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Minister and President’s Message
With recognition comes responsibility to speak Christ
April, 2002
By Nancy S. Taylor
Over the past six months a subtle change has occurred. The first time I issued a press statement, I indicated that the United Church of Christ is “the largest Protestant denomination in the Commonwealth.” The Boston Globe was neither impressed nor persuaded. Instead, feeling the need to explain us to their readership, we were defined as “a Protestant denomination, also known as Congregational.”
However, since that time, five different articles in The Boston Globe have referred to the United Church of Christ as “the largest Protestant denomination in the Commonwealth.” We may be tempted to regard this recognition as a victory; but it is a victory heavy with responsibility. Jesus said, “From everyone to whom much is given, much will be required…” (Luke 12.48b) It is given to us to be the largest Protestant denomination in the Commonwealth. It is, therefore, required of us that we use the influence of that position to bear Christ to this broken world.
> Comment on this article through our Discussion Forum In fact, that is precisely what we have been trying to do. We have sought to do so by initiating a conversation with legislators concerning a bill that could require clergy to become mandated reporters in instances where harm is being done to children. As the largest Protestant denomination in the Commonwealth, our voice had enough weight to call others to the table. We used our influence to bear Christ to this broken world on behalf of innocent children.
To cite another example: at our Annual Meeting this summer our clergy and delegates will be invited to wield the influence of our numbers to eradicate home-lessness in Massachusetts. The invitation will come in the form of a resolution sponsored by four UCC congregations engaged in ministries with homeless families. Today there is an unprecedented opportunity to end homelessness in the Commonwealth. If we, the members of the largest Protestant denomination, exercise our influence as citizens by advocating with the legislature, we can overcome homelessness.
As a Conference of 432 churches, we are covenanted to act together in the name of Christ, and to speak Christ, to this broken world. We do so with Jesus’ words ringing in our ears: “From everyone to whom much is given, much will be required…”