RLC is proud to be a Reconciling in Christ congregation, following the adoption of our welcome statement on May 4, 2025.

The community of Resurrection Lutheran Church welcomes all people because Jesus Christ welcomes us, loves us, and reconciles us to God and to one another. We believe that God gathers us together by the gift of baptism, strengthens us to love our neighbors, and sends us out into our community. We are called to do justice, to love mercy, and to serve humbly, following the example of Jesus.

You are welcome regardless of age, appearance, language, race, nationality, immigration status, brain or physical health, addiction, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political values, history of incarceration, economic status, place on your faith journey, or anything else that distinguishes between people. We are committed to the work of anti-hunger, anti-racism, and breaking down barriers that divide us from one another.

We welcome you to participate fully in the life and ministries of Resurrection Lutheran Church: attend services and events, receive communion, join as a member, fill leadership roles, belong in community, teach, serve, learn, and above all, feel loved and safe. 

What is RIC?

The Reconciling in Christ (RIC) team at RLC works to create a congregational culture of welcome, understanding, and inclusion of the diverse family of God. In particular, the goal of the RIC team is to work with the congregation to create and adopt a welcome statement that affirms the full participation and sacredness of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The team also works to  affirm the dignity and worth of people of all races, social backgrounds, ages, abilities, and more. In this, we reflect our love for God and our neighbors.

How does this work?

Here's a little timeline:

Resurrection Lutheran formed a RIC team in May '23. That team has had 1:1 conversations with members, participated in "Building an Inclusive Church" training, and shared in church-wide communications about their commitments to inclusion (you can read more below). We've had Bible studies and book studies, as well as a panel from neighbor congregations sharing their experience becoming RIC.

One of the questions that sometimes comes up is, "but what about the Bible?"

We take the Bible very seriously! In Scripture, we see evidence of a God who cares for those who have been excluded and who welcomes those who are diverse. You can read more about interpretations of the Bible that include and affirm LGBTQ+ people here: Why do some Christians believe it's okay to be gay, when the Bible says it isn't? and Brief Biblical Case for LGBTQ Inclusion. In other words, we're doing this because of our faith, not in spite of it.

More Resources:
The RIC team works through conversation, education, and reflection. Some resources are linked below to help in discernment and learning. (Links are in bold print.)

Reconciling Works, the organization that works with Lutheran churches to become Reconciling in Christ

Queer Grace Encyclopedia, an online encyclopedia for LGBTQIA+ and Christian Life, especially:

Why do some Christians believe it's okay to be gay, when the Bible says it isn't?

L, G, B, T, Q, Q, I, A... What Do All the Letters Mean?

The Reformation Project, a Bible-based Christian organization with the mission to advance LGBTQ inclusion in the church, especially their Brief Biblical Case for LGBTQ Inclusion

This video from Edina Lutheran Church about their experience as a RIC congregation

The RIC team also works through storytelling, connecting our experiences with our hopes for reconciliation. The following are reflections from RLC members about why this work matters to them.

J.W. Wartick: Why I Changed My Mind About Inclusion

Kara Califf: Why I Hope RLC Will Become RIC

Tannis Petersburg: Why LGBTQ+ Inclusion Matters

Jerry and Cindy Tonneson: Why Anti-Racism Matters