Call to love, inclusion, and unity: Letter to Governor Braun

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, along with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana, opposes the exclusionary rhetoric of Governor Mike Braun’s June 1, 2026 “Nuclear Family” proclamation and Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith’s campaign to “Take Back the Rainbow.” We are the largest mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Indiana.

In 2013, our General Assembly had hard conversations that led to a life changing and faithful affirmation:

 “The General Assembly calls upon the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to recognize itself as striving to become a people of grace and welcome to all God’s children though differing in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, political stance or theological perspective; and

As people of faith and citizens of the United States, we acknowledged that “persons continue to be devalued and discriminated against within society and more sadly, within the church because of their sexual orientation and or gender identity.” We also acknowledged that Disciples “find identity at the Lord’s table, sharing as the body of Christ, valuing each other in covenantal relationship even we disagree.”

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly calls upon the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to affirm the faith, baptism and spiritual gifts of all Christians regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and that neither is grounds for exclusion from fellowship or service within the church, but we celebrate that all are part of God’s good creation; and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED that the General Assembly calls upon all expressions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as a people of grace and welcome, to acknowledge their support for the welcome of and hospitality to all.”

As people of faith, we proclaim a God who accompanies the vulnerable and stands with those pushed to the margins. Our tradition teaches that God moves toward those who are excluded, not away from them. We also hold a vision of a world where every person can live fully into who they are—without shame, without fear, and without being diminished by the narrowness of others. Governor Braun’s proclamation and Lt. Governor Beckwith’s campaign are a blatant attempt to reframe God’s love, a limitless love in care for persons and families beyond the frame of their campaign, in order to marginalize the LGBTIQA+ community and signal that your offices serve only a segment of the state’s population.

June is Pride Month—a time to celebrate the worth, dignity, and humanity of every person created in the image of God. Pride is not about arrogance or excess; it is about the courage to live openly without fear for one’s life, safety, or belonging. It is about no longer being forced into the shadows out of fear of rejection—even from your nuclear family or state leadership.

We know that families come in many shapes, sizes, and configurations. While some reflect a traditional “nuclear” model, most Indiana families do not. Families include single parents, widowed caregivers, grandparents raising grandchildren, blended families, adoptive families, and yes, families with two mothers or two fathers. They also include chosen families—communities formed when biological families cannot or will not provide care and support.

All families deserve dignity and respect.

Our identity as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is expressed in this statement:
“We are a movement for wholeness in a broken and fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the table as God has welcomed us.”

Our calling is to live, love, and serve like Jesus—to welcome, to heal, and to build bridges where others sow division. We believe this calling extends to those entrusted with public office. The role of government is to serve and protect all people—regardless of political party, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious belief, marital status, or family structure.

Strong families—of every configuration—make our state stronger.

Leadership carries both responsibility and accountability, and it is vital that public officials educate themselves on equitable principles and the realities facing marginalized communities before advancing proclamations that, whether intentionally or not, create further turmoil in a world already burdened by division. Words matter, policies matter, and the consequences of exclusionary rhetoric are real. They impact the safety, mental health, well-being, and flourishing of our neighbors, especially LGBTQIA+ youth and families who deserve to know they are valued, protected, and loved.

Governor Braun, you have a choice. Rather than continuing to sow division, we hope and pray you will choose love, inclusion, and unity.

Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada
Rev. Dr. Christal L. Williams, The Christian Church in Indiana, Regional Minister 
College of Regional Ministers, The Christian Church (DOC)
Rev. Jermell Witherspoon, Executive Director, Alliance Q 
Rev. Dr. Todd Adams, President, Pension Fund
Rev. Dr. LaMarco Antonio Cable, President and CEO, Disciples Overseas Ministries
Rev. Chris Dorsey, President, Disciples Home Missions