Christ Church Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians in Kailua has declared itself “an open and affirming congregation,” which means it is rolling out the welcome mat to people of all sexual orientations.

While various Christian denominations on Oahu accept LGBT parishioners, some draw the line at leadership positions, and some have yet to publicly announce a policy on the matter.

The Rev. Elizabeth “Liz” Leavitt said Christ Church’s decision last month to become “explicitly opening to LGBT people worshipping with us and being in leadership … was a critical part of being a progressive congregation.”

The church’s website notes that being an inclusive congregation “doesn’t mean we all agree.” Rather, it said, “We affirm that we are all on our own journey of coming to understand who we are, who God is and what God wants from us as a church. What it does mean is that LGBT people are welcome to worship and lead within our congregation and that their experiences, ideas and opinions will be equally respected.”

Leavitt, who has led Christ Church, 1300 Kailua Road, for a year and a half, describes her congregation as “spiritually mature, partly because it has the capacity to really accept a variety of viewpoints,” adding, “I think we have, sitting in our pews, people with spiritual experiences that are very different from one another.”

She continued, “This is a very intellectually curious congregation, really wanting to think about new ideas and really continue their spiritual development into adulthood.”

An adult education series offered at the church has covered subjects such as the changing face of the church over 50 years and Christian sexual ethics. The next series, which will focus on world religions, starts Aug. 21, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. It will continue on Sundays before the 10 a.m. service.

Longtime board member John Heidel, a social activist and former president of The Interfaith Alliance Hawai‘i, said the church has a history of open-mindedness. It took shape when two small Christian congregations in Kailua — Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) — merged in 1974.

As a “union church,” composed of two denominations, Christ Church stresses collaboration and tolerance. For example, because the denominations follow different baptismal practices, congregants may opt for either.

Regarding Leavitt, Heidel said, “She is able to articulate a progressive approach to Christianity that is understandable and acceptable to traditional Christians. We have an interesting and unique history being the merger of two denominations.”

Over the years, music has become part of the church’s identity and an essential part of its outreach.

Starting shortly after the merger and continuing into the 199os, Heidel said, it presented various Broadway musicals. Over the past decade, Christ Church’s accomplished choir has performed Handel’s “The Messiah” as an annual singalong. In addition, he said, CCU continuously explores innovative worship, such as a “blues vespers” service during Lent.

Leavitt said, “Some people need a different entry point to think about spiritual matters,” and including a blues band in a worship service is one of them. The church has also held meditation and contemplative prayer sessions on the beach, she said, adding that embracing innovation means refraining from being “quick to say no to things that we haven’t tried or thought about.”

Most of the church’s 75 members are involved in community outreach efforts, Leavitt said. They range from environmental stewardship endeavors to the Family Promise program, which assists homeless people.

Leavitt serves as vice president in charge of organizing Hawaii clergy for Faith Action for Community Equity, which advocates for affordable housing, immigration reform and other social justice causes.