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Honoring Historic Identities
Honor historic identities
Reading the original letter regarding using "UCC" in church names and the responses [Soapbox, Oct.-Nov.] , I can't help but find it ironic that, on the one hand, many seem to want to demand that churches drop their historic names by adding UCC while at the same time, the UCC constantly showcases what are called "UCC firsts" — the Pilgrims, early stands against slavery, first ordained African-American, etc. Few of those listed are actually UCC firsts; the UCC didn't exist when they happened. They belong to the rich history of Congregational, Christian, Reformed and Evangelical churches.
The founders of the UCC wisely guaranteed the right of all churches to their historic identities and ways. We dishonor them when we engage in a cultural imperialism that attempts to wipe away the fact that others, many others, came before. We should celebrate UCC accomplishments in the last 50 years as such but an historical blindness serves no one.
The church I serve is proud to be a Congregational Church in the UCC. We are also proud to be a member of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, and we are daily blessed by the fellowship of our brothers and sisters in both families. But we know that where Christ is leading us is far more important than our name or the letters that come after it.
The Rev. James E. Eaton
First Congregational Church UCC
Member, NACCC
Owosso, Mich.
Editor's Note: Rev. Eaton conveniently avoids applying the same reasoning to the NACCC which was formed in 1955 by those opposed to the formation of the UCC. The congregation voted to join the NACCC in 2007, specifically, so that Rev. Eaton could keep his job as editor of the Congregationalist magazine. However, this was not enough for the NACCC who relieved him of the position shortly thereafter.
Interview with Anthony Robinson
Being Church in a Post-Christendom Culture (excerpt from the Congregationalist 2008, V2)
Given the history of Congregational churches (whether of UCC or NA variety), many of our churches were the first churches in a community, so they sometimes have what could be called “First Church Syndrome,” where they act like they’re still dominant even though the world has changed. Has the end of Christendom been even more difficult on Congregational churches?What’s gone on in culture the last 40 years has involved a loss of power, place and clout for the mainline churches. And it has something to do, frankly, with the passing of the “White Anglo Saxon Protestant” establishment in this country. We are becoming, like it or not, an ethnically, culturally and racially diverse culture. Many of those First Churches were (and this is not a bad thing) standard bearers of that WASP world and elite. Part of post-modernity is that there isn’t one elite anymore. It’s always shifting. I think we need to figure out a way to make our history lemonade as opposed to lemons, to carry it forward with us, and have some continuing value in it, without using it as a point of social superiority… to balance an identity that is both traditional and contemporary. I think the UCC has tried to do this recently through an aspect of the “God Is Still Speaking” campaign. One of the things that came out of that is a new way to frame the denominational story that wasn’t so much Mayflower and Pilgrims but that we are a tradition of firsts — and much of this applies to NA churches, too: We’re the first church to ordain an African American. We’re the first church to ordain a woman. So there’s a church of firsts that does make an authentic connection but claims it in a way that has a contemporary relevance, a way that avoids your "First Church" syndrome.
Last Updated (Tuesday, 02 December 2008 23:49)