Many of you have asked for an update on how our first meeting went, what was discussed, how you can get involved, etc. Well, take a look at the notes below. It will (hopefully) tell you everything you need to know about what we need, where we're heading, and how you can help!
Thanks to everyone who came out this week! What a blessing to share this with others who are so excited about this vision! Much love to you all!
LOVE boldly Meeting Notes
04/25/2011
Blog
- Frequency: would like to have at least one new entry posted per week
- Good writers and good quality posts needed
- Have to be willing to let Heidi edit entries
Small Groups
- For those who are working to reconcile their faith and sexual orientation and are feeling the need for support, encouragement, and resources towards that goal
- Need place to have it
o Wilmore is preferred but not on campus
- We should not call it a college group, should be open to all ages
- Need safe, agenda-less people to help lead it and people to help advertise, champion, and support the vision
- Will use various discussion starters, including watching videos/documentaries on issues related to faith and sexuality
o GCN’s “Through My Eyes”
o Show films from both perspectives and discuss the range of opinions on the various topics of interest
Gay Pride
- We want to partner with another church or ministry
o Financial support from churches and/or other ministries could help us fund the outreach
o Could share the booth as two separate groups trying to be loving towards the LGBT community
- Needs: Tent to cover booth in case of rain
o Volunteers needed all day
- T-shirts and/or signs with apology on it
- Hand out water?
Seminars
- Present to churches/faith communities who have a conservative view of the Scriptures that address homosexuality
o Intention is not to change their minds
o Teach them how to serve the LGBT community in love and meet practical needs, even if their convictions are that same-sex sexual activity is wrong in God’s eyes
- Venues needed to present these seminars
o Conferences
o Churches – both gay affirming and/or conservative
o Would like to have one at Asbury Seminary
Other Needs
- Prayer Support
- Fundraising
o Needed for events, materials, education, travel, etc.
o Small donations from many people might be easier than large donors
o Grant writing – need someone who is experienced/skilled
- Marketing Materials
o Identity materials – Website, business cards, etc.
o Flyers for events
o Someone to handle publicity, advertising, etc.
- Organizational Structuring
o Two options:
§ Option 1 - Become our own non-profit
· Would need to talk to an accountant and probably a lawyer
· Is a long and expensive process
§ Option 2 - Partner with another non-profit (come underneath their umbrella)
· We will be reticent to form alliances – must be with trustworthy organizations and individuals; will not jump into this quickly but would like to entertain it as a viable option
· Not willing to partner with a church or with a gay-affirming organization; needs to be a neutral organization of some sort; otherwise, we will alienate one side or the other
· Discussion around whether it would be possible to form alliance with two organizations/churches – one pro-gay and one traditionally minded Christian, in order to balance alliances; could be an option, but will be difficult to find two organizations willing to participate in such a way
- Leadership
o Board of Directors will be necessary eventually
o Hope to find at least 2 mentors (each with differing opinions on the theological issues), to impart wisdom, support in prayer, help champion our efforts, and help strike balance in everything we do
o If you are interested in being a part of leadership, feel free to express that to Heidi, but only if you are willing to be turned down without feelings being hurt; leaders will be chosen deliberately and cautiously, and only after demonstrating trustworthiness with this cause and the sensitivity of the issues that surround it
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