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A View from the Pew: A “C” Change
The Agenda for our Annual (Zoom) Meeting (on March 28 @ 12:30p) uniquely reflects our new UUCFM! We face an exciting slate of new Board of Trustees, a brighter fiscal outlook, and an exciting 8th Principle inauguration. This discussion is about one specific issue on our Agenda—a slight change in the name we call ourselves (also known as a “C” change). The purpose here is not to advocate for any particular point of view, but to crystalize a discussion so that we each can give the issue the diligence it is due.
Step 1: To change, or not to change?
We are being asked whether we would see value in redefining the “C” part of UUCFM—from “Church” to one of two other options: “Congregation” or “Community.” (Note: This is not a Bylaws change.)
In our 2020 member survey about whether to change the “C” in our acronym UUCFM, 82% of respondents expressed a desire to change the “C.” So, this will be one specific resolution in the paper ballot packet being mailed to all members prior to the Annual Meeting. The Board of Trustees has set a hurdle of 2/3 affirmative vote of those voting in order for a “C” change to be approved. (Note:
Independent of what we would change the “C” to; just do we want to change?)
So, just a few words about “Church.” Definitionally, the word “church” has the connotation of a building where religious services take place, a Christian house of worship. Basically, the place where we worship.
Several years ago, a Board member at the time, Hugh Cochran, authored an illuminating white paper entitled “Church vs. ?” (We were considering a name change then.)
Hugh writes that calling ourselves a “Church” does not appear to inhibit membership growth. Of the 28 UUA “breakthrough” congregations since 2005, more than half of them had “Church” in their name. Hugh goes on to point out that a large majority (70%) of adults identify with Christianity and a small minority (3%) identify with Judaism, as an example. The potential membership benefits derived from a
positive “Church” connotation among a much larger group likely far outweighs any negative membership effects resulting from a negative “Church” connotation within a very small group, such as those from the Jewish tradition. This reasoning may be especially valid in attracting diverse population segments who are more likely to have a positive cultural response to “Church.”
Since Hugh’s research, the growth of the 24% who identify with no religion (“Nones”) increases at a noteworthy rate, while other denominations continue to shrink. How “Church” relates to Nones as their plurality grows, may be increasingly more important.
Step 2: Congregation or “Community?
If 2/3 of our voting members agree to the “C” change, the subsequent ballot vote will be “what to change it to: Congregation or Community?” (These were the two alternatives among 4 options receiving the lion's share of responses in the 2020 congregational survey.) The winning choice will require a majority of voting members to pass, assuming Step 1 passes.
Let’s first look at “Congregation.” Definitionally, “Congregation” is a gathering of faithful in a temple, church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship—basically the people at the worship service. Tim Hegg, of Messianic Publications, distinguishes a “Congregation” as encouraging a commitment to one’s
“personal faith” and seeking to accommodate the diversity that such “personal faith” may express. (Compare this with Mr. Hegg’s viewpoint on “Community” below.)
A large plurality of UU congregations (42%, trending downward) have “Church” in their name; the next largest group (17%, trending upward) have “Congregation” in their name. (Very few, 3%, have “Community” in their name.)
“Community,” on the other hand, is defined as a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. Mr. Hegg, in contrast with “Congregation,” distinguishes a “Community” as encouraging a commitment to the generational success of the community, meaning that the core values of the community take priority over personal preferences.
In summary, we see that “Church” refers to a place of worship, whereas “Congregation” refers to people who worship together, and “Community” refers to a feeling of fellowship, not necessarily related to worship activities.
So, there you have it. You get to decide when you vote. Whatever we decide, I am confident we are the new UUCFM, inspired by love, transformed, in service to others! (As for me, I fall somewhere between “Congregation” and “Community,’” maybe a “Congruity”?)
Bill Petrarca
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