Your church’s ONA covenant is the beginning, not the end, of your journey of faith!
An Open and Affirming church keeps its word of welcome by living according to its commitments. Your ONA covenant is an opportunity to grow, to build new relationships, and to become a visible and trusted partner with your LGBTQ neighbors and their families!
Step
1
Organize a standing ONA ministry team
Your ministry team can include members of the task force that guided your church through the ONA process, and can expand to include others who support the values of your ONA covenant. The team should meet monthly, report regularly to your congregation’s governing board, and keep the congregation informed of opportunities for ONA ministry and mission in your community. The team should work closely with committees in the congregation responsible for evangelism, worship and advocacy.
Step
2
Connect your congregation with the ONA Coalition
The Coalition funds and resources the ONA movement and can support your congregation as you continue on your ONA journey. Periodically ask interested members of the congregation to subscribe to the Coalition’s email newsletters. The Coalition’s information services keep ONA churches updated on the latest news and resources from our movement and share best practices from growing ONA congregations. Participate in our continuing series of ONA webinars designed for congregations like yours.
Step
3
Start planning for evangelism and advocacy
When ONA churches are visible allies, they gain the trust of the LGBTQ community and attract not only LGBTQ seekers, but also straight seekers who identify with ONA values. LGBTQ evangelism and advocacy should be a priority for every ONA congregation. Using the resources at the bottom of this page as a template, discuss ways your congregation can effectively build relationships with your LGBTQ neighbors. Consider creating pronoun buttons or stickers for use on Sundays and practice introducing yourselves with your pronouns as part of your introduction. Remember, pronouns should never be assumed and this alerts visitors that this congregation takes personal pronouns and names seriously.
Step
4
Connect with other ONA congregations
Contact your UCC Conference office to ask if there’s an ONA Coalition or Team in the Conference, and ask to participate. If there’s no Conference-wide ONA network, volunteer to work with Conference staff and other ONA churches to organize one. If there are a number of ONA churches in your area, plan to attend the nearest annual Pride parade as a group. If you’d like to connect with an experienced ONA church that can mentor you through your first year as an ONA congregation, contact the Coalition at katrina@openandaffirming.org.
Step
5
Let your light shine!
Post a rainbow comma or other rainbow image prominently on your website, your Sunday bulletin, and other publications. Post your ONA covenant on your website and link to the Coalition’s website. Display a rainbow sign, flag or banner outside your church. Advertise in local media—especially before Pride Sunday (the last Sunday in June)—and include the rainbow comma as a visual that will clearly communicate your commitment to ONA inclusion. Renew your ONA covenant annually and be sure to publicize the event.
Step
6
Support the ONA Coalition
The Open and Affirming Coalition is an independent non-profit and receives no regular funding from the national setting of the church—although we work in close partnership with the UCC’s national ministries. Since 1985, when the Coalition launched the UCC’s national ONA program, our budget has depended on contributions from individuals and ONA churches. By pledging an annual gift to the Coalition, your church will help us reach our goal: a UCC in which every congregation can offer a confident and authentic welcome to the LGBTQ community. Write the Coalition at office@openandaffirming.org for more information. Ask for copies of the Coalition brochure and keep them in stock for your members and visitors. With your support, we can strengthen and grow the ONA movement.
Step
7
Evaluate the effectiveness of your ONA ministries
After six months or a year, this Self-Evaluation Tool for ONA Churches will help your congregation’s leadership assess the effectiveness of your ONA covenant. Explore this website to discover new ideas for ONA mission, ministry, mission, advocacy and evangelism!
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 LGBTQ seekers, seekers who are allies of the LGBTQ community, and young couples who want their children to learn the faith in a church with the values ONA represents.
Download the PDF of our ONA NEXT webinar: best practices we’ve learned from active and thriving ONA congregations!
