Charging a Denomination with a Mission

' I attended the Rev. Geoffery Black installation - our newly elected General Minister of the United Church of Christ. The audio snip to which I speak in this article is delivered by Hawai’i Conference Minister Charles Buck. Take a listen. In due time I will have the complete audio polished and published. I enjoyed the installation. It was a wonderful experience. And, I like the direction the United Church of Christ is moving. Or, is asked to be moving. But, I wanted to share this particular segment of a pastoral charge to the members (that is us) which would be the denomination as a whole. I don't take these things lightly. Nor do I think anyone should. Words and collections of statements are powerful. And, give clues to where we stand and where we wish to go. Here, the story line is the theme which has been alluded to throughout the run-up to and in this installation. Proclaiming the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ. Spreading THE Love.

Rev. Geoffery Black pictured right addresses the crowd during the celebration dinner Friday prior to the installation on Saturday, April 17. Also the theme of the Viral Spiral ADVert by Still Speaking. The theme? That invitation into the body of Christ and specifically to our local congregation is EACH and EVERYONES calling NOT JUST the PASTOR or a COMMITTEE within the given church. A corollary is we are in the business NOT of BRINGING IN but rather SENDING OUT. In some ways that is a chicken or egg approach, but I can buy it. Always have. But, listen to how this theme, "It is not our mission to bring people in but rather to send them out" turns with the allusion to Barrack Obama. I have gotten over this. In fact, I said from the outset that the UCC - these were national types speaking - that the fuss over Barrack was misplaced. However, at this place and this time, does this allusion need to be made because there is still alot of consternation over Barrack resigning from Trinity? So, we need a story to put it behind us?

Should we share any of the blame? Even pastors? Would we go there? I didn't hear it. Should we? If you wonder what the reference to the perfect church is all about, that is a play on Glenn Beck calling on local congregation members to run away as fast as one can from a church if with a pastor preaching social justice. Good line. But, I think that is just a final washing of hands statement since Glenn Beck (and, Lord knows I'm not in the least a fan of his) spoke of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Barrack Obama in the same breath. Or, am I being too serious? Is this just ALL COMIC RELIEF? What do you think? Maybe folks don't care what others will think or derive from these connections of the dots. But, it has ramifications. Does this shed more light? Or more heat and require even more explanation? I guess in the end I need someone to explain R E A L L Y S L O W L Y how Obama leaving Trinity United Church of Christ AND NOT attending church during his time in the White House is a GOOD thing. No matter how you slice it. Or, spin it. Clue me in.