General Synod Resolutions Often Speak A Prophetic Voice

June 22, 2007 By Rev. Chuck Currie

Part of what makes any General Synod exciting (and sometimes memorable) is the debate over resolutions put forth by local churches and conferences.

Resolutions adopted at General Synod “speak to but not for” local congregations – which means local churches are not bound by decisions made at General Synod – even though those resolutions may put the national settings of our denomination on record as being for or against some important social issue.

That does not mean, however, that local churches are simply free to ignore what goes on at General Synod (just as delegates at General Synod are not free to ignore the hopes and dreams of local congregations). The UCC Constitution states:

As members of the Body of Christ, each expression of the church is called to honor and respect the work and ministry of each other part. Each expression of the church listens, hears, and carefully considers the advice, counsel, and requests of others. In this covenant, the various expressions of the United Church of Christ seek to walk together in all God’s ways.

This past month the people of Parkrose Community United Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon voted to become “Open and Affirming.” The vote (with 87% in favor) came twenty-two years after the General Synod meeting in 1985 passed a resolution asking local churches to consider issuing statements that declared them to be welcoming of gays and lesbians.

Why did it take our congregation 22 years to issue such a statement? Well, back in 1985 the church hadn’t really discussed differences in sexual orientation openly. Few had. But the General Synod resolution prodded the discussion along and because of that year after year more members at Parkrose studied the issues involved, openly gay people became known to us as beloved members of the church, and the reality of discrimination in the world became more and more apparent. Now we proclaim as a congregation:

In Galatians 3.28 we are reminded that despite our differences we are all “one in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, we, the people of Parkrose Community United Church of Christ, declare ourselves to be open and affirming. With God’s grace, we seek to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing differences of sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age, mental and physical ability, as well as racial, ethnic, religious, political or social-economic background. We welcome all to share in the life and leadership, ministry, and fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation in our congregation. This is God’s church and no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

Without the prophetic voice of General Synod calling us to act it might have taken our church 40 years…or 80 years…to welcome openly gay and lesbian people. We might never have done it.

Not every resolution adopted by this General Synod will be welcomed by every church in the denomination (though most will have broad support). But check back 22 years from now and you never know what will happen. As we like to say in the UCC, “God Is Still Speaking.” Sometimes it just takes awhile for us to all listen.

The Rev. Chuck Currie is the interim minister at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ and the writer of a UCC-related blog.

Share This

Posted in Uncategorized