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Leaders of the 1.3-million-member United Church of Christ are reporting
mixed statistical and financial outcomes - both positive and negative
during the six-month period that followed its General Synod’s
controversial decision to affirm support for same-gender marriage
equality.

Since July, about 49 churches - or less than one percent of the UCC’s
5,725 churches - have voted to disaffiliate, according to the
denomination’s research office. Most, but not all, of the departures
appear related to disagreement with the marriage-equality resolution.
The withdrawals, however, also come amid a resurgence of interest in
the UCC by new or existing churches, with 23 congregations affiliating
with the UCC during 2005 and an additional 42 churches expressing a
“firm interest” in joining. The year also ended with some hopeful
financial indicators, including significant increases for some national
offerings and special appeals.

“The number of departing churches is far fewer than some had earlier projected,” said General Minister and President John H. Thomas. “We grieve the loss of any and every congregation that decides to leave,” Thomas said, “not only because of the loss of members but also for the loss of shared history, ministry and fellowship.”

Based on 2004 financial data, the 49 withdrawing churches - with a
combined membership of 10,535 - contributed about $89,000 annually to
support Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM), less than three-tenths of 1
percent of the $32 million contributed to OCWM each year.

Church officials also reported a sharp increase in inquiries about UCC
affiliation. The Rev. David Schoen of the UCC’s Evangelism Ministry,
said that, in addition to discussions with 42 existing non-UCC
churches, his office has had conversations with more than 20 pastors or
lay persons interested in starting new congregations where none
currently exists. “We’ve seen great new enthusiasm for new church
development,” Schoen said.

In October, the 4,300-member Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, Texas, voted
overwhelmingly to pursue UCC affiliation and cited the General Synod’s
marriage resolution as a motivating factor behind its decision.At
least two more large-membership churches with an eye toward joining the
UCC have planned congregational votes in 2006.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 at 9:31 am and is filed under UCC Peace and Justice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.