Anti-gay groups that target the United Church of Christ - like the Biblical Witness Fellowship and their theological spin-off Faithful and Welcoming - have been pedaling stories in the media that the UCC is in crisis because of a decision by our General Synod to endorse gay marriage.
Nothing could be further from the truth. There is controversy - no question - but controversy has always been part of the UCC tradition. And in many cases that controversy is leading to new growth and new discipleship.
The Rev. John P. Gardner and the Rev. Ruth E. Phillips of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ of Fort Wayne wrote today in The Journal Gazette:
The article, "Gay-union issue still splits UCC" (March 4), identified a deep and painful divide that exists among some United Church of Christ congregations on the question of marriage equality. It is sad when congregations become consumed in turmoil, whatever the cause. And sad, too, is the fact that a few congregations have rejected their peculiar history and tradition to mirror the dominant cultural prejudice against sexual minorities that prevails in our land. Such prejudice, while popular and often heralded in pulpit and parish, has little to do with the Gospel as proclaimed and practiced in the United Church of Christ.
There exists a larger context to life in the UCC that the article failed to address. For more than 30 years the UCC has been an advocate of an inclusive community where people are not primarily defined by their sexual orientation. More than 25 years ago the General Synod of the UCC both discouraged and deplored the use of scripture to generate hatred or to violate civil rights. More than 20 years ago the General Synod recognized and vowed support for the diversity of family patterns that exist within the church.
The more recent stance on marriage equality stems from this history. For the record, since the vote of this past summer, 49 churches, less than 1 percent of the UCC's 5,725-plus congregations, have voted to disaffiliate. Of those churches departing, most had previously been distancing themselves financially from the denomination. Curiously, there were also reports of a sharp increase in inquiries about UCC affiliation. During the year 2005, 23 new congregations were welcomed into the UCC, and an additional 42 churches expressed a "firm interest" in joining.
There was controversy during the civil rights movement when the UCC became one of the first Christian bodies to speak out on behalf of interracial marriage and controversy long before that when the UCC ordained the first woman minister in the United States.
And there was controversy when Jesus preached a message of inclusive love.
As Rev. Gardner and Rev. Phillips write:
We are a peculiar people making our appeal to a still-speaking God. Our yearning is for that which we cherish: a church where God's love trumps hate and checks fear; where the baptized are considered beloved and a blessing; where the table of communion is accessible and graceful; and where God, rich in mercy, steadfast in love, reigns as the rightful judge of all things human.
The UCC is a church that boldly proclaims an extravagant welcome. We don't pretend to be all things for all people. But for those seeking a community of wide liberty and personal responsibility, where the values of justice, peace and compassion are the prime pursuits of faith, we are a community of amazing grace.
There is often good news in controversy.
Related Link: UCC Firsts
