Dear Friends,

We thank you for taking the time to consider the Creating Sanctuary Resource.

This Resource has been developed by people with a range of views on how the Bible might be read in relation to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community (LGBT), but with a common conviction that our churches should be safe places for all people. Whilst some churches offer this safe place, others do not. Creating Sanctuary responds to Minister and Church Leaders’ request for help and support in this area. The impact of a lack of safe spaces has been significant for our LGBT siblings in Christ.

We recognise together that the long-standing debates about how we read Scripture in relation to the LGBT community are unlikely to be settled anytime soon. Instead, Creating Sanctuary is a pastoral and safeguarding Resource, which draws from recent learning emerging from our Body of Christ. Whilst the range of theological and Biblical readings are not rehearsed here, we have sought to learn from national leaders and church communities who have worked to offer either safer welcome or affirmation to the LGBT community.

Whatever our theological convictions, we believe that our churches want to be safer places – sanctuaries if you like – for everyone. It is especially important that our churches are safer places of care and well-being for those who have experienced hurt, rejection or marginalisation. When Jesus was asked which was the greatest commandment, he gave two – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31 NRSV).

We pray that through using this resource, our churches will understand more deeply what behaviours and approaches to people from the LGBT community and other minority groups communicate care and welcome, and those which cause harm. The aim is to love our neighbours and learn how we best show that.

If you need help or support along the way, please get in touch via our website: www.creatingsanctuary.org.uk/contact or by email, info@creatingsanctuary.org.uk

God bless you on this journey,

Creating Sanctuary, Core Group