Wrestling with the Voice of the Church

Office
Jul 31
5 min read

Reflections from General Synod 35

From July 11–14, I had the privilege of attending the 35th General Synod of the United Church of Christ in Kansas City. I was there as a visitor—not an elected delegate from our Central Pacific Conference—which meant I could attend any open session but could not vote or speak on resolutions. Still, to witness the work of the gathered church was powerful.

A Kaleidoscope of Voices

Our denomination's governance structure is a representative democracy, grounded in our foundational commitment to covenant rather than hierarchy. As stated in the UCC Bylaws:

“The General Synod shall be a representative body, composed of delegates chosen by the Conferences, consistent with principles of proportional representation and reflective of the diversity of the United Church of Christ…” (UCC Constitution and Bylaws, Article III. The General Synod).

Each conference—including ours—sends delegates according to proportional representation, and these delegations are expected to reflect the rich diversity of the UCC: age, race, gender identity, laity and clergy. The result is a vibrant, complex, and sometimes tension-filled body—what I like to call a kaleidoscope church. The UCC was founded in a spirit of unity across theological, historical, and geographical differences, inspired by Jesus' prayer in John 17:21: “That they may all be one.”

Unlike some other Christian bodies, we do not share a single confession or creed, nor a Book of Common Prayer. Instead, we share a yearning to be “united and uniting,” which has led us to embrace a broad theological tent—one that includes the Five Streams of UCC heritage (Congregational, Christian, German Evangelical, Dutch Reform, Afro-Christian) as well as both conservative and progressive congregations. (Did you know that only about 35% of UCC congregations are officially Open and Affirming and that many have never called a female pastor?)

This means every resolution at Synod is steeped in discernment. Opinions vary widely, shaped by scripture, tradition, reason, and lived experience. The result is often holy wrestling—a faithful form of democratic deliberation that seeks justice while honoring difference.

Speaking To, Not For

One of the distinctives of UCC polity is that the national church “speaks to” but not “for” local churches. Every local congregation is autonomous, and each conference, association, and national ministry exists in covenant with one another—not in a hierarchy of control. Here in the Central Pacific Conference (CPC), we are in covenant with our member churches, and our conference is in covenant with the broader national setting of the UCC—including the national ministries like Justice and Local Church Ministries, Wider Church Ministries, and the Office of General Ministries.

When the General Synod passes a resolution, it does not bind local churches to action. Instead, it offers a faithful witness—a discerned voice that invites local churches to listen and respond. This is why designations like Open and Affirming, Just Peace, Creation Justice, or Accessible to All (A2A) require intentional local adoption.

Each resolution brought before the Synod represents years of grassroots organizing, committee work, theological reflection, and spiritual discernment. The process allows the Spirit to speak through the body—not just through a centralized authority.

This diversity was on full display in Kansas City! I recall one moment when a self-described Trump-voting, gay, small-town pastor who performs in drag stood at the mic to speak against a proposed bylaw change. That, in a nutshell, is the United Church of Christ. We are many voices, held together by covenant and a commitment to discern the movement of God’s Spirit—together.

"No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."

A Vote That Mattered

While this year’s resolutions ranged from internal bylaw revisions to global justice issues, it was the Declaration for an End to Genocide in Palestine that I was most interested in.

The debate was intense at times. Some sought to “balance” the resolution by including language about the events of October 7. Others attempted to soften it’s clear and direct denunciation of genocide. I watched in awe as delegates—rural and urban, young and old, conservative and progressive—spoke with integrity and passion. Great tenderness and care were present throughout the hour-plus "debate."

In the end, the resolution on Gaza passed overwhelmingly. Without amendments. Without dilution. It affirms the dignity, sovereignty, and right to life of the Palestinian people. I exhaled. I cried. I was proud.

Personal Witness

This resolution struck a deep chord with me. I have long worn a kufiyah as a sign of solidarity with the Palestinian people—communities rendered invisible for more than a century by colonialism, nationalism, and global indifference. For me, this is not merely a political concern; it is a profoundly theological one. Jesus—a Palestinian Jew—calls us to stand with “the least of these.” That call is not abstract. It is the foundation of my discipleship.

This blog is not the place for a full exploration of Zionism, U.S. complicity, or the apartheid realities of Israeli policy—though I am always willing to share what I’ve learned. Instead, I want to highlight the significance of what I witnessed at General Synod: a diverse and often divided denomination, holding space for complexity, listening across difference, and ultimately speaking with clarity and moral courage.

My Friend Mai

After the vote, I received word from my friend Mai Shaheen—a Palestinian Christian, peace activist, and Nonviolent Communication practitioner living in the West Bank (area C, which is fully under Israeli control). I hadn’t heard from her since the assault on Gaza intensified nearly two years ago. It was so good to know she is alive.

"Amid an ongoing war, we opened Satyam, a Palestinian initiative, held by Palestinians, Israelis and internationals. A refuge for sanity, a prayer for life, a space to co-create the world we envision, to embrace our responsibility towards building a future that holds justice, safety, freedom, and dignity for all."

"...currently the ONLY space in the whole of Israel & the occupied West Bank that hosts events & workshops accessible for Palestinians (except from Gaza), Israeli citizens, and internationals without requiring permits." (ساتيام | סַטְיָם | Satyam, a Center for Unity and Truth)

Mai lives out her own “unity in diversity” at SatYam Homeland, a community where Palestinians, Israelis, Muslims, Jews, Christians, and internationals come together to listen, learn, and honor one another’s humanity. Her work reminds me of the holy potential of covenant: to remain in relationship, even when the world says we should be enemies.

Listening to the Voice

Because the UCC speaks to us—not for us—I invite us to listen deeply: to one another, to the Spirit, and to the resolution adopted by our wider church.

What is it asking of us? What is it asking of you?

General Synod affirmed many powerful resolutions this year—on voting rights, disability justice, reproductive autonomy, and ecological responsibility. Each speaks to our covenantal values and our call to be Christ’s body in the world. But the resolution denouncing the genocide of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government is, I believe, a defining moral witness. It addresses what may well be the most urgent and visible global crime of our lifetimes.

As a Just Peace congregation, how might we speak with clarity and compassion about Gaza here in Salem?

Mai’s voice, and the voices of many others, call us to bear witness—to suffering, to resilience, to hope. The question before us is not only what we believe, but how we will respond.

Let us listen with courage.

Let us act with tenderness.

Let us move with the Spirit.

I pray that the voice that has spoken to us, can find its voice through us.

Peace,

Pastor Robin

Go Deeper

What is the General Synod?

The General Synod is the national deliberative body of the United Church of Christ, meeting every two years to discern the Spirit’s movement in church and society. Learn more at: https://www.ucc.org/synod

Resources for Understanding Palestine

Support Peace & Solidarity

SatYam Homeland – Peace community co-led by Palestinian activists Mai Shaheen and Niveen Khalil