Perry Highway Lutheran Church is a RIC Congregation
At Perry Highway Lutheran Church, we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive community of faith that supports and encourages authentic Christian beliefs. As a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation, we affirm and celebrate the diversity of God’s creation, including people of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and abilities. We believe that God’s love is for everyone and that our faith should reflect this belief through our actions and interactions with others.
What is a RIC Congregation?
A RIC congregation, like Perry Highway Lutheran Church (PHLC), is a community of faith that publicly welcomes and affirms the full participation of LGBTQ+ people in the church’s life. This means we actively work to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We believe that God’s love is for everyone and that our faith should reflect this belief through our actions and interactions with others. By affirming the diversity of God’s creation, we seek to create a community that is authentic, compassionate, and committed to living out our faith in the world.
We affirm and celebrate the full diversity of God’s creation, including people of all abilities and neurological differences. We recognize that disabled and non-neurotypical people face unique challenges in our society. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels accepted and valued. By embracing the full diversity of God’s creation, we seek to create a compassionate, inclusive community committed to living out our faith through service to others.
What is different at PHLC than a more mainstream church?
But how does our approach to practicing the Christian faith differ from that of more mainstream Protestant churches in Pittsburgh? Here are a few key differences:
Inclusivity: While many Protestant churches in Pittsburgh are welcoming and hospitable to all who attend, not all churches explicitly affirm the diversity of God’s creation in the way that RIC congregations like ours do. At Perry Highway Lutheran Church, we strive to create a community where everyone can feel accepted, valued and celebrated for who they are.
Social Justice: Many Protestant churches in Pittsburgh engage in social justice work and community outreach, but not all churches prioritize these activities like RIC congregations do. We believe that social justice and community service are integral to living out our faith, and we are committed to working for a more just and equitable world.
Worship: While many Protestant churches in Pittsburgh have traditional worship services that emphasize liturgy and hymns, we take a more contemporary and experiential approach to worship. Our services incorporate various music styles, art, and other forms of expression, to create a worship experience that is engaging, meaningful, and authentic.
Leadership: RIC congregations like ours tend to have a more democratic and egalitarian approach to leadership, with decision-making shared among clergy and lay members. This contrasts some Protestant churches with a more authoritarian approach to leadership, emphasizing the authority of the pastor or other religious leaders.
At Perry Highway Lutheran Church, our approach to practicing our Christian faith is relevant and vital in today’s world. We seek to create a community that reflects God’s creation’s diversity and works for a more just and equitable society.
We invite you to join us for worship this Sunday or participate in one of our upcoming events below this post. Experience our welcoming and inclusive community firsthand, and see how our approach to practicing Christian faith can enrich your life and deepen your connection with God. We look forward to seeing you soon!
