Since our launch last year, we’ve developed new ways to start the conversation about gay discipleship in the Catholic Church—and we’ve had plenty of surprises! Here are five of the most exciting things we’ve discovered over the course of the past year.

1. We’re consultants now. Coming out of the Synod, many dioceses and other large Catholic institutions heard that the Church urgently needs a more inspiring vision for LGBT/SSA+ life. BCF has helped them articulate a vision grounded in their local context, and imagine a holistic, not siloed, ministry approach.

We’ve learned that diocesan leaders often know more than they realize, and they’re ready to try something new.

2. We can find and form early leaders. Dioceses ask: How do we start? Who is ready for this work? So we developed the BCF Confidence Index and the Four Lenses assessment, to help Catholic institutions identify the people who are willing and able to take on early leadership roles.

We’ve learned that every plan is only as good as its personnel—so finding the early leaders is crucial.

3. The Four Lenses break through deadlock. Again and again, when Catholic leaders try to bring people together and hear from multiple perspectives on gay people’s pastoral needs, they just end up repeating the same old conflicts. Welcome or chastity? Enforce doctrine or challenge it? BCF’s Four Lenses emphasize that people’s varied experiences might lead them to see being gay as the same as straight or different, a burden or a gift—and all of these perspectives are necessary in ministry.

We’ve seen Catholic educators, diocesan leadership, and queer disciples eagerly use the Lenses to name their own perspectives and embrace others’ insights.

What surprises you about BCF’s mission and vision?

4. Gay disciples are ready to serve. We were thrilled by how quickly and creatively our retreatants responded to the first Confident Witnesses retreat. From parish book clubs to chancery discussions, from Catholic schools to LGBT+ affinity groups, they’ve been empowered and inspired to share their stories and help other queer people grow in faith.

We’ve learned that gay Catholics are already in a position to build brighter Catholic futures in their parishes, schools, and dioceses—and they’re ready to be formed for leadership!

5. We can find the bridges. In every diocese, there are communities, parishes, and schools where it feels like “gay and Catholic” is totally taboo. Even seasoned Catholic leaders are often unsure how to start the conversation! In our work with parents of LGBT+ adults, clergy within these communities, and gay and same-sex attracted disciples, we’ve discovered that these groups often include trustworthy messengers who belong to the community and “speak the language”—literally and metaphorically.

We’ve learned that every community has “bridges”: people who can help that community understand gay pastoral needs and foster queer people’s discipleship.

Those are five surprises of our first year! If you’d like to see the surprises of our second year up close and personal, why not get in touch?