Building an Affirming Church How to Begin Your Open and Affirming Journey (formerly ONA 101)

Across the country, LGBTQ+ people are being targeted by harmful legislation, religious rhetoric, and political fearmongering. In this urgent moment, churches have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to be sanctuaries of truth, justice, and love. Becoming an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation is more than a process—it’s a prophetic witness to the Gospel’s inclusive power.

Building an Affirming Church is a foundational webinar for congregations beginning (or reigniting) their ONA journey. This session will be co-led by Rev. Derek Terry, Acting Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Coalition, and Barb Biedenstein, a long-standing member and secretary of Gateway ONA. Barb is a trained facilitator in the Building an Inclusive Church framework and serves as the ONA consultant for churches in the St. Louis and Eastern Missouri region.

Together, they will guide you through the tools, theology, and strategies needed to faithfully embrace LGBTQ+ inclusion in your congregation.

As we work toward our movement’s goal of certifying 2,000 ONA churches by the end of 2025, your participation matters. The time is now.

In this session, you will:

• Learn how to launch a strong ONA process that fosters dialogue, deepens community, and avoids division
• Explore “graceful engagement” practices for navigating tough conversations and building trust
• Discover how to reinvigorate your ONA identity if your church is already certified
• Understand how affirming churches grow, thrive, and transform lives

Who Should Attend:

• Congregations exploring ONA for the first time
• Current ONA churches seeking to renew their commitment
• Anyone called to build a church that reflects God’s boundless love for LGBTQ+ people

Registration Fees:

• Individual: $30
• Small churches (75 members or fewer): $50
• Large churches (76 members or more): $70

Scholarships are available—if cost is a barrier, please reach out to Rev. Derek at ONA@openandaffirming.org.

A recording of the webinar will be available for 45 days after the live event.