Calvin Synod Herald, 2008 (109. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
2008-09-01 / 9-10. szám
10 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Faithful and Welcoming Churches 2008 Biannual National Gathering Report The second biannual National Gathering of Faithful and Welcoming Churches was held at the UCC’s “church house” in Cleveland, Ohio, and the adjoining Radisson Hotel, owned by the UCC. About 70 people from 12 conferences participated in the gathering. Faithful and Welcoming Churches is a network of ECOT (evangelical, conservative, orthodox, or traditional) pastors and congregations in the United Church of Christ. Calvin Synod was a sponsoring organization, Bishop Ludwig was the first elected Recording Secretary and the Rev. Albert W. Kovács was a founding member of the Board of Directors. Worship with Jim Heidinger The gathering opened with worship Thursday night, including a message from Rev. James V. Heidinger II, Publisher of Good News Magazine, gave the address during the meeting. He shared encouraging stories from renewal efforts in the United Methodist Church, and declared, “The work of renewal is a necessary, right, and urgent work.” Open Forum with John Thomas UCC President and General Minister John Thomas, now in the final year of his two terms in office, met with us Friday morning. John commended FWC for reminding the UCC of its “core theological convictions,” and shared his perspectives on the Preamble to the UCC Constitution. He quoted Douglas Horton, who said that worship is “the happy balance of creativity and solidarity,” and said that the UCC’s history is one of seeking that same balance in matters theological. Roundtable with UCC Officers Friday afternoon three members of the UCC’s collegium of officers met with the FWC for a roundtable discussion, responding both to prepared questions that had been submitted in advance and to open questions. John Thomas was joined for this session by Cally Rogers-Witte, Executive Minister for Wider Church Ministries, and Steve Sterner, Interim Executive Minister for Local Church Ministries. The theme of the session was following up on FWC’s 2007 General Synod resolution asking for increased representation of ECOT perspectives in the wider church. Among the conversation topics and responses were the following points: • As for increasing ECOT participation on various boards at the national level, most nominations come through the conferences. ECOT members should become active in their own conferences and then indicate interest in various areas of church. • Questions regarding the UCC presidential search process should be directed to Dr. Henry Simmons, chair of the search committee or to the staff member facilitating the process. • John Thomas is willing to initiate an internal conversation about linking FWC with the UCC web page. • Issues with ECOT pastoral availability are not just about ECOTs. There are currently 600 pulpit vacancies in the UCC, and only 200 pastoral profiles circulating. ECOT churches should nurture and help call ECOT pastors, working through evangelical seminaries such as Fuller and Gordon-Conwell. • Questions about unfair treatment of ECOT clergy should be addressed directly with Church and Ministry Committees, conference staff, and, if necessary, conference Boards of Directors. • National staff people receive 50-100 e-mails a day. Often a phone call will get better response, because “the phone doesn’t ring as often.” • The theological position of the UCC is still that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and head of the church. Ordination is up to associations, but John Thomas said he personally would have a hard time approving any candidate for ordination who did not affirm Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Workshops provided the group an opportunity to learn more and interact in small groups. You can experience many of the workshops vicariously by following the links below. • UCC Legacy - FWC Board member John Brown shared a “Power Point” to orient group members to the heritage of the UCC. • Introduction to FWC - FWC Board member John Roberts gave an overview of the history of FWC and its goals on a Power Point presentation. You may also request a 20-minute DVD created by FWC President Bob Thompson that overviews some of this same material. To order this free resource, e-mail or call 828.328.6196, ext. 216. • Christ for India - Rick Mortimer shared the ministry of this fine ECOT-friendly mission organization that FWC churches may want to consider supporting. • ALPHA Renewal - FWC Board member John Wagner has found the ALPHA program very useful in bringing new life to congregations. • Strategic Teams - Bill Boylan, pastor of Byfield Parish Church, and Jim Harrell, UCC team leader, shared their experiences and perspective of how ECOT churches in the UCC can participate through prayer, networking, and presence for renewal in the UCC. The congregation has a vision for developing an “Overseed” ministry of renewing congregations with ECOT leadership. • Mainline Renewal Efforts - Serena Sargent, representing the Association for Church Renewal, gave a history of renewal efforts in mainline churches and an overview of the current scene. She was joined for the Q&A time by Jim Heidinger, Chairman of ACR. • How Did we Get Here? - FWC Board member Steve Clifford shared stories from more than two decades of experiences with renewal efforts in the UCC. • UCC Policy - FWC Board member Greg Kenney interacted with attendees and national staff members concerning the structure of the United Church of Christ. • Tour of the Church House - Gwen Thomas of the Still Speaking Initiative and other national staff members hosted a tour of the Amistad Chapel and other key areas of the “church house.”
