The United Church of Christ is a Christian denomination. Periodically, bodies within the United Church of Christ issue resolutions for various reasons. These statements may or may not be representative of the United Church of Christ. This article documents notable resolutions from the various formal bodies of the United Church of Christ.
Resolutions about denominational statements
The 2001 "Mutual respect within the faith community " [1] resolution passed by General Synod XXIII "calls upon all levels of the United church of Christ, the national covenanted ministries, conferences, associations, and individual congregations of the denomination to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of a church with such a diverse population and difference of theological beliefs and to identify representatives or groups issuing statements to indicate that they speak only on behalf of themselves or their groups and not on behalf of or for the entire 1.4 million members of the United Church of Christ."
A proposed resolution being submitted by the Faithful and Welcoming Renewal group to General Synod XXVI [2] "seeks to "address the concerns of congregations that may be considering withdrawal from the United Church of Christ by reaffirming our classical and centrist theological heritage and by explicitly including in our extravagant welcome those members and churches considering themselves to be evangelical, conservative, orthodox, or traditional in theological outlook" This resolution "acknowledges the existence of a broad spectrum of thought on contemporary issues of theology and ethics, and advocates fair representation of ECOT and centrist points of view alongside liberal and progressive points of view in all settings of the United Church of Christ, including official gatherings and publications" and "calls upon all settings of the church to consider prayerfully its policies and statements in terms of their impact on the unity and future of local churches, associations, and conferences in the UCC."
General Synod Resolution Overview
The denomination's churchwide deliberative body is the General Synod, which meets every two years. The General Synod is composed of delegates elected from the Conferences (distributed proportionally by conference size) together with the boards of directors of each of the four covenanted ministries (see below, under National Offices).
While General Synod provides the most visible voice of the "stance of the denomination" on any particular issue, the covenantal polity of the denomination means that General Synod speaks to local churches, associations, and conferences, but not for them. Thus, the other settings of the church are always allowed to hold differing views and practices on all non-constitutional matters.
General Synod considers three kinds of resolutions:
Pronouncements: A Pronouncement is a statement of Christian conviction on a matter of moral or social principle and has been adopted by a two-thirds vote of a General Synod.
Proposals for Action: A Proposal for Action is a recommendation for specific directional statements and goals implementing a Pronouncement. A Proposal for Action normally accompanies a Pronouncement. (See link above regarding Pronouncements.)
Resolutions and Other Formal Motions Which may consist of the following three types:
Resolutions of Witness: A Resolution of Witness is an expression of the General Synod concerning a moral, ethical, or religious matter confronting the church, the nation, or the world, adopted for the guidance of the officers, Associated, or Affiliated Ministries, or other bodies as defined in Article VI of the Bylaws of the United Church of Christ; the consideration of local churches, Associations, Conferences, and other bodies related to the United Church of Christ; and for a Christian witness to the world. It represents agreement by at least two-thirds of the delegates voting that the view expressed is based on Christian conviction and is a part of their witness to Jesus Christ.
Prudential Resolutions: A Prudential Resolution establishes policy, institutes or revises structure or procedures, authorizes programs, approves directions, or requests actions by a majority vote.
A Call for Peace, Justice and Reunification in the Korean Peninsula: [9]
A Call for the United Church of Christ to Take Actions Toward a Just Peace in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: this resolution endorsed Kairos Palestine and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, proving globally controversial and provoking negative responses from the Israeli government and media.[1][2]
Responsible Stewardship of the Outer Space Environment: [10]
Reaffirming Our Commitment to Full Equality for Persons of Any Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity of Gender Expression: [11]
Transition from Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy: [12]
Calling for the United Church of Christ to Repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery Which Authorized the Genocide of Native People and the Theft of Native Lands: [13]
Resolution Supporting Compassionate Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the Protection of the Human Rights of Immigrants: [14]
To Recognize the Need for Compassionate Care and Healing to Our Veterans: [15]
A Resolution on Ecumenical Relationship Between the United Church of Christ and the United Church of Canada: [16]
Calling for an All Church Offering for Supporting the Educational Expenses of Members in Discernment Preparing for Authorized Ministry of the United Church of Christ: [20]
A Resolution in Support of Outdoor Ministries of the United Church of Christ: [21]
The United Samoan Ministries of the United Church of Christ Request to be Recognized as a Historically Underrepresented Group and Member of the Council for Racial and Ethnic Ministries: [22]
Resolution Against Bullying and Discrimination: [23]
Resolution on Advocating for Funding to Construct Quality Affordable Housing: [24]
Advocating for Tax Reform as Christian Stewardship and Public Duty: This resolution endorsed several left-liberal tax reform policies and the creation of a more "progressive, fair, neutral, adequate, and redistributive" tax system.
A Call to Respond to Violence and Human Rights Violations in Honduras Resulting from Illegal Drug Trafficking and Drug Policy in the United States: [25]
A Call for a Reflection and Advocacy on Behalf of the Democratic Republic of Congo: This resolution called for solidarity and advocacy for "Congolese security and sovereignty" from multinational corporations and neighboring states that have hindered democratic advancements and the work of UCC ecumenical partners in the region.
Putting Our Money Where Our Values Are: Evaluating Church Financial Relationships: This resolution asks that all levels of the UCC only relate with financial institutions if they "have records of fair lending, business and investing practices."
Affirming Healthcare Coverage for UCC Authorized Ministers and Their Families
The Right of LBGT Parents to Adopt and Raise Children: This resolution endorses the non-consideration of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression in evaluating potential adoptive parents.
