wfn.org | [UCC NEWS] Since Synod, UCC reports positive, negative fallout

[guessb@ucc.org]

United Church News
United Church of Christ
The Rev. Robert Chase, communications director
216/736-2173
<chaser@ucc.org>
<www.ucc.org>

For immediate release
January 19, 2006

SINCE NEWSWORTHY GENERAL SYNOD, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST REPORTS BOTH
POSITIVE, NEGATIVE FALLOUT

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, who
nonetheless described the last half of 2005 as a period marked by
"extensive conversation," "education," and at times, "exhaustion."

"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 withdrawing churches ? with a combined
membership of 10,535 ? contributed about $89,000 annually to support Our
Church's Wider Mission (OCWM), the denomination's shared purse that funds
ministries at the Association, Conference, national and international
settings. Those receipts represent less than three-tenths of 1 percent
of
the $32 million contributed to OCWM each year.

Most of the departing churches appear to have been distancing themselves
financially from the denomination for many years, said William Morgan,
the
UCC's chief financial officer.

Morgan also acknowledged that an undetermined number of churches have voted
to remain with the UCC but have indicated they will consider reducing
financial support for OCWM in 2006. That effort, he said, could be offset
by supportive congregations that intend to increase OCWM contributions.
"While some fluctuations in OCWM can surely be attributed to Synod-related
issues," Morgan said, "we're also hearing from many churches that have
other budgetary concerns, such as rising heating costs, insurance premiums
and other expenses that impact their OCWM giving. There are other factors
to consider."

The UCC is unique among many of the historical mainline denominations
because individual congregations retain legal ownership of their buildings
and property, making it easier for UCC congregations to decide their own
futures. Worth noting, not all churches that vote to leave the UCC
necessarily stay away forever. In the past two years, five once-departed
churches have voted to return.

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.

The process by which local Associations grant formal standing to incoming
churches can sometimes take several months to complete, Schoen said.

In addition to the inquiries, 10 churches were granted full standing during
the year and 13 congregations were recognized as newly planted churches.

The UCC also marked a record-setting year for financial support of special
offerings and appeals, global disaster response and the UCC's Stillspeaking
Initiative.

"While every setting of the church has fretted over finances this year,
members of the United Church of Christ have demonstrated amazing,
record-breaking generosity," Thomas announced in late December.

UCC members contributed a record-shattering $9 million through national
church offices to support national and international relief ? a response
fueled by churchwide concern for victims of the tsunami in Asia and East
Africa, the hurricanes in the southeastern U.S., violence in Darfur and the
Sudan, the earthquake in Pakistan and Kashmir, as well as global hunger and
the spread of HIV/AIDS infection. The 2005 financial total is more than
three times the $2.1 million given over a two-year period in response to
the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Web-based giving through <ucc.org> quadrupled in 2005, with nearly $500,000
coming from 2,800 givers, a three-fold increase in online donors.

Although year-end remittances are not due until the end of January, Morgan
projects the church will come close to its $32 million goal for national
and Conference basic support, which funds the church's mission
infrastructure. Plus, he said, it looks like the church will realize a
3-to-5 percent overall increase in receipts for the UCC's four national
special-mission offerings, which are received annually and earmarked for
global development, justice advocacy, evangelism and church renewal, and
support for church retirees.

Also, more than $1.5 million in second-mile giving was received to support
the Stillspeaking Initiative, the UCC's national advertising campaign,
which is planning to debut a third TV commercial in late March.

The UCC, located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, was formed in 1957 with
the union of the Congregational Christian Churches in America and the
Evangelical and Reformed Church. Many of the UCC's congregations and
buildings are among this nation's oldest, with more than one-tenth of UCC
churches formed before 1776.

###