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Updated November 10, Leadership: John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President. Purpose Statement: "To love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves.
Cite this Article Format. Zavada, Jack. A related concern of many who read the blog is that we or I not be self-congratulatory and arrogant about how wonderful our life together in the United Church of Christ is, and how terrible other churches and denominations are. I truly do not feel that way—arrogant, boastful, divisive—about the United Church of Christ or about other churches.
And I did not write the blog post in a spirit of arrogance or divisiveness. I hope that comes through in what I say in the post. I mean, most denoms.
You just explained some of the major differences. Good Job! It matters because we talk past each other and sometimes even demonize each other when we do not understand what we hold to be important.
We all do. And ministers ask these kinds of questions about various churches when they scan the UCC Ministry Opportunities webpage, or when they talk with their Conference Staff in their own search process.
Thanks for your comment, Barbara. Your explanations are probably practical, and I put myself in the prgressive camp. Maybe even with Buddhists and Taoists!
I agree. I guess my question is whether distinctions are inherently divisive. Does the mere suggestion or acknowledgement of difference, and then actually talking about our differences, mean that we have to rank peoples or groups or churches or denominations, and end up saying that one group is better than another or worse than another?
I hope not. In another part of my life, I teach political science and multiculturalism courses at a local state college. This semester we have talked quite a bit about our differences, and about issues of diversity pertaining to race, gender, sex, ableism, classism, LGBTQ identity, and even religion. But we were able to have these conversations, I hope, without hurt feelings and without suggesting that one race, or one gender-identity, or one religion, is better than another.
So you would be fine with an Evangelical minister who teaches that Salvation requires the personal acceptance of Christ as savior? That others are not going to heaven? How do you worship together with Muslims when it is there belief that to state that God had a son, or there is a Trinity, is blasphemous?
I love your commentary! As a one-time Baptist a long time ago! Progressives are social workers using the resources of the church for their own ends.
UCC Evangelicals are concerned with everyone and recognize that a change in heart not in mind offers the best option for justice and peace. But Jesus own actions were those of social justice; healing people, feeding people, and reaching out to those who are disenfranchised. So when we do social justices we are literally emulating what Jesus did. We are following in the footsteps of our Lord.
Evangelical Christians can and do believe in healing people, feeding people, and all kinds of charitable work. Baptist Jimmy Carter for example. But most believe this should be done by churches and private social agencies, not by government taking from producers through taxation. As stated in the article, most progressives believe salvation is automatic, Evangelicals believe it requires an individual to make a decision to accept Christ.
That is a huge fundamental difference. I guess my perspective, and many of the comments to this blog post are reinforcing my perspective, is that there is no sharp distinction between UCC Progressives and Evangelicals; rather, the distinctions are subtle and gradual. This is like the difference between an on-off light switch and a wall-mounted dimmer.
Distinctions between the two are sort of like the gradations on a thermometer. Well written and very helpful explanations AND easily understood. Thanks for your article, the timing is perfect for a discussion I had yesterday with my son and his wife. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account. You are commenting using your Facebook account.
Notify me of new comments via email. Notify me of new posts via email. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Source: Pixabay. Like this: Like Loading Related posts. Why It Matters. I hope you and your family are well. Thanks for the comment, David! People love taking the Canaanite woman out of context.
A new and timely video: Like Like. A timely new video: Like Like. Chris Like Like. Humbly submitted, and may God bless you for writing this. Hi, micah6. Chris Like Liked by 1 person. Blessings, Patricia Like Liked by 1 person. Thank you for your comments, Patricia. Well said, brother! Thanks for your comment! Also this video: Like Liked by 1 person. Thank you for the kind words, Sharon! These are fascinating trends! Thanks for commenting, David! What am I going to do about that? Still trying to figure that out.
Of course, once I finish this, I will realize it is not finished. Blessings, Dawn Like Like. Anyway, your comments are helpful and even fascinating. Thank you. Blessings Chris Like Like. Thanks, Tim, for your comment. Blessings to you. A very helpful summary! Hi, Katherine, Well, now that you put it that way…. This is excellent.
Thanks for posting it. Well done good and faithful servant. Well done. Thank you for your generous words, Scott. Thanks for this opportunity to voice my opinion! Blessings to you, Neal! All the best, Neal Like Like. Thank you, Kathy. I appreciate your explanations. But, why does it matter???? Anyway, you ask a fascinating question. Thank you, Brenda, for your comment. Blessings, Chris Like Like. Thank you, Chris, for your generous comment. Yours is a great, thought-provoking comment, Sam.
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Our ancestry may be old, but our thinking is not. At our church you don't have to check your brain at the door. We believe that science and religion are not mutually exclusive. We worship a Still Speaking God of extravagant welcome. No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey: you're welcome here. As part of the United Church of Christ UCC , we are rooted in the spirit of reform, and are committed to on-going learning about our faith and our world, to meaningful worship and spiritual growth, to social justice and to advocacy, to ecumenicity, and to mission and outreach.
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