General Synod Devotion: A Big Tent

Scripture: Exodus 40:38 – “For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, before the eyes of all the house of Israel at each stage of their journey.” (NRSVUE)

Today was the first day of votes on resolutions and amendments. We got a lot accomplished, but there were also some strong feelings as we discussed what inclusion really means. One phrase we kept returning to was “big tent”, that the UCC was large enough and rich enough to encompass many different experiences and understandings. I saw the idea of the “big tent” at work at three points in our work today.

The first related to the Resolution on Full Communion Relationship Between the United Church of Christ and Iglesia Evangélica Unida de Puerto Rico. To give some background, the IEUPR became a conference of the United Church of Christ in 1990, reflecting common theological understandings. However, it dissolved all relations with the UCC in 2006 after the UCC voted to endorse gay marriage. As the UCC and IEUPR seemed to move back toward a relationship, the question was: could we accept a church which in some ways defined itself by rejecting LGBTQIA+ people as fully Christian?

The answer was yes, and not because we lost our deep support for LGBTQIA+ people, but rather because the only way to change minds and hearts is to be relationship with each other. Ours is a united and uniting church. It has been since 1957. And we must continue to unite into a big tent, even if we disagree on very important matters. What some anticipated being a contentious issue passed handily.

The second point I want to reflect upon is the request by the Small Town and Rural Coalition (STAR) to be recognized as a Self-Created Group. This group was formed from churches outside urban areas who felt that the UCC did not prioritize or even appreciate their specific needs. By becoming a Self-Created Group, they would have a greater voice at the national setting. However, some felt that this voice would be used to moderate the theology of the UCC, especially as it relates to the LGBTQIA+ question. Since small town and rural churches are in fact a majority in the UCC, could they even be considered underrepresented? Things got a bit contentious. But again, we fell back on the idea of the big tent, that we were greater when we heard many voices and not just those we agreed with. This motion also passed, but by a narrow margin.

The last point was the final vote of the evening on an amendment to Constitution that would shift the employment of Associate General Ministers from being called by the General Synod to being appointed by the General Minister and President. This was so the UCC could be more like a non-profit corporation (which legally it is), including having a CEO with the power to hire and fire staff. The UCC had been moving in this direction for decades. We were asked to trust the GMP and UCC Board to hold the associates accountable. But the majority rejected this idea and voted down the amendment, not because they did not appreciate our amazing GMP or our hardworking Board, but because it went against the idea of the big tent, of being united and uniting, of having many voices heard.

Democracy is messy and it is very tempting to just have everyone follow one leader and do what they are told. But my theology, at least, sees that all are made in God’s image and that all, as much as is practicable, should have a voice and vote in their lives. This means sometimes I may have to pray next to someone who disagrees with me. Maybe they disagree with me on how to spend our resources on those in need, or maybe they are someone who thinks my trans son should have his rights removed. The last one is a really hard one. But if we can stand together, we can pray together, and if we can pray together, we can know that God will walk beside us. I like to think that more divine truth and light comes to us when we are not alone. And if they know that I stand with them in their time of need, I think that are more likely to stand next to my son and me in ours. And that is what the Body of Christ is all about.

Even if you are not intimately involved or interested in the United Church of Christ and its General Synod and resolutions and bylaws, I bet there is some place in your life that is a big tent, where you need to be in relationship with people who you dislike or disagree with. As tempting as it would be to retreat into our cliques and our silos, real hope requires us to work together, at least so long as safety and dignity are maintained. I hope you can see whatever your big tent as the imperfect opportunity for love it is.

Prayer: God, help me to stand beside my neighbor, even when we disagree, so that we might always experience your grace together. Amen.