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!
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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!
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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