The Southwest California Synod voted to become a Reconciling in Christ synod in 1998, ten years before the denomination welcomed gay and lesbians into ordination rites. 

At the time, the synod agreed* 

• “that gay and lesbian people share with all others the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God,
• That gay and lesbian people are welcome with the members of this synod, upon maing the same affirmation of faith that all other people make; and
• That as members of this syod gay and lesbian people are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this synod.”

*please note this was standard language in 1988 – today our synod welcomes people of all gender and sexuality identities and expressions. 

Fully one-third of the congregations in this synod are Reconciling in Christ, which means they are LGBTQ-affirming. This distinction is granted by Reconciling Works, the national organization in the Evangelical Lutheran Church supporting congregations in their welcome and celebration of the LGBTQ community. Congregations may attain Reconciling in Christ (RIC) status by changing their mission statement to reflect their ministry to LGBTQ persons. Recently Reconciling Works called for all RIC congregations to also make a commitment to anti-racism work. For more information, visit www.reconcilingworks.org. 

The first openly gay bishop in the ELCA, R. Guy Erwin, was elected in this synod in 2012, and the first openly lesbian bishop in the ELCA, Brenda Bos was elected in 2021. 

Our Reconciling in Christ congregations include:

All Saints Lutheran Church, Sun Valley 

http://www.allsaints-sunvalley.org/

American Lutheran Church, Burbank

https://www.americanlutheranburbank.org

Angelica Lutheran Church, Los Angeles (spanish language)
https://www.facebook.com/angelicalutheranchurch/

Bethel Lutheran Church, Encino

https://www.bethelencino.org/

Bethel Lutheran Church, Los Angeles 

https://www.bchurch.us

Christ Lutheran Church, Downey 

https://www.facebook.com/ChristLutheranDowney/

Christ Lutheran Church, Long Beach

www.christlutheranlb.com

Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, Altadena 

https://ctsaltadena.org/

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Bakersfield 

https://www.emmanuelbakersfield.org/

Faith Lutheran Church, Canoga Park

https://faithcanogapark.wordpress.com

First Lutheran Church, Torrance 

https://www.flchurch.org/

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Long Beach

https://www.gdlclb.org/

Hollywood Lutheran Church, Hollywood 

https://www.hollywoodlutheranchurch.net/

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks

https://www.htlcto.org/

Hope Lutheran Church, Hollywood
https://www.hopelutheranchurch.net

Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Oxnard 

http://www.lcoor.org/

Lutheran Church of the Master, Los Angeles 

http://lutheran.churchofthemaster.org/

Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Santa Monica

http://www.mtolivelutheranchurch.org/

Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Long Beach

https://www.oslchurch.org

Resurrection Lutheran Church, Long Beach

https://www.faithstreet.com/church/resurrection-lutheran-church-long-beach-ca

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Simi Valley

https://svlcsimi.org/

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, West Hills

https://www.sovlc.org/

St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Los Angeles

https://www.standrews-wla.org

St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Woodland Hills

https://www.stlukelutheran.com

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Glendale 

https://www.matthewchurch.com

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, North Hollywood

https://www.stmatthewsnoho.org

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Santa Monica

https://www.stpaulssm.org

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Manhattan Beach

https://www.trinitymb.org/

Trinity Lutheran Church, Santa Barbara 

http://www.telcsb.org/