Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is listed on the roster of “Reconciling in Christ” congregations by Lutherans Concerned / North America (LC/NA)– offering intentional welcome and hospitality to persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered. 

At its September 2009 meeting, in response to actions taken by the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Good Shepherd's Congregational Council voted that "Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is a congregation that chooses to recognize, support, and hold publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships."

The following information about the RIC program is from the website of LC/NA …  www.lcna.org

What is the Reconciling in Christ Program?
In 1984 Lutherans Concerned / North America started the Reconciling in Christ (“RIC”) program to recognize Lutheran congregations that welcome lesbian and gay believers.  During the 2002 LC/NA Assembly, members took action to include people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the RIC Program.  The RIC Roster now exceeds 400 settings, including congregations, synods, and organizations. 

All people are welcome here.  Why should we single out gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) people?
The RIC Program doesn’t seek special treatment for GLBT people.  The reality is, however, that we live in a time where the voices of fear and ignorance continue in public discussion of human sexuality issues in our society.   Most often, the church is perceived as speaking with a judgmental voice against GLBT persons.  Sometimes parents and families of GLBT persons are vilified and attacked by church members.

As a result, it is assumed by most GLBT people that they are not welcome in any church unless told otherwise.  Even a general statement of welcome is heard as really meaning “everybody but me,” so it takes a special effort to communicate the same welcome.  The RIC Program seeks to make clearer the policy of churches where all people are welcome as full members, regardless of their sexual orientation, their gender identity or that of their children, siblings, or friends.  

LC/NA’s Vision for the Church
Freed by God’s grace, the body of Christ on earth leads a joyous dance of transformation, integrating sexuality and spirituality, justice and mercy.  Through continuous reformation, the Church embraces in holiness and into wholeness people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, strengthening us for authentic, visible, faithful lives.  Dedicated to radical reconciliation, the Church falls into the heart of God’s passionate intent, co-creating a world without outcasts, calling all to serve as guests and hosts as God’s table of blessing and power.