Posted on 04/07/2006 11:03:13 AM PDT by Presbyterian Reporter
The liberal-controlled United Church of Christ (UCC) has unveiled its latest television ad, which features an intolerant and presumably conservative church ejecting an "African-American mother," "a gay couple, an Arab-American, [and] a person using a walker," According to Thomas, the ad showcases the "extravagant" hospitality of the Christian gospel.
But almost all major networks -- CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and WB -- have rejected the ads, believing they are "issue advocacy"
The spiritual descendant of New England's old Puritans, the UCC can claim an historical and social pedigree equal to the Episcopal Church. Both denominations are well-heeled, well educated and disproportionately comprised of social and political elites. Both are also liberal-controlled and suffering steep membership decline.
Despite all of its welcoming and affirming, the UCC has lost one million members over the last 40 years, or over 40 percent of its original membership.
Last year's decision by the UCC to become the first major U.S. denomination formally to endorse same-sex "marriage" only contributed to the UCC's membership plunge. At least one hundred congregations have voted to leave the UCC just since 2005, as recorded by www.faithfulandaffirming.org. The ultimate number probably will be several times that.
Forty years ago, one out of every six Americans belonged to a mainline Protestant denomination like the UCC. Today, it is one out of 15 Americans.
Of this demographic change, UCC leaders seem oblivious. In a speech last month at Gettsyburg College, UCC President John Thomas blasted conservative religious influence.
Endlessly including, affirming, and declaring "Yes!" the declining UCC has been rewarded with only further membership loss and growing apathy. A church trying to catch up with the secular culture, instead of adhering to its historic doctrines, almost always enters a hamster wheel that leads nowhere.
(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...
Despite all of its welcoming and affirming, the UCC has lost one million members over the last 40 years, or over 40 percent of its original membership.
At least one hundred congregations have voted to leave the UCC just since 2005,
As the above quotes from the story indicate, the UCC does a much better job of ejecting members than any of the other mainline and soon to be sideline protestant churches.
As it should be!
All the Spirtuality, With None Of That Annoying Sin
Now With Even More Affirmation!
Even the leftists at the Networks couldn't be part of this anti-Christian propaganda campaign.
Sort of tells us volumes about the people who attempted to slander faithful Christians in this manner, doesn't it?
"The United Church of Christ is a diverse community of faith, held together by covenant and in Christ. We know there are thousands, perhaps millions, of people who have not been to church in many years, or ever, simply because they never knew that a community of faith like the UCC exists."
Maybe the reason they have not been in church is they did know about the UCC.
My brother took his church out a couple of years ago and has been advising UCC churchs how to go about it.
"he UCC has lost one million members over the last 40 years, or over 40 percent of its original membership."
Matthew 15:13
But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
I never thought of it like that, but it is striking -- religious denominations that claim to be most "inclusive" are indeed driving people away!
"religious denominations that claim to be most "inclusive" are indeed driving people away!"
... like the stench that comes from a dying body.
"The liberal-controlled United Church of Christ (UCC) has unveiled its latest television ad, which features an intolerant and presumably conservative church ejecting an 'African-American mother,' 'a gay couple, an Arab-American, [and] a person using a walker,' According to Thomas, the ad showcases the 'extravagant' hospitality of the Christian gospel."
Who actually has ever encountered a church like this, conservative or otherwise?
I know a few churches would disfellowship/excommunicate an openly active homosexual couple, but an Arab-American? An African-American? A person using a walker??
Where do they get this cr@p from? Talk about stereotyping!
These folks are hallucinatory.
sitetest
You have no idea how my heart is breaking. I was firmly raised in the Evangelical & Reformed which, as you may know, merged with the Congregational Church to form the UCC. My church home was lost and my pilgrimage to the Roman Catholic Church was completed 25 years ago (where I was received with love and open arms).
My hope and my prayers for my birth family (which was rich in the teachings of Jesus and love of one another -- hate the sin, but love the sinner) is that they will somehow find their way back to the roots of my faith which it was responsible for giving me will bring them home again. I'll be waiting -- I'll never give up -- I'll meet them again with tears of joy.
You have no idea how my heart is breaking. I was firmly raised in the Evangelical & Reformed which, as you may know, merged with the Congregational Church to form the UCC. My church home was lost and my pilgrimage to the Roman Catholic Church was completed 25 years ago (where I was received with love and open arms).
My hope and my prayers for my birth family (which was rich in the teachings of Jesus and love of one another -- hate the sin, but love the sinner) is that they will somehow find their way back to the roots of my faith which it was responsible for giving me will bring them home again. I'll be waiting -- I'll never give up -- I'll meet them again with tears of joy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.