We once attended a UCC service by accident. We had just moved to the area and were “church-hopping” looking for a congregation. I had visited their web site, but nothing on it raised my suspicion.
The first shock came in the form of a female minister. She was not listed on the web site, but she was there nonetheless.
The next shock was delivered by a representative from their national HQ. She was pleading the cause for greater contributions so that the UCC could pursue its agenda. That agenda was filled with political and social causes, but nary a word about Christ or the Gospel.
Next came an intentional misreading of Scripture that changed the meaning of an entire passage. Since we were the only people in the place with a Bible, we were likely the only ones who noticed the egregious manipulation of God’s Word.
The final straw came when the senior pastor led the congregation in prayer to the “father-mother god”. No kidding. In the words of that famous nautical philosopher, “That’s alls I can stands; I can’t stands no more!” We stood up and left in mid-prayer.
We had been looking for a church of Christ, and stumbled into this United Church of Christ. Words matter; and that word “united” is a huge differentiator!
After we left, I felt cheated and lied to. I felt the UCC misrepresented themselves, and ought remove Christ from their name, altogether.
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7
How do we gain experience? By making mistakes.
Sounds like it was a real freak show!