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The Reformation Project is a Bible-based, Christian grassroots organization that works to promote inclusion of LGBTQ people by reforming church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity. Our vision is of a global church that fully affirms LGBTQ people.

 

A Bible-Based, Gospel-Centered Approach to LGBTQ Inclusion

The Reformation Project is a Bible-based, Christian organization that works to promote inclusion of LGBTQ people by reforming church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity. We envision a global church that fully affirms LGBTQ people.

 
 
 

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Five months ago, our beloved friend and tireless champion Rachel Held Evans passed away after a sudden, debilitating illness. Her loss grieved and shook thousands upon thousands of people whose lives she profoundly touched, including countless LGBTQ Christians who credit her writing, her voice, and her advocacy as transformative in their own lives and faith journeys. . But while Rachel's death has left a void for so many, the void has been greatest for her family. As we've thought through how we'd like to honor Rachel at our Reconcile and Reform conference this fall, we've wanted to be able to create something for her family that commemorates the extraordinary impact that she had on the lives of LGBTQ Christians in particular. . So at our conference next month, we'll be inviting attendees to contribute to a memorial scrapbook, sharing what Rachel meant to them and the impact that she had on their lives. We're also inviting anyone to contribute, regardless of whether you're able to come to the conference and regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity—we welcome contributions from straight allies as well as LGBTQ Christians. . If you’d like to contribute, please visit reformationproject.org/rachel to learn how. Submissions must be postmarked or e-mailed by Friday, October 25. . Once our lead volunteer has received all of the contributions via mail and e-mail, she will put them together in a memorial scrapbook that she will bring to Seattle from November 7-9. Conference attendees can then add their contributions there in person. After the conference, we will send the completed book to Rachel's family for them to keep. . It is still hard for us to accept that Rachel isn't with us anymore, but the impact she had on our lives most certainly is. Thank you to everyone who will contribute to this gift for her family. Please help us spread the word to anyone you think may like to contribute!
Are you interested in attending Reconcile and Reform next month in Seattle but are held back by your budget? If you commit to volunteer for at least six hours during the conference weekend, you can register for the volunteer rate of only $25. . There are just 20 spots remaining for volunteers, so if you're interested, e-mail us today at volunteer@reformationproject.org! Learn more about the conference, from speakers to the schedule, at reformationproject.org/conference.
We are now just one month away from our Reconcile and Reform conference, and we're already set to have a packed house at Plymouth Congregational Church in Seattle. . If you would like to spread the word about your church, seminary, or nonprofit organization to our attendees, there is just one week left to sign up to sponsor the conference. There are various sponsorship packages, with perks ranging from exhibit booths to up to 10 complimentary registrations and the opportunity to show a promotional video about your organization's work in one of our plenary sessions. . TRP's Reconcile and Reform conference is an ideal place to showcase your organization if you'd like LGBTQ-affirming Christians to know about it and get involved, so select a sponsorship package by the October 14 deadline if you're interested: reformationproject.org/conference (click the "sponsorships" button). . We can't wait to welcome everyone to Seattle next month!
Ticket prices for Reconcile and Reform rise at midnight EDT tonight, and there are only three days left before the conference hotel releases the rooms it's been holding for us at a discounted rate to the general public. . We've already blown through last year's total number of hotel reservations, so the Crowne Plaza in downtown Seattle has generously increased our room block (although with a higher rate for the Thursday night of the conference, as they are almost sold out that night). Go here to make a reservation: book.passkey.com/go/2019reformationproject. . The Crowne Plaza is directly across the street from Plymouth Congregational Church, where our main sessions will be held, and most of our workshops will be held at the hotel, so it's an ideal place to stay. But even our extended room block is selling quickly, so reserve your room today if you haven't yet in order to guarantee a space. We can't wait to see everyone in Seattle in just over a month!
Our Reconcile and Reform conference is just five weeks away, and now is the best time to sign up if you haven't yet—ticket prices rise at the end of the day tomorrow! . If you share our love for God, the Bible, and the church and are passionate about advancing LGBTQ inclusion in the church, register today to join us in Seattle from November 7-9: reformationproject.org/conference. We can't wait to see so many of you there!
As many denominations and congregations remain deeply divided over LGBTQ inclusion, one of the main obstacles in the way of further progress is the concern among non-affirming Christians that becoming affirming will lead to a broad unraveling of Christian beliefs across the board. . In many ways, these concerns are understandable, as whenever a community comes to terms with having gotten a major issue wrong, it inevitably raises questions about what else it might have gotten wrong. Asking those questions is healthy and important, but without guidance and support, it can quickly become overwhelming—leading a community either to retreat from the questions altogether or to dive so deep into the questions that it's no longer clear which beliefs are up for grabs and which aren't. Both approaches can be destabilizing for LGBTQ-affirming Christians who are seeking ongoing nourishment and support in their faith after coming out or becoming affirming. . At TRP, a core part of our mission is helping to provide the guidance and support that Christians and churches need to change their theology on LGBTQ inclusion in a way that strengthens rather than weakens their most important faith commitments: the authority of the Bible, the beliefs many of us recite in ancient creeds each week, our appreciation for the value of the Christian tradition, and our love for the church itself. At Reconcile and Reform this November 7-9, Dr. Jim Brownson will speak on "What Do We Mean By An Affirming Church?", helping to provide needed clarity about what should and should not change in our theology as a result of becoming affirming. . Dr. Brownson shares: “TRP is one of the world leaders in LGBTQ inclusion, and I am very happy to be a part of this conference. More than ever, churches are grappling with these questions, and more than ever, conservative critics are making the case that LGBTQ inclusion is incompatible with Christian orthodoxy. So the need for a strongly biblical and theologically sensitive treatment of these issues has never been greater, and I am looking forward to contributing to the conversation at Reconcile and Reform!” . Join us: reformationproject.org/conference.
