LGBTQ Ministry

This ministry was formed by LGBTQ+ parishioners in 2009 to raise visibility for the intentional and full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in the life and sacraments of our church. With the “+” we signify our aim to represent people of all gender identities and orientations, e.g. such as those who identify as asexual, non-binary, intersexual or any others not listed here. We serve both as a contact point for newcomers as well as our parishioners.

You may reach us at LGBT@christ-the-king.net

“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6

Mission

In many of our communications we have adopted the statement “God loves you just the way you are”. We have found this to be a very affirmative and reassuring message. Too many churches in the world are openly (and covertly) discriminatory of LGBTQ+ people. This has caused much suffering and alienation, which we strongly believe is not aligned with Christ’s core messages of compassion, hope and salvation, which he extends to all people without exception. That’s why, at Christ the King, we are outspokenly open about the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in our church body.

The calling of the LGBTQ+ Ministry is to:

Listen

How do our parishioners feel about LGBTQ+ issues? We listen to all opinions and try to foster deeper understanding of each other. We want to build bridges, not burn them.

Serve

What can be done in our parish, the neighboring community or the world at large to help people who are persecuted or otherwise marginalized because of their LGBTQ+ identities? How can help those who struggle with their or other’s LGBTQ+ identities? We believe Christ calls us emulate his outreach to all people with whom we interact – with love, wisdom and charity.

Grow

How can we learn from each other and learn to grow in Christ, as individuals and as a community? We are not here on Earth to stagnate. Our faith challenges us everyday to step out of our comfort zone and interact with the people we meet as if they were Christ themselves. It means being able to step into someone else’s shoes for a moment to imagine the world from their perspective and to see how Christ is working in their lives.

“Speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16

Activities

 The LGBTQ+ Ministry is active in many areas. Often we are simply available for discrete conversations, e.g. if a parent wants to talk about one of their children who has come out to them. Sometimes we meet for fellowship and prayer. Sometimes we are involved in outreach, such as with the following activities:

CSD Frankfurt

Like in many other German cities, this event happens every summer in the inner city of Frankfurt. CSD stands for Christopher Street Day and commemorates the historic events that happened at the Stonewall Inn in New York City in 1969, which in many ways can be considered the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. At this event, we collaborate with other LGBTQ+ Christian groups in the Frankfurt area to show our presence at a booth. With games and treats, we encourage people to stop at our booth. If they desire, we are also available to talk and share more information about our groups.

Raising money

In various ways, we regularly raise money for LGBTQ+ charities, such Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe, Rainbow Refugees or activist groups in other countries, where discrimination and persecution are much more widespread. Our ministry does not need much money itself, so we prefer to focus any funds that come our way on helping those who are less fortunate.

Rainbow services

To demonstrate visibility in our community, from time to time our ministry organizes a whole Sunday service. While all of our services are open to everyone, it can be very powerful and healing for LGBTQ+ people to see themselves in the center of the worship and celebration of Christ. These are always very joyful and heartwarming services for everyone, young and old.

Blessings & marriages

Christ the King and our partner church St. Augustine’s in Wiesbaden have been pioneers within our diocese in terms of celebrating LGBTQ+ weddings and/or blessings in our churches. Meanwhile, these celebrations are no longer considered groundbreaking. They are as extraordinary as any other couple coming before the Lord and their community to profess their love and commitment to each other.

If you want to get involved in our ministry or be part of organizing some of these activities, get in touch at LGBT@christ-the-king.net

“In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek… no longer slave or free… no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28

History

The LGBTQ+ Ministry was formed by the churches of Christ the King in Frankfurt and St. Augustine’s in Wiesbaden. On many occasions the two churches join together for activities, other times we meet only in local groups. Since we formed the ministry in 2009 a lot has changed. The attitude towards LGBTQ+ topics is no longer one of quiet acceptance, but open embracing and integration in all aspects of church life. We are proud to be recognized within our diocese and beyond as an exceptionally open and accepting community. It has not always been easy, but we are pleased that we can now focus our efforts less on internal issues and more outreach and charity work.

Join us and be part of our uniquely diverse and joyful community!

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13