A Reflection by Rev Roberto Ochoa, Conference Minister for the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences of the United Church of Christ
“Then Jesus said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed, and they left him and went away.” (Matt 22:21-22 – NRSVUE)
Greetings my friends from Kansas City, MO, the site of this year’s 35th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. What a joy to be attending not only as your Conference Minister but with 40 Delegates and 60+ visitors from the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences of the UCC. To worship, learn in workshops, consider resolutions and other business of the church, sharing resources and networking, and reconnecting with old and new friends alike in the Name of Jesus are the goals of the General Synod. It is the United Church of Christ’s opportunity to celebrate and lament what is happening in the world and for the Church to be reenergized and renewed with God’s everlasting promises of Hope, Faith, and Love we are called to do as followers of Christ.
Of course, present day realities are upon us as we gather in Kansas City. We are experiencing people standing, often with signs to remind us of the atrocities happening in Gaza, the Ukraine and other regions of the world, the concerns over health care availability for women, and the LGBTQ communities, the challenges to our communities brought by immigration policies and the presence of ICE, and of course the passage of a federal finance bill that will impact millions of American families, namely children and the elderly that is reshaping national priorities in a way never seen before in our nation. Many are worried and frightened.
Shortly before the beginning of General Synod, on July 7th, the IRS published a ruling that churches and other 501(3) tax exempt organizations may endorse candidates without the risk of losing their tax-exempt status. Major concerns are being raised about what this may mean in the life of the Church and other faith traditions and the possible risk of exploitation this may cause.
The controversy of blending religion and politics is not new, it has been ongoing since the creation of the Republic, even as most hold dear the idea of the necessity of separation of church and state. This stemmed from the many experiences of immigrants coming to America seeking religious freedom to worship that was being denied to them in their countries of origin. Sometimes though the interpretation has been skewed to favor Christian traditions that has arisen with the rise of an U.S. nationalistic perception that we are the chosen people of a Christian God as “Americans” and that Jesus is all about the U.S.A. instead of being the universal Prince of Peace for the world.
When Jesus was pressed about sovereign loyalties, he made it clear that by accepting the currency of the state, one is indebted to the state, however the loyalty to God exceeds any material resource this life has to offer.
In the United Church of Christ, our governing polity allows each congregation to decide for itself on how it will conduct their worship and governing affairs of their churches, subject to the laws of the land. The UCC relies on the covenantal relationships we have with one another, in that resolutions and decisions coming out of the UCC General Synod are spoken to our local churches, Associations, and Conferences as guidance of the highest degree, however not binding.
In theory, pastors and congregations of the UCC may be free to endorse candidates from the pulpit, however the pastor’s role is to ensure that the care of the whole body of Christ is taken care of. As soon as a pastor endorses a position or candidate, the pastor risks alienating those that hold the opposing view. I see my role as a Pastor as a mediator for resolutions based on the common good and interests for all, and most importantly as guided by God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and prayer….and not what the law of humanity expects or dictates.
We are called to preach the Word of God from the pulpit to bring people together in the Love and Grace we find in Jesus. We are called to consider the state of justice in our communities and the world from the perspectives of what our faith expects from us and not depend on or endorse the promises of a candidate or political party, which ultimately divides us and makes us weaker as the Body of Christ.
In closing may I share this prayer to my dear friends of Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences and beyond by Thomas Merton entitled A Prayer of Unknowing”
“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end…Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.” – Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude, page 79.
Bendiciones y Paz,
Rev Roberto