Evangelism for ONA churches
ONA: an opportunity for church growth
Successful ONA churches are congregations that learn how to become a visible and reliable presence in the LGBTQ community—especially when our basic rights are under attack, when LGBT youth aren’t protected in local schools from bullying, when LGBTQ seniors face abuse and neglect in retirement communities, and when alternative faith voices are needed in campaigns for equal protection under the law.
When ONA congregations are active and visible, they can grow. New members will include both LGBTQ seekers and young heterosexual couples who want their children to learn the faith in a church with the values ONA represents. Explore this page for best practices from growing ONA churches!
Workshop: ONA 201
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LGBT Evangelism
LGBT advocacy
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Learn best practices from growing ONA congregations. Evangelism with the LGBT community means being a dependable and visible ally.
“What’s Next?” workshops for ONA churches
The ONA Coalition’s executive director, Andy Lang, can lead workshops and training events for congregations exploring ways to expand or revive their Open and Affirming commitment. “Open and Affirming 201” includes tips for marketing, advertising, communications and advocacy, and includes a “Self-Evaluation Tool” for ONA churches that will help the congregation’s leadership answer the question, “What’s Next for our church?” Our programs are suitable for Conference or Association annual meetings, or for regional training events in local churches or seminaries. Please contact Andy at ed@openandaffirming.org to learn more.
The Open and Affirming Coalition advocates for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the United Church of Christ and beyond, and equips UCC congregations to become effective witnesses to Christ’s extravagant welcome. Read more