UCC Committee recommends theological forum instead of a commission

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

UCC Committee recommends theological forum instead of a commission

> Written by Diane Weible
> July 3, 2011

Delegates working in committee Sunday morning are
recommending that General Synod 28 approve a
resolution to create a theological forum instead
of a theological commission ? the intention of
the original version of the resolution.

The intent of the change is to open the dialogue
to anyone who wants to be part of the
conversation, and to insure that as many voices
as possible will be heard. As one delegate
explained, changing the wording is important
because the intention is not to form a position
on any one theological issue, but to promote
lively conversation, which would be possible in a forum-style structure.

Laurel Bentz of the Wisconsin Conference spoke of
the many changes she has seen in her church over
the years, especially after the General Synod in
2005. ?General Synod tells us to have
conversations about these issues,? she said. ?It
doesn?t tell us what to believe or what to do. It
has helped us to heal and to grow.?

Although there was hesitation among some lay
delegates on the committee, others, including
many clergy members, saw the value of a theological forum.

Jason Lee, from the Penn Central Conference,
speaking about the theological forum already
established in his Conference, said, ?I think
it?s an important commission because they give us
a spectrum of things to look at.?

Kevin Peterson of the Pacific Northwest

Conference agreed. ?It would be a great dialogue
resource for people who don?t want to read all
seven Living History volumes but want to learn more.?

A movement in the committee to refer the

resolution to Local Church Ministries in order to
create a more specific proposal for the next
General Synod was, in the end, not considered.
Jim Ritters of the Iowa Conference raised
frustration about the procrastination and the
loss of momentum that would occur if this were to happen.

In addition to changing the wording from

?commission? to ?forum? throughout the resolution
and a few minor word changes, two sentences were
added. The first calls for the forum not to be a
prescriptive council but one that includes
descriptive and diverse theologies from across
the church. The second sentence refers the
resolution to the Office of General Ministries
and Local Church Ministries with the task of
developing a structure to be approved by Executive Council.