open the Doors message to United Methodists gathered for the General Conferences. Reconciling United Methodists in the Denver area actively prepared for this campaign during the several months leading up to April. A variety of special events happened, in addition to many "actions" in and around the General Conference. You may still sign up as a Reconciling United Methodist.
For more information, call or write:
Reconciling Ministries Network
3801 N. Keeler Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 736-5526
Or visit the Reconciling Ministries Network Web Site.