Wednesday, June 27, 2007
UCC props up the right side of its tent
By Elizabeth Hamilton
Hartford Courant
The United Church of Christ sidestepped the contentious issue of same-sex marriage as its biennial conference ended Tuesday, but extended an olive branch of sorts to conservative churches feeling alienated from the denomination.
Good. I am all for theological and doctrinal diversity in the United Church of Christ. Looks like me and Marshall Art still get to hang, as amazing as it sounds. :-)
Gracious! How sweet the sound ...
I really like this part:
The Rev. Davida Foy Crabtree, head of the Connecticut Conference of the UCC, said the debate centered on whether the denomination should "bring the resolutions to the floor and have them soundly defeated or take no action because we want to be a community of grace."
Read all about it.
--ER
Comments:
<< Home
Interesting article.
And I regret to tell you that you've been tagged on my blog. Please accept my sincere apology.
And I regret to tell you that you've been tagged on my blog. Please accept my sincere apology.
It was a mature decision, although to me kind of a painful one. In the early 1990s, the church of my great-grandfather expelled my entire family and many other very active, longtime members, ostensibly over the abortion issue (changing the locks behind us), and a few years ago voted itself out of the UCC. It had devastating effects on my father and my parents' marriage and was the primary cause of my own loss of faith. I don't blame the conservative churches, but the Biblical Witness Fellowship. They are not good people, and their modus operandi is to lie and cause dissension in churches and get their people into church pulpits by stealth, violating church polity laws. Also to insult the honor of good church members and spread lies and rumors about them. (My father was asked outright if he'd once gotten a girl in trouble. The answer was a shocked and horrified "NO.")
But good on the UCC for demonstrating mercy and compassion, which just aren't part of the BWF's gospel.
But good on the UCC for demonstrating mercy and compassion, which just aren't part of the BWF's gospel.
Tech, dang you!
SW. I'm still a newcomer to the UCC. I was never starry-eyed about it, but I am still learning of its baggage. Every denomination has some, and every one, sadly, has some mean sumbitches in it that do great harm to the cause of Christ.
SW. I'm still a newcomer to the UCC. I was never starry-eyed about it, but I am still learning of its baggage. Every denomination has some, and every one, sadly, has some mean sumbitches in it that do great harm to the cause of Christ.
The UCC's decision to not decide is reminiscent of the UMC's approach. While we continue to ban, officially, gay pastors and ministers from performing same-sex unions, as to the former, the law is very clearly murky enough to allow many sexual minorities to serve as long as they abide by the strictures set forth in the Discipline.
As to gay unions, when we first came to IL, a pastor in our conference was removed from the pulpit for one year by our Bishop for performing one, but appointed to the same church after the year was up. Some kind of punishment was necessary, and our Bishop at the time regretted that his hands were tied by our laws, but he had the discretion to do what he did, so there is hope. We still have a long way to go, but we are further along the path, always making sure we try not to leave anyone behind.
As to gay unions, when we first came to IL, a pastor in our conference was removed from the pulpit for one year by our Bishop for performing one, but appointed to the same church after the year was up. Some kind of punishment was necessary, and our Bishop at the time regretted that his hands were tied by our laws, but he had the discretion to do what he did, so there is hope. We still have a long way to go, but we are further along the path, always making sure we try not to leave anyone behind.
Deciding not to decide is deciding.
Reminds me of Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With The Wind.
"I won't think about that now, I'll think about that tomorrow"
Reminds me of Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With The Wind.
"I won't think about that now, I'll think about that tomorrow"
Fiddle dee dee!
But I do agree that deciding not to decide is deciding. What they decided to do was actually allow the diversity of thought they say they allow, which is good. I want a big tent.
But I do agree that deciding not to decide is deciding. What they decided to do was actually allow the diversity of thought they say they allow, which is good. I want a big tent.
We can hang no matter what, dude! Though I must say that diversity as a goal is misguided. I hope that's not what you imply. One can allow for diversity of thought, but the only goal is to know God as best one can.
Re, "the only goal is to know God as best one can ..."
Yes. But that is precisely where diversity must be allowed. I mean, other wise, how can we hang? 'Cause your way to "know God as best one can" and my way to "know God the best one can are way different save in one respect: It comes down to Jesus, and a relationship with God "through" him.
Yes. But that is precisely where diversity must be allowed. I mean, other wise, how can we hang? 'Cause your way to "know God as best one can" and my way to "know God the best one can are way different save in one respect: It comes down to Jesus, and a relationship with God "through" him.
Can't argue that. Don't even want to. In this we are of one mind.
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
sorry.
Post a Comment
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
sorry.
<< Home
