About the RIC Journey

ReconcilingWorks believes representation matters. So we are excited to have a NEW Reconciling in Christ (RIC) logo! Inspired by the Progressive Pride Flag design, these updates to the RIC logo include the colors blue, pink, and white to represent our transgender siblings, as well as a black and brown stripe, to represent the fullness of our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Community brings to the queer community.

Philly Pride Flag

Transgender Pride Flag

Progressive Pride Flag

Since 1983, the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program has been a public way for faith communities to see, name, celebrate, and advocate for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions in the Lutheran church. The RIC Program is made up of congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, outdoor ministries, and other Lutheran organizations.

Every ministry setting begins this journey from their own unique context and ReconcilingWorks is here to help you create an authentic welcome journey that is customized to your community.

The purpose of the RIC Program is to ensure the welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; work for racial equity and commit to anti-racist work and support the national program.

RIC Partners Public Commitments:

  1. Your community explicitly states a welcome to people of “all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions” or “LGBTQIA+” and names its commitment to "racial equity" or "anti-racism" in its welcome statement.
  2. Open to calling an LGBTQIA+ and Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Rostered Leader.
  3. Will allow community space/sanctuary to be used for LGBTQIA+ weddings and blessings.
  4. Will make a meaningful contribution annually to support the national RIC program.

This holy ministry is about living the journey by creating ongoing milestones to help you deepen and expand your community's welcome. Where is your faith community on this journey of welcome, inclusion, and celebration?

Congregations
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The Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Journey can begin with simply one person who desires to specifically welcome LGBTQIA+ people into their midst. Each congregation that lives out the RIC Journey, does so in a way that is unique and authentic to their community. By engaging in a welcoming process, the faith life of the community deepens. As members participate in dialogue with one another, they practice putting their faith into speech and then action, creating a more vibrant spiritual community. Reconciling in Christ congregations are sources of hope and support to many LGBTQIA+ folks, families, and friends as they provide safe worshiping spaces and a place where ALL can grow in faith and in community.
Synods
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Reconciling in Christ (RIC) synods have extended a public welcome to people of sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. RIC synods serve as witnesses not only to LGBTQIA+ people in the area, but also to congregations within the synod and to the wider church. RIC synods have formed standing committees or task forces whose primary focus is on the work of this public welcome and RIC Journey through many ways, including but not limited to: serving as a congregational and synodical resource, candidacy committee work, advocating, providing resources, hosting "Building an Inclusive Church" trainings, and more. Synods can start their journey in a variety of ways. For more information, head over to our "Churchwide Engagement" tab for resources like "A Synod's Guide to RIC" and more.
All Other Ministry Settings
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Not only can congregations and synods become Reconciling in Christ (RIC), but all other Lutheran ministry settings can be as well. Whether you are a campus ministry, camp/outdoor ministry, seminary, college, mission startup or another organization, ReconcilingWorks welcomes ALL to participate in the welcome, inclusion, and celebration of LGBTQIA+ people. For those ministry settings discerning the RIC Journey, a great first step would be to browse through the resources on our "Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program" tab, as well as connect with the governing board of your organization. Each ministry setting will create a statement extending a public welcome to people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions, which will then be brought forward to their board for an official vote.

Want to know more?

Check out this video recording from the 2021 Southeastern Synod Assembly workshop with ReconcilingWorks, learning more about what it means to be Reconciling in Christ, and how your faith community can begin the journey.