First Lutheran Church
- Approximately 1200 baptized members, with 20-25% (200-300) worshipping on a typical Sunday morning
- Celebrated our 150th anniversay in November 2007
- Located in a college town in a rural setting
- History of strong ties with the college
- One of two ELCA churches in town
- Part of a relatively conservative synod
- Church building is nearly 50 years old
- Following 1998 tornado, invited Roman Catholic congregation to share worship space
- Fairly traditional worship style
- Early adopter of the new ELC (hymnal)
- Former ELCA bishop is a member
- Currently experiencing membership growth
- Have a number of GLBT members as well as families with GLBT family members
- Able to raise funds for special projects (anniversary, playground, etc.) but have a harder time with meeting operating budget
- Current pastoral leadership is strong, valued, and respected
- History of vibrant music and education programs
- Active youth ministry
- Desire to be seen as a welcoming congregation
Reconciling in Christ program
- Reconciling in Christ is a program for Lutheran communities of faith to answer the inclusive call of the gospel by welcoming believers of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
- Reconciling in Christ now exceeds 400 settings internationally.
- The Reconciling in Christ program is hosted by an organization called Lutherans Concerned North America — a Christian ministry affirming God's love for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities since 1974.
- There are 36 Reconciling in Christ settings in Minnesota.
- There is one other Reconciling in Christ congregation in the Southwest MN synod (University Lutheran Church of the Epiphany, St. Cloud, MN).
- The Reconciling in Christ program is consistent with current ELCA policy regarding people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
- Congregations that decide to become designated as Reconciling in Christ congregations write and implement their own statement of welcome – the only requirement is that such a statement specifically include people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
- The name of the Reconciling in Christ program comes from 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21, part of which reads: "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation."
