About Our Identity
We are intentional around three key areas of identity at LaSalle Street Church - race, gender, and sexuality. You will observe leaders and members from various ethnic backgrounds and genders; be led by a white female Senior Pastor alongside Black pastors, Latina, AAPI, mixed race and white leaders; and learn with both queer/straight and single/married leaders. We believe that we are stronger because of our diversity, not in spite of it, and that we best reflect the whole, interconnected Body of Christ when we focus on the main things and intentionally welcome and protect our God-given differences. We don’t all agree or think or worship in the same way, but we are all part of the same Body. We are an anti-racist, anti-mysogynist, affirming congregation that is Spirit-led, loves God, and follows the way of Jesus.
a both/and kind of church
We know that maintaining a both/and, diverse, and united congregational identity might feel different to some - perhaps energizing, or perhaps difficult to understand this way of making room for one another. And we know that each of us has had varied influences shape how we understand our own ethnic and cultural formation, whiteness and racial justice, gender roles in church, women and men’s authority, and understanding and being affirming around sexuality and gender identities. We don’t ask that everyone agrees with one another at LaSalle, but that everyone chooses to value being part of a diverse Body, works to hold together both/and identities and beliefs with generosity and love, and agrees to center the marginalized around the justice, righteousness, liberation, and healing of God. And they’ll know we are Christ-followers because of how we love one another - not another list of do’s and don’ts.
multi-denominational
multi-ethnic
multi-generational
LaSalle has a long history of adapting to each new chapter in our story of faith - whether changing to meet the shifting demographics of our neighborhood, making room for people often marginalized and left out of the church, or creatively reimagining how to worship, deepen relationships, and serve the community. We’re learning together how to trust the reconciling, expanding, barrier-breaking power of the Holy Spirit as we reimagine new ways of being the church in this season. Instead of reacting, becoming polarized, or policing, let’s build a new thing, rooted in the historic witness of Jesus - a new/old way to be the church. You can bring all of you to LaSalle - we saved you a seat.
To learn more about our history, beliefs, mission statement, and vision, read about our beliefs or attend a membership info class.