To The Members of The Living Water Ministries Board:
I truly believe that Living Water Ministries has the most gospel-oriented mission statement that I have ever read. To take on the statement of bringing together ALL of God’s children, is bold and exemplifies how Jesus lived. Living Water Ministries is looked upon favorably from different ministry organizations all over the nation, and could set such a radical example by becoming a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) organization.
If Living Water Ministries is genuinely bringing together all of God’s children, then all of God’s children must feel and know that they are welcomed, included, and loved at camp and at events that Living Water Ministries hosts. By becoming an RIC Organization, Living Water Ministries would further live into their core value of being welcome to all by intentionally incorporating a statement of inclusivity for those who identify as LGBTQ+.
As a woman who identifies as a lesbian, I know what it feels like to be unsure about a space I am in. There are times in my life where I do not feel as if I can be my complete, authentic, God-created self. That feeling is not a feeling of welcome. That is a feeling of sadness, anxiety, and extreme discomfort. I know that Living Water Ministries already does an incredible job of being inclusive; however, it is so important that our LGBTQ+ siblings in Christ can fully know that they will be welcomed, accepted, loved, and celebrated, all of which happens when engaging in a community that proudly exclaims all of these ideals for LGBTQ+ people explicitly.
It is time to radically love and include ALL of God’s children and to fully recognize, embrace, and celebrate our LGBTQ+ siblings in Christ. It is time to become RIC in order that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer folks may experience Christian community, grow in faith, develop leadership skills, and serve others, all while fully feeling the revolutionary love that Jesus Christ came to show us here on Earth. God is love, God is good, and all love comes from God. Let us show that good news to all of God’s children by taking that step and becoming Reconciling in Christ. It is time.
In Peace,
Kristin Boris
Living Water Ministries Staff Alum 2014-2017
Master of Divinity Student at Trinity Lutheran Seminary
This letter was submitted with 185 signatures including 128 LWM staff (past and present), 23 rostered leaders in the ELCA, 9 Episcopalian partners, and 25 lay leaders.