A Message from the Board of All One Body

The board of All One Body is alarmed and deeply disappointed in the sexuality report to Synod. We are concerned about the impact if Synod votes to approve this report with its narrow and faulty view of biological and behavioral science, its position of maintaining condemnation of LGBTQ Christian relationships as being already a confessional position of the denomination, its turning a blind eye to the devastating harm this judgmental position will have on our LGBTQ members, their families and friends. The earth-shaking impact will bring painful resignations of church office bearers, pastors, Calvin University professors and staff, and church members leaving the denomination. It is a sad time for the CRCNA that such a blatantly uninformed report would be submitted and if this report is approved it will tear at the heart of church. We need open and respectful dialog so voices of pain and alarm can be heard from throughout the church.

MISSION
​​All One Body promotes unrestricted participation in all areas of church life by all members who confess Christ as Savior and Lord, whether single or partnered, without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity.  We seek to challenge the voices of fear and accusation that condemn and exclude, that marginalize some and privilege others.  We will create generous and grace-filled spaces in which we can all be informed by direct personal engagement through the sharing of our stories.

OUR BEGINNINGS
In 2011, a group of individuals from a number of Grand Rapids Christian Reformed congregations began meeting at Eastern Avenue CRC because we were dissatisfied with the current response by our denomination to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Christians.

In 2011, the CRC Synod chose not to appoint a study committee to revisit this issue, indicating there was "no new information" since its previous statement, which was developed in the 1970's.  The overture for the study committee came from Sherman St CRC in Classis Grand Rapids East.

By word of mouth we heard that a number of churches in Classis Grand Rapids East and in the Grand Rapids area had been discussing this issue within their congregations.  We felt it was time to develop a grassroots group to begin work on this issue, and so the group, now called All One Body, was born.

Please keep our group in your prayers.  It is a difficult path to walk right now, but we feel compelled that the Holy Spirit is leading us.

VISION
Congregations in the Christian Reformed Church will be gracious places where all persons are welcome, whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity, and where all can give and receive the support needed to be God's loving servants in the world.