A reflection by the Rev Roberto Ochoa, Conference Minister
Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences of the United Church of Christ
“Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi, and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.” (Mark 8:27-30, New Standard Revised Version Updated Edition)
Blessings and greetings my friends. It is my prayer this summer has afforded you time to spend with loved ones, to renew, and refresh your bodies and souls.
I am going to begin this reflection with a question.
Who is Jesus to you?
I am returning from a gathering of the General Synod 35 of the United Church of Christ held in Kansas City, MO. It was amazing to lead a delegation of 22 Iowa, 11 Nebraska, and 7 South Dakota delegates to experience worship and attend to the business of the national UCC setting. It was a great opportunity for the delegates to get to know me better as Conference Minister, as well as each other. I was also able to observe our delegates interact with not only the affairs of the national church but with delegates of conferences across the denomination.
I want to acknowledge the hard work of Ms. Kim Singer, the Executive Admin and Ms. Susan Russell, Finance Director that provided administrative support while we were in Kansas City, which was invaluable. Our own Rev Corey Larson, Associate Conference Minister for Community of Ministries, had a significant role in the General Synod providing the GS agenda oversight. I am grateful for Rev Kendy Miller, Associate Conference Minister staffing the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota table for Search and Call. Also, I was pleased to have met over sixty folks from Iowa Nebraska South Dakota conferences attending the General Synod as visitors. Our conferences were well represented in Kansas City. I am so grateful to all the work and role conference staff performed at General Synod. Thank you/Gracias all.
Back to the question of who Jesus is to you,
My personal observation of General Synod, that though there was clearly an emphasis on the love of God and our call to seek the Divine in all our lives, the role of Jesus seems to have been diminished. Which prompted my wondering where is Jesus in our worship as UCC’ers?
Sure, there were what seemed to be perfunctory closing of some prayers in Jesus’ name, however any real substance of Jesus during worship seemed to be missing. I really don’t think I was alone in questioning the absence of the Head of the UCC at General Synod.
Which made me wonder what is the state of Jesus in our spiritual journeys in our Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences in our churches? How are we approaching the teachings of Jesus in the light of the turmoil happening in our communities and world around us? How do we invoke Jesus in our mission as churches in our daily lives?
If Jesus asked you, “Who do people say I am?”, how would you respond from your context?
I have heard criticism that the United Church of Christ really stands for Unitarians Considering Christ, and meaning no disrespect to our Unitarians/Universalists friends, the United Church of Christ is firmly rooted in the trinitarian tradition of Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer…the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I have heard suggested that the UCC’ worship and teachings are not based on the Bible, yet every church I have visited includes scripture readings in their worship. And, when I am invited to preach, I certainly preach from the bible.
Where is this perception coming from, I wonder?
My friends, I am not asking this question rhetorically, I really am interested in hearing who Jesus Christ is for you, and our churches within the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences.
In recent years, there has been anxiety that social issues facing the Church such as reproductive rights or LGBTQAI+ are challenging the unity of the Church. I’m not so sure. I think what we are facing is the lack of a deep theological dialogue of our Christology in the UCC. There is no question when it comes to forms of worship there is a clear disconnect between the National Setting of the UCC and the local church within the denomination when it comes to the theological trajectory the National Setting is heading. Most local churches are nowhere near it, in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota…and our pastoral leaders are struggling to navigate that reality in their context.
Who do you say Jesus is?
Anyone who knows me know where I stand when it comes to who Jesus is for me. I share it widely, for it is important for me to be authentic and transparent about my faith, yet…I am a firm believer and accept that we all have our unique relationship when it comes to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. What I love about the UCC is that we are not a denomination that “tells” people on how to believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, we trust that by sharing our experiences we are able to determine our own relationship with the divine.
This past Sunday, I was privileged to preach at Pilgrim Church in Des Moines, who’s motto is “We agree to differ, we resolve to love, we unite to serve”.
No matter where on the journey we find ourselves in, the United Church of Christ aspires to find a place for us. We don’t have to agree on who Jesus is in our denomination, we still can respect and love each other as Jesus taught us and still be united to serve a world yearning for a Hope, Faith, and Love that has been the foundation of what the UCC stands for.
I look forward to hearing your stories and experiences on who Jesus is for you as a member of the United Church of Christ. Feel free to email me at revroberto@ucctcm.org.
May God continue blessing you, yours, and ministries through the power of the Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ Name.
Bendiciones y Paz,
Rev Roberto