When you contact these groups, ask them to add your congregation to their list of resources, and to refer people to you who are looking for a local church to attend. Many GLBT people searching for churches to attend tell us that they visit our Past Services page on our website to get ideas about where they might be welcome. 4 Place a note in the weekly Order Of Worship that states that you welcome absolutely everyone. In your literature area and on your bulletin boards, display literature about GLBT people and their issues , and about what your church and its members are doing about them. For general literature that would communicate that LesBiGay people are welcome in your congregation, include Integrity brochures.
Little things are often the most important.
What will really make people feel welcome, and what will make them want to return to your church, is inclusion in all aspects of church life. Encourage them to incorporate these suggestions when they write new material, and to consider rephrasing readings, announcements, curricula, etc. which they prepare or present. They can indicate that they have updated or modified the language, if they choose. 7 Accord full acknowledgment and respect to each person and to each person s family, however they define it . There are few more demoralizing and alienating experiences for anyone than to be told, explicitly or implicitly, that their siblings, parents, children, partners, etc. are not really their family.