(1) All people who visit us should receive a formal
as well as an informal welcome, especially those who are
members of groups that have a history of being marginalized
in our society.
(2) Even still today, people of sexual orientations
other than heterosexual are one of the most marginalized
and ostracized groups in our society, even by many Christian
churches. We must reach out to those groups at this particular
time or risk that our silence could contribute to their
feelings of isolation. Thus, a statement mentioning that
group in particular is appropriate and timely.
(3) We want to be explicit in our statement of our convictions
and not rely on coded or vague language. We want for those
who visit us to know we are open about what we believe.
(4) We want to make it clear that we are inclusive because
of our faith, not in spite of our faith, and not because
of a superficial desire to be politically correct.
