http://www.uua.org/programs/forums/index.php?action=vthread&forum=4&topic=507
UUA.org Forums —› Reclaiming a Vocabulary of Reverence Within Unitarian Universalism —› Why UU isn't growing enough

Nancy Cronk
Member
Posted: Feb 4, 2007 15:22:36

Posting 1
I posted this on the UUJA site and think others who are interested in growth and language should read it:

Hi,

It never surprises me how much the word "church" can stir up conflict and passion when it is presented in Jewish and Humanist UU circles. As the writing on this list-serve ebbs and flows, this topic always seems to create a stir when it is brought up. Although there have been a few people over the years on this ring who say, "It isn't a big deal for me", it seems like the majority have had some major gut-reactions against the word, and some of the people
I have known through the UUJA have left the larger UU community for similar reasons.

On the other hand, as a former DRE, I spent many hours sitting in meetings with people hearing the question, "How come we can't retain our UU youth, or attract the "unchurched" (a commonly used Christian cultural word for the
unaffiliated in UU leadership circles) enough to grow our memberships?

Do you know there is a growing on-line community with thousands of independently ordained interfaith ministers, and even more people who rely on them for religious services, including weddings, funerals, baby namings and more?
Literally, millions of Americans describe themselves as "not religious but generally spiritual" or "unaffiliated but spiritually-minded". (On my related links page on my business website, I list about 50 such on-line and distance
"seminaries". The number grows everyday.) As a member of many of these internet-based Interfaith groups and ministries, I often ask other independent Interfaith Ministers, "Have you ever considered joining the UU church? It is
very similar to your views/beliefs/practices, and they hold brick-and-mortar services you would love." Some of them have never heard of Unitarian Universalism, particularly if they live in rural states. Many others have said, "I thought they were Christian. The one near me is called, 'church'." How many potential members, I have often wondered, drive right by UU churches thinking you have to be theologically Christian to go inside? I think an enormous number!



Posting 2
I call on everyone who reads these posts - if you agree that the congregations should all consider this question, please do not keep this conversation on this list-serve. We are a very small minority, even within the UUA, so we
need to speak up outside of our circle to have our feelings heard. I still believe the larger UU family cares about everyone, and no one deliberately intends to be culturally insensitive. However, most people, unless they are married to someone Jewish or have invited Jewish friends (or other non-Christians) to their "church", have no idea whatsoever that this is an issue. When I have shared my feelings with other "church members", they usually say, "I never thought of that. I guess I would be uncomfortable telling my Mother I go to a synagogue, or an ashram or a mosque, instead of a church. I can see now that "church" might not be right for others".

I ask that each of us please take this conversation to at least 3 of other people outside of the ring, even if your congregation calls itself something other than a "church". Let's raise the awareness of this very sensitive cultural issue for all of us who do not share a Christian cultural background - hypenated UUs - Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, Humanists, Pagans, Native Americans, Muslims, Bahai's, etc.

Not to pick on someone I respect so much, but when someone like The Rev. Dr. Lee Barker, President of Meadville Lombard seminary says with a pure heart and sincere tone on our ring, "Church is now more a generic word....", it tells me we have not done our job to get the word out about this issue!

Personally, I think we owe it to each other as good UUs to do something more than "preach to the church choir" on this one.

Feel free to send my words to Rev. Sinkford, to faculty members of the seminaries, to sympathetic UU groups, to leadership within your own UU niche...... or better yet, send your own!

Yours in friendship,
Nancy