Last month, I had the opportunity to spend a week in Florida visiting Andrea’s mother and getting in a little bird watching. When traveling, I try visiting other churches. Worshipping while having no leadership responsibilities is something I highly value.

Often, however, the experience is somewhat disappointing. I continue to be surprised that some churches do a poor job of welcoming visitors. People value their church friendships so highly, they tend to spend their time welcoming those they know and thus ignoring visitors.

I am also somewhat disappointed that the “church experience” is often not one that fills me. The theology is conservative, the language non-inclusive and Jesus’ message seems to be about tending to an individual’s personal interests.

Thus it was a joy to worship at the UCC church in Temple Terrace, Florida, just outside Tampa. We were warmly welcomed and it was clear others were as well, especially those who may not often be welcomed. At the service we attended, the Scripture was read by a man in a wheel chair who needed someone to hold the Bible for him. Often, such people are shunted to the sidelines. There were visitors there who had come because they were gay and felt unwelcome in other churches. The pastor’s comments made it clear she had a concern for the outcast and the underdog (just like Jesus). She also welcomed comments from the congregation making it clear Christianity isn’t the sole domain of the ordained. How uplifting it was to worship there.

The Biblical Witness Fellowship is a conservative group within our denomination that is highly critical of the UCC. They accuse us of “theological surrender to the moral and spiritual confusion of contemporary culture,” and having an “often radically liberal political agenda.” These folks are troubled by our radical inclusion, opposition to war and such things as our approach to sexuality. I thank God for these very qualities.

Some years ago, I attended a UCC gathering on new church starts, something the UCC is not very good at. Our leader was a Southern Baptist who was well known for his expertise in this area. Being a Southern Baptist in a group of UCC’ers was a bit awkward for him so he addressed the issue. He said he didn’t agree with all the UCC did and that wasn’t where he was theologically or ecclesiastically. But then, he said the UCC has a distinct place in the larger church and that, “If there were no UCC, God would have to invent something just like it.”

So “Thank you God” for the United Church of Christ. We may not be the church for everyone. But I am convinced there are many people who need us. I am also convinced that God needs us. May we all be blessed as we continue our ministry in the UCC.