From the Southern Baptist Convention to large evangelical megachurches, the #MeToo movement has pulled back the curtain on how tragically pervasive sexual harassment and assault are, not just in our society at large, but in the church as well. . When we read those headlines and stories, we don't always recognize the links between them and the exclusion of LGBTQ people in the church. This fall at Reconcile and Reform, Dr. Cheryl Anderson will speak on why the #MeToo movement matters for LGBTQ inclusion—and how complementarian theology when it comes to gender is essential to address in order to help churches make the transition from non-affirming to affirming on LGBTQ inclusion. . Dr. Anderson shares: “I have found TRP conferences to offer a special opportunity for both learning and inspiration. As a United Methodist, that opportunity is particularly important this year. My denomination is grappling with the issue of LGBTQ inclusion as never before, and I'll need new knowledge and inspiration to continue the struggle for God's justice that lies ahead. I'm ready to be with the TRP community again!” . Dr. Anderson is professor of Old Testament at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and the author of Ancient Laws, Contemporary Controversies. She has spoken at multiple TRP conferences before, and we are thrilled to welcome her back to the TRP stage this year in Seattle. Ticket prices rise next Friday, so register soon to join us this November 7-9: reformationproject.org/conference.
Many LGBTQ Christians have invested significant time and energy sharing our stories with our pastors and church leaders, doing our best to advance understanding and acceptance in ways rooted in relationship and respect. While these one-on-one conversations can move the needle with individuals, it can quickly feel like we're up against a brick wall when it comes to moving the needle in our churches as a whole. . But it doesn't have to be that way. At our Reconcile and Reform conference in Seattle this fall (reformationproject.org/conference), we're excited to share with you the story of how one LGBTQ Christian's relationship with her pastor helped to change not just his perspective, but his church, too. . Laura Beth Buchleiter, a TRP cohort alum, and Mark Wingfield, associate pastor at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, will speak on the main stage together in Seattle about her story as a transgender Christian, how her friendship with Mark transformed him into a passionate ally for trans people, and how Mark helped lead Wilshire Baptist through a successful process to become LGBTQ-affirming by majority congregational vote three years ago. . Mark and Laura Beth share: "Every church in America needs to have a conversation about sexuality. Lives are at stake. Together, we have a story to tell about how this conversation not only is possible but leads to beautiful new friendships and understanding. We are eager to share the story of how one person’s journey to true gender identity and one church’s journey to true understanding merged into a model we hope will inspire other individuals and churches." . Laura Beth is the author of Shattering Masks: Affirming My Identity, Transitioning My Faith, and Mark has written a forthcoming book called Why Churches Need to Talk about Sexuality: Lessons Learned from Hard Conversations about Sex, Gender, Identity, and the Bible, which will be released shortly after the conference. You won't want to miss their talk, so if you aren't registered yet, go ahead and sign up for Reconcile and Reform today: reformationproject.org/conference. We can't wait to see you there!
Is your parent unsure how to reconcile their beliefs with their love for you after your coming out? At TRP's Parents in Process program on November 7 in Seattle, Matthew Vines and his dad, Monte, will share the story of how they studied Scripture together after Matthew came out—and how that process ultimately led his dad to change his mind about the Bible and same-sex relationships. . Learn more about what our Parents in Process program will include on our website, and encourage your parent to attend if they're needing more guidance and support in their journey: reformationproject.org/parents.
Greg and Lynn McDonald, authors of "Embracing the Journey," do life-changing ministry work with conservative Christian parents and their LGBTQ children. We are so blessed to have them leading our new Parents in Process program this Thursday, November 7 in Seattle. . If you have a parent (or two!) who still has room to grow in their relationship with you after you've come out, let them know about Parents in Process and encourage them to sign up: reformationproject.org/parents.
Is your Christian parent wrestling with how to respond after you've come out? We are offering a program at this year's Reconcile and Reform conference in Seattle just for them. . It's called Parents in Process, and it's led by the fantastic Greg and Lynn McDonald, authors of "Embracing the Journey: A Christian Parents' Blueprint to Loving Your LGBTQ Child." . The McDonalds will be sharing their unvarnished and honest personal story of having a gay son, along with lessons they've learned from walking with hundreds of Christian parents who have LGBTQ children. The program will include an interview of the McDonalds by Matthew Vines and a parent panel discussion where you will hear from parents who are well-healed on their journey, with plenty of time for Q&A. . The day will also include a two-part workshop led by Greg and Lynn to help parents move from a place of fear and mourning to embracing their "new normal," culminating with helping them to thrive and find purpose in their journey. Attendees will hear from Matthew Vines and his dad as they share how they navigated the journey of studying Scripture together. The program will end with an LGBTQ panel discussion where parents can ask LGBTQ individuals anything that is on their mind. . No matter where your parent is at with their theology, if they are open to listening and learning, we would love to welcome them this Thursday, November 7 in Seattle. You can register here: reformationproject.org/parents.

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God and the Gay Christian

Have you read Matthew Vines' book about the Bible and same-sex relationships? Download our study guide to use in small groups.

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