About

UnReserved is a ministry and growing movement of the Metro D.C. Synod, ELCA, inviting congregations and communities into the practice of making room for all of God's humanity, without exception.

Why does this movement exist?

National research, studies, statistics, and surveys conducted by the Barna Group and the Fuller Institute for Leadership concluded that the ELCA is declining in size, aging in membership, and is not living up to the welcome it proclaims. Especially towards young people, people of color, people of intersectionality around economics, abilities, sexualities, genders, classes, religious traditions, immigration statuses, etc.

One of the clearest recommended mandates from the studies is to stop being accidentally welcoming and begin to be more intentional and unreservedly curious about people. To make room for authentic belonging, building a culture of invitation before people ever step into our churches.

Rooted in the radical grace and love of Jesus Christ, we believe belonging is more than a warm welcome. It means being seen, heard, valued, and invited to shape the life of the community.

What is the purpose of this movement?

In a world marked by division, exclusion, and distrust, UnReserved challenges the church to move beyond institutional preservation toward human preservation through authentic relationships, shared leadership, justice, and human flourishing.

UnReserved is not simply an idea about inclusion. It is an embodied practice of grace.

Through worship, sacred spaces, storytelling, courageous conversations, workshops, case studies, and shared learning, we practice the kind of church we hope to become. We make room for different languages, cultures, identities, generations, questions, and expressions of faith. We make room for people to bring their whole selves without fear of being erased.

More than another gathering, training, or diversity initiative, UnReserved seeks to cultivate a movement of congregations that embody the Gospel's radical welcome in tangible and meaningful ways.

We are not simply asking people to come into our churches. We are asking what our churches must become to make room for our neighbors.

And we do not need to wait until we become a different church to begin making room. Making room is how we become a different church.

Belonging without erasure.

Grace without prerequisites.

Making room without exception.

Be UnReserved.