Open and Affirming is a designation used within our denomination for churches that are open, supportive, and affirming for LGBTQ+ persons.
When we say we are open, we mean it! Do you want to become a member? Serve as an elder or a deacon? Help with Sunday School? Serve on a church board? Become an employee of the Church? Regardless of who you are, our Church is open for all persons to find opportunities to serve and live out their faith.
But, we also recognize that there is a difference between being “open” and being “affirming.” At Central Christian Church, we affirm LGBTQ+ persons not despite our faith teachings, but because of our faith teachings.
In the summer of 2020 during a church book study, a group of members from our church came up with a list of 7 reasons why we affirm LGBTQ+ persons.
Are you interested in learning more about what it means that we are Open and Affirming? Pastor Paul would love to talk with you about it.
Our Welcome Statement
When Central Christian voted to become Open and Affirming, we also came up with a welcome statement. We said: “We seek to welcome all as God has welcomed us. We desire to build a church where everyone knows they are valued, where diversity is honored, and where everyone, no matter their race, ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or mental or physical capacity experiences the love of God.”
We hope that you will know we are serious about making our church a place of love and welcome for all – and all means all!
On Sunday, June 13 we held a special community worship service for Pride Month. The worship service was organized and led by members of the LGBTQ+ community.
One of the things we recognize is that the church has been a hurtful place for the LGBTQ+ community. We are committed to creating a safe place where all persons are valued and loved – not in spite of who they are, but because of who they are.
Check out this Logo!
Embodying our desire to welcome all, this logo was created by one of our youth.
The logo is inspired by the Progress Pride Flag, which takes the colors of the multi-colored rainbow flag and adds black and brown to represent marginalized communities of color. This logo expresses how our church is Open and Affirming, and it represents God’s unending love and welcome.
Central Christian Church - New Albany, IN 