Supporting International Human Rights Related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: [28]
On Actions of Hostility Against Islam and the Muslim Community: [29]
Resolution for Mindful and Faithful Eating: This resolution calls for UCC members and settings to consider concerns of ecology, animal welfare, and "the needs and concerns of workers" in making dietary decisions.
A Resolution to Form a Theological Forum: In this resolution, submitted by delegates from the Synod floor, the Synod requested a forum "to engage the widest possible diversity of perspectives within the United Church of Christ" in "theological reflection and dialogue."
A Call to Awareness and Action to End the Practice of Trafficking in Persons: [31]
An Urgent Call For Advocacy in Support of Healthcare For All, as in H.R. 676: [32]
Toward Unified Governance for the National Setting of the United Church of Christ: [33]
An Economic Justice Covenant: This resolution calls upon churches to prioritize fighting economic inequality and working with social justice organizations.
A Call To Be Global Mission Churches in the United Church of Christ: [34]
A Call for Study of Our Church's Involvement in the Eugenics Movement: [35]
Calling For Comprehensive HIV Prevention in Church and Community: [36]
Affirming the Accra Confession: Covenanting for Justice in the Economy and the Earth: This resolution endorsed the view, taken by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (which included the UCC) at its 2004 assembly in Accra, Ghana, that "neoliberal economic globalization" is a system that "impoverish[es] and oppress[es] people around the world and in the U.S." and must be replaced by systems "more in line with God's vision for God's world."
Roles of Church and Government in Addressing the Global Food Crisis: This resolution lays out "ways in which our consumerism leads to food insecurity," and calls for study and advocacy on how to make the global food system more just and equitable.
Solidarity and Friendship with Iran: This resolution addresses the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests, declaring "solidarity with the people of Iran" and calling for the government of Iran to cease its "violence, repression, and bloodshed" against demonstrators and others.
Responsible Meeting Practice: This resolution calls upon UCC churches to live the principles of "creation care and social justice" in how meetings are organized.
Note: The numbered links to resolutions, are to resolutions as proposed. The links to "Minutes" are the links to the official GS 25 Minutes, which document reports the resolutions as passed. Direct links to pages within the GS 25 minutes file do not work with some combinations of versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Adobe Reader.
Supporting congregations and providing guidance for stewardship of God's creation during the coming period of declining fossil fuels.[65]Minutes Page 13 (discussion)
Establishing representative and senatorial Synods. (Referred to Executive Council for study)[66]Minutes Page 57
Pension supplementation for Native American ordained and licensed ministers [75]
Pastoral compensation ("To address compensatory disparities existing among American Indian clergy and non-native clergy serving congregations in the United Church of Christ")[76]
Health effects and impacts of tobacco on children, teenagers, and their families [78]
The epidemic of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome on the continent of Africa [79]
Colombia ( "The purpose of this resolution is to help our conferences become more aware of the situation in Colombia and give concrete suggestions for how to respond to crisis.")[80]
Calling upon the United Church of Christ to initiate a jubilee for justice for rural America [81]
Calling for a more just, humane direction for economic globalization [82]
Access to excellent public schools: a child's civil right in the 21st century [83]
Calling on the United Church of Christ to join the Decade to Overcome Violence [84]
Anti-Semitism ("This resolution calls on the Twenty-third General Synod of the United Church of Christ to face the problem of anti-Semitism, to help the congregations become aware of the problem of anti-Semitism, and to address the issue through both education and concrete actions")[85]
"Affirming democratic principles in an emerging global economy" [99]
"FIDELITY AND INTEGRITY IN ALL COVENANTED RELATIONSHIPS" [100]
Reclaiming The Role of Pastor as Teacher adopted but not funded.[citation needed]
It was recommended that the Office for Church Life and Leadership along with Conference and Association Church and Ministry Committees;
1. emphasize that the call to Ordained Ministry includes a call to teach as well as to pastor and
2. develop clearer guidelines on how this calling to teach informs expectations in the training and
standing of Pastors;
1995 - Twentieth General Synod XX
Resolution “on the need for educating members of the United Church of Christ about the principle of separation of church and state”
"Ethical Guidelines for Labor Relations for United Church of Christ Organizations and Related Organizations " [101]
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1977 - Eleventh General Synod
“The Right to Earn a Living”,
“Civil Liberties Without Discrimination Based on Affectional or Sexual Preference
RECOMMENDATIONS IN REGARD TO THE HUMAN SEXUALITY STUDY (Reception of the Human Sexuality Task Force Report [110] -- this vote (490 Yes; 210 No) spurred the formation of the United Church People for Biblical Witness, later to become the Biblical Witness Fellowship.
1975 - Tenth General Synod
"The Pacific and Asian American Ministries
RESOLUTION ON HUMAN SEXUALITY AND THE NEEDS OF GAY AND BISEXUAL PERSONS [111]-- "The Tenth Synod requests the Executive Council to commission a study concerning the dynamics of human sexuality and the theological basis for a Christian ethic concerning human sexuality, and to recommend postures for the church, to be presented to the Eleventh General Synod."
declaration of commitment to improving the criminal justice system so that prisons become primarily institutions or training and rehabilitation of the inmates, 1971.
1969 - Seventh General Synod
“demand for law and order be combined with a demand for justice"
Adoption of Report on Integrated Quality Education
Adoption of Report on Ecumenism & On Commission on Racial Unity
Recommendation for Continuing Racial Justice Now
1963 - Fourth General Synod
In 1963, the 4th General Synod called upon the United Church of Christ to be "radically committed" to "uproot intolerance, bigotry, and prejudice within our own living and to replace them with goodwill and the determination to strike down immediately the barriers which divide [people] on account of race. [116]
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