What Associated Church Believes and Affirms About Inclusion

Associated Church in Owatonna, Minnesota, describes itself as an inclusive, Open and Affirming, and More Light congregation, and it states plainly that "ALL are welcome here. YOU are welcome here." Its inclusion is not only a slogan: the church says it adopted a Covenant of Welcome and a supporting resolution by congregational vote on November 20, 2022, and it affirms that LGBTQ+ individuals and their families "have an equal place in God's church." This overview is for anyone weighing whether the church's stated beliefs and welcome match their own values before visiting or joining.

What the church says it believes

The church presents itself as "a diverse community of Christ followers" and invites visitors to learn what that community believes through its "Our Faith" / "What We Believe" material. The published statements emphasize:

• Every person bears God's image. The resolution cites Genesis 1:27, Jeremiah 1:5, and Psalm 139:15–16 to affirm that all persons are created in God's image, fully known and "fearfully and wonderfully made."
• Unity in one body. It cites Romans 12:5–6 for the idea that members are many but one body in Christ.
• Love of neighbor without judgment. It cites Mark 12:31 alongside Matthew 7:1–2 and Luke 18:9–14, describing a call to love neighbors without being judgmental or disparaging.
• Mercy, peacemaking, and liberation. It cites Matthew 5:6–10 and Luke 4:18 for a call to hunger for righteousness, be merciful, make peace, and "proclaim release to the captives and freedom to the oppressed."
• Equality in Christ. It cites Galatians 3:28: "in Christ, we are ALL equal before God."

The church also acknowledges harm: the resolution text confesses that "the Christian church has often condemned, marginalized, excluded, and caused irreparable harm to the least of" these—a candid admission that precedes its own commitments.

The Covenant of Welcome and the 2022 resolution

The church explains that its welcome statement "is more than a statement; it's a binding covenant, an agreement between our church and all people." The Covenant of Welcome, together with the resolution quoted on the site, was adopted by congregational vote on November 20, 2022—meaning the congregation formally ratified it rather than leaving it as an informal posture.

The resolution's structure is a series of "Whereas" clauses grounded in Scripture (creation in God's image, one body in Christ, love of neighbor, mercy and peacemaking, equality in Christ), followed by the confession of past church harm. The practical takeaways the church draws are direct: "We see you. We accept you. We welcome you."

Affiliations and LGBTQ+ affirmation

Associated Church states that it is a member of both:

On this basis, the church states: "We firmly believe that LGBTQ+ individuals and their families have an equal place in God's church." The site stresses that the congregation knows many churches claim to be welcoming, and it aims to be "absolutely clear" that its welcome is real and backed by a covenant.

What to expect if you visit

The church acknowledges that "going to a new church can be intimidating" and offers a "What Can I Expect?" page aimed at first-time visitors. For someone deciding whether to visit, the useful next steps are:

1. Read the "Our Faith" / "What We Believe" page for the fuller statement of beliefs.
2. Read the Covenant of Welcome and the November 20, 2022 resolution in full to see the exact language the congregation adopted.
3. Check the "What Can I Expect?" page before attending a first service.
4. Use the newsletter ("The Pulse") and online giving pages if you want to follow the community's life and support it.

A note on limits: the available site material describes beliefs, affiliations, and the welcome covenant, but it does not publish service times, denominational court details beyond the Presbyterian affiliations named, or membership requirements. Those specifics should be confirmed directly with the church.