UCC General Synod – June 30, 2009
This is the last day of General Synod. But most of the interesting stuff is still to come. So I’ll post at least one more blog entry later today or first thing tomorrow.
Today’s agenda includes most of the resolutions, including an action supporting a move toward “unified governance” of the UCC. The national work of the UCC is currently governed and administered by five independent boards. If you think local churches move slowly when there is a need for common action, imagine needing common action by five independent bodies.
The lowlight of yesterday was the committee hearing process in the morning. The committee to which I was assigned simply dragged on interminably about minor changes in a common sense resolution concerning support and prayer for victims of a struggling economy – including creation of a networking website. Thirty minutes of substance squeezed into three hours of conversation.
The highlight in terms of impact was the election of the new General Minister and President, along with two other officers in the 5-member collegium that oversees the denomination. The elections were overwhelming – I didn’t see a single negative vote for the GMP, Geoffrey Black. The most interesting debate was over a change in the bylaws that lowers the educational threshold for ordained ministers. A local committee on ministry helps a “member in discernment” prepare a plan to prepare for ministry. The new bylaw says, “a bachelor’s degree and Master of Divinity may be included in the plan” (emphasis added). Language that made this even the “preferred” plan was defeated rather soundly.
I’ll most likely get the chance to say a few words publicly today on two subjects. You can follow the plenary sessions live on line: http://www.ucc.org/synod/live.html.
I thought I’d multi-task by writing out a general idea of what I plan to say in these two moments when I represent Corinth Reformed Church (emphasis added) and Faithful & Welcoming Churches.
The first opportunity is already scheduled for shortly after 8:30 AM. It’s a “Speak Out” minute for which I had to sign up last night. Delegates and even visitors may request one minute to address the body on any subject that is not on the agenda. Here’s mine –
I rise to speak out this morning on a most unfortunate oversight on the agenda of this Synod. I don’t blame anyone else more than myself, but we failed to honor a very important birthday. Round numbers are always important for birthdays, and July 10 is the 500th anniversary of the birth of the great reformer, John Calvin. In a denomination that “claims as its own the basic insights of the Protestant reformers,” we need to remember that Calvin’s thinking shaped the faith of our forebears profoundly and continues to influence us today. Every time we remember that we are sinners saved only by God’s grace, every time we talk about knowing and trusting God’s plan for us, every time we wrestle with how the Gospel affects not only the church but society, every time we speak of a Consistory or Church Council, every time we acknowledge being in covenant with God and each other, we honor the life and legacy of John Calvin. So how about a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” to the little guy with long pointed beard, John Calvin?
The second time I plan to speak, I will address a controversial resolution coming to the floor of Synod. It is a so-called “emergency resolution” (it did not meet the advance deadline) presented by the Northern California-Nevada Conference in response to a public school controversy this spring over diversity education. Diversity includes topics of “race, ethnic origin, gender, faith, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic class, and country of origin” – all lumped together as “justice issues.” The presenters of this resolution want to advocate educating children as young as kindergarten on “the experience of LGBT individuals and families” in public schools in the United States.
David Runnion-Bareford of Biblical Witness Fellowship will address the issue of making equivalent issues of race and ethnic origin with sexual orientation and gender identity.
I will address the resolution from the standpoint of our commitment in FWC to recognize and advocate the concerns of ECOT churches. In the two minutes I’ll have, I will attempt to address three concerns about this resolution. (Remember, you’re getting my “notes” here.)
First, a “resolution of witness” according to Standing Rule 12.C.(1)(a) on page 7 “should be so phrased as not to bring into question the Christian commitment of those who do not agree.” I will argue that lines 10, 22, 26-27, and 36 do seem to call into question the commitment of those who disagree.
Second, the last General Synod passed a resolution that “the Twenty-sixth General Synod calls upon all settings of the church to consider prayerfully its policies and statements in terms of their impact on the unity and future of local churches, associations, and conferences in the UCC.”
This resolution will undoubtedly create fresh controversy and division.
Third, the mission of FWC is to encourage ECOT churches to remain in the UCC and to be faithful in support of the denomination. Our unity remains fragile and our financial support from the churches inadequate. Passing this resolution will once again cause churches to leave the denomination or take the next step toward doing so, whether that next step is simply withdrawing presence or funds.
We would encourage the Northern California Nevada Conference to address the matter in its own setting and not ask churches and conferences across the country to sustain a further blow to their own attempts to restore a broad unity and support in their settings.
That’s it for now – gotta run to the Synod meeting!