At Community of Christ, we believe that every person is created in the image of God and possesses sacred worth. Our faith calls us to embody Christ's love through radical hospitality, compassionate relationships, and communities where all people can experience belonging.

A welcoming and affirming congregation goes beyond simply saying, "Everyone is welcome." It intentionally creates space where LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and families are seen, respected, valued, and invited to participate fully in the life of the church, including worship, leadership, ministry, sacraments, and community life.

Many churches describe themselves as welcoming, but for LGBTQIA2S+ people, welcome without affirmation can still leave questions about whether they are truly accepted. Affirmation means recognizing that people are equally loved by God regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It means embracing people for who they are, not in spite of who they are.

This commitment is deeply rooted in Community of Christ's Enduring Principles, including Worth of All Persons, Unity in Diversity, Blessings of Community, and All Are Called. We believe that God's Spirit continues to lead us into deeper understanding, greater compassion, and more faithful expressions of Christ's inclusive love.

This page will soon feature books, articles, videos, discussion guides, theological resources, and practical tools to help individuals and congregations grow in their journey of becoming more welcoming and affirming communities.

We invite you to return soon as we continue building this collection of resources for learning, reflection, and faithful action.

Faith Unfiltered Podcast Episodes

wELCOMING AND aFFIRMING reSOURCES

More Resources Coming SOON!

Our Partnership With Harmony

The Inland West Mission Center is proud to partner with Harmony, an independent support organization that works to ensure the full participation of LGBTQIA2S+ people in the life of Community of Christ.

Harmony provides a wide variety of educational and spiritual resources for individuals, families, and congregations. These resources include Pride materials, book recommendations, and practical tools for addressing common questions and concerns about LGBTQIA2S+ inclusion. Harmony also offers resources designed to help congregations engage difficult conversations with compassion and understanding, including materials that address common objections and misconceptions.

Sacred Pause Worship 

In addition to educational resources, Harmony hosts Sacred Pause, a monthly online worship experience that creates space for connection, spiritual reflection, and community among LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, allies, families, and friends across the church.


Welcoming & Affirming Congregation Program

For congregations seeking to deepen their commitment to inclusion, Harmony sponsors the Welcoming & Affirming Program, a guided process of learning, reflection, conversation, and discernment. Through this journey, congregations explore Community of Christ theology, scripture, identity, hospitality, and practical ways to create safer and more affirming spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ people and their families.

Currently, the Inland West Mission Center is home to three Welcoming & Affirming congregations:


These congregations have completed the Welcoming & Affirming process and have publicly committed to affirming the full worth, giftedness, and participation of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals in all aspects of congregational life.

If your congregation would like to learn more about becoming Welcoming & Affirming, or if you are interested in beginning the discernment process, please contact our Mission Center President and Financial Officer, Michelle Phillips. Michelle serves as a trained congregational facilitator and would be happy to discuss the journey, answer questions, and help your congregation explore next steps.