SNN Recommends 10/14/09-The Gay Christian Network

Our mission:
"Sharing Christ's light and love for all."

This short, simple phrase encapsulates GCN's ultimate purpose. We believe that the truth, or "light," of Christ, and His unconditional love are for everyone, not just the straight community, and that our job as Christians is to share that light and love with one another and with the world. We accomplish this not just through our words, but through our actions.

In particular, GCN seeks to accomplish this mission through five core components, or "missional directions."

1. Promoting spiritual growth.
Our mission begins with the individual. GCN works to strengthen each individual's relationship with God, first through helping people reconcile their faith and sexuality when necessary, but then moving beyond that to promote ongoing spiritual growth as they continue their walk with Christ. A person who is growing in Christ is better able to live out His light and love with others.
Click here to see some of the ways we're doing this!
- The annual GCN conference
- GCN Radio
- Online and local Bible studies
- Audio sermons
- The Great Debate

2. Cultivating safe community.
The Christian life is meant to be lived out in fellowship with others, not on our own. So the second component of GCN's mission is cultivating safe community for fellowship among LGBT Christians. We seek to create and nurture these communities both online and offline, ensuring that they remain safe spaces to be vulnerable and find friendship and support.
Click here to see some of the ways we're doing this!
- Online community (message board, chat, PMs, small groups)
- Annual conference
- Local groups around the world
- Special retreats

3. Supporting family and friends.
Many LGBT Christians have strained relationships with family and friends after coming out or coming to Christ. Our goal is not to replace these relationships, but to strengthen them. The third component of our mission, therefore, is providing needed support to the friends and families of LGBT Christians, to answer their questions and help them learn how to better relate to their loved ones even when there may be disagreement.
Click here to see some of the ways we're doing this!
- GCN toll-free hotline
- Web resources for families (family stories, GCN Radio, online forum, etc.)
- Coming soon: Special CD resource for families/friends
- Future project: New resource deveopment (brochures, videos, etc.)

4. Educating and encouraging the church.
We also believe strongly in the importance of the Body of Christ as a major force for good in the world and an important component of Christians' lives. Our mission to educate and encourage the church, then, is a two-pronged mission. For churches that have yet to fully welcome LGBT individuals, we seek to educate them about LGBT issues and encourage them to become more welcoming. For those that already do welcome LGBT individuals, we want to educate them about ways to be more effective, and encourage them to keep going, even when they may feel like they're alone.
Click here to see some of the ways we're doing this!
- WelcomingChurches.com message board for ministry leaders
- GCN collaboration with welcoming denomination groups and leaders
- Welcoming church database
- 2008 GCN Pastors Banquet
- Through My Eyes Youth DVD resource for churches

5. Engaging the wider LGBT community and the world.
And finally, we want to share Christ's light and love everywhere, not to hide in a gay Christian bubble somewhere. The final component of our mission is engaging with those outside of the church, serving them as Christ would and demonstrating to them what it looks like to fully share in the light and love of Jesus.

Click here to find out more and consider joining their vibrant community.