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September 01, 2005
General Synod Brings Controversy
Representatives from all of the United Church of Christ conferences are elected to attend a gathering every two years known as the General Synod. This body elects national church officers and handles the business of the national church, including making decisions on resolutions that are presented. Often these resolutions are political in nature, and some are very controversial. This year, two opposing resolutions were brought to the floor of General Synod for consideration.
One resolution was entitled "Marriage is Between One Man and One Woman." It pointed out that "throughout the Scriptures marriage is always defined as being between one man and one woman." God originated the concept of marriage, and He does not change. Jesus Christ, our Lord and the Head of the church, affirmed marriage between one man and one woman. "This resolution provides an opportunity for General Synod to faithfully proclaim the teachings of Jesus the rest of Scripture in regard to marriage being the union of one man and one woman."
The other resolution was entitled, "Resolution in Support of Equal Marriage Rights for All." It explained that Scripture must be interpreted "through the lens of the Gospel." Scripture calls for love and justice in all relationships. Therefore the General Synod was being asked to affirm: "equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender and declares that the State should not interfere with couples regardless of gender who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitment of legally recognized marriage." It further encourages congregations and individuals in the United Church of Christ to "engage in serious, respectful, and prayerful discussion of equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender," and "calls upon congregations to prayerfully consider adopting Wedding Policies at their churches that do not discriminate against gay and lesbian couples."
Understanding that this would be a controversial topic, just days before General Synod met, John Thomas, President of the United Church of Christ, gave a speech addressing this issue. He began: "For many, extending the full and equal legal rights and privileges to same gender couples as those afforded to heterosexual couples, and offering the same blessing and discipline of the church, seem entirely consistent with the over three decade long trajectory of General Synod actions and the accompanying reception process in the church. As a matter of justice and of pastoral care, affirming marriage equality would be a bold step, but one that continues a journey we have been on for a long time as a church."
Personally, I have observed this "journey" for more than 25 years, and it has been painful to watch. It has seemed to be a journey that has taken this church, step by step, away from an acceptance of the Scriptures as the Word of God and toward many questionable decisions that are diametrically opposed to the teachings of the Bible. Many who have grown up in the United Church of Christ have watched with sadness as the denomination they have come to love has continued this journey farther and father from what they believe.
President Thomas continued, "On the other hand, …some, including the presenters of the resolution affirming marriage as only being appropriate between a man and a woman, speak out of their own deep conviction, nurtured by their own interpretation of scripture and the tradition. Consideration of marriage equality moves us into the very center of a highly polarizing and politicized cultural debate in which United Church of Christ members find themselves disagreeing. We all know that the covenants uniting this church are fragile at best. We know that there are congregations and members already in dissent from the General Synod’s earlier positions on gay and lesbian concerns."
As President Thomas acknowledged, this "highly polarizing and politicized cultural debate" has brought loss of membership in the UCC, as well as financial struggles. Many members and even churches have made the painful decision to leave the wayward denomination. But in spite of these concerns, he went on to affirm: "Here is what I believe: I believe that the General Synod should affirm the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons to have their covenanted relationships recognized by the state as marriages equal in name, privileges, and responsibilities to married heterosexual couples."
With the encouragement of the president, the synod voted on July 4 to pass this resolution, and voted to declare the other proposal about affirming marriage as between one man and one woman to be old fashioned, out of date, and good only for the garbage bin. From my perspective, the Bible was tossed there, right along with it. Every time I officiate at a marriage, one of the first statements that is read declares, "Marriage originates with God." When Jesus was questioned about whether it was proper to divorce, he pointed back to what was recorded in Genesis, and said: "Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.'" When we try to redefine what marriage is, we are opposing the clear teachings of our Lord. Interestingly, the General Synod also passed a resolution affirming that Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, but how can we claim that He is Lord and then turn away from what He has to say?
This resolution has brought controversy in many United Church congregations, including my own. Many members of St. Peter and St. Paul have become quite disgusted with this journey away from the teachings they have grown up with. In the United Church of Christ, we understand that resolutions passed at General Synod have no direct authority over local churches. As is often pointed out, General Synod "speaks to the church, not for the church." But decisions such as this cast a long shadow on every one of its churches, as each is identified with the national body and its actions. Those who are sympathetic toward the votes appreciate the publicity General Synod brings to their church. But those who cannot endorse these actions are either splinted or forced to a difficult decision. Let the fireworks begin.
Posted by Pastorkeith at September 1, 2005 06:08 PM