Gay? Straight? Same-sex attracted (SSA)? Trans? Queer? Celibate? Unsure? Whatever language describes you best, you are welcome here.
Artisan Church aims to hold a space of belonging for everyone in our community. Gender identity and sexuality are not barriers to participation at any level of leadership.
Similarly, different convictions regarding sexuality are welcome here. In the Christian church, folks often ask if a congregation is “affirming” or “traditional” when it comes to the church’s perspective on sexuality. True to our Anabaptist roots, we choose a “third way” in answering this question. Here, we engage theology honestly and with nuance. Regardless of where you land or how your faith changes–you can still belong.
If this leaves you with more questions than you came with, we invite you to read our Milestone Statement on 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. This statement is an eight-page letter to our community, written by our Staff and Lead Team in January 2021. It shares our community’s journey in arriving here, clearly expresses policy around leadership and sexual orientation, and addresses crucial questions like, “Does my sexual orientation restrict me from getting married in this community?” (Spoiler: no.)
We ask that whatever perspectives you hold on sex and gender, you do so with kindness and humility, and with God’s good and patient love for others.
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Milestone Statement on 2SLGBTQ+ InclusionThis Milestone Statement (“Statement”) reflects the work of the Lead Team and Pastoral Team, who have been engaged in an ongoing Discernment Process over the past four years. We offer the Milestone Statement with deep reverence for both God and our community — holding particular respect for those who will be most directly impacted by Artisan’s position here, namely those in our community who identify as LGBTQ+ and/or SSA. |