United Church of Christ Steeples ad

[djmccart]

@ElCubanoConguero a message of exclusion - "be this way or God won't accept you" - is more effective at turning people away from God than it is at turning people towards God. GCC's message of inclusion - "come, see what we're like, we'll welcome you no matter what you currently are" - is a far better method of showing Christlike behavior to people you want to be saved. If they hear the message, success! But the point is that they can't hear the message if they are barred from hearing.

[guitarplayer317]

@erimmer16 I DO!

[bluedevil0704]

God does not "accept" everyone. He loves everyone, but does not accept everyone. The only way to gain the acceptance of God is through, repentance and salvation through belief in Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of God, which washes away all sins, past, present and future, which then makes us holy, and then acceptable, to a Holy and almighty God. The UCC preaches a false gospel.

[anewgift4u]

The Church of the Illuminati. Welcome. Bah, bah.

[Reazzurro90]

I didn't know Burger King Christianity ('have it your way') was available. How wonderful is technology.

[bigskybcs]

I have never known of any church that rejects the disabled. Homosexuals - yes, I know there are religious organizations whose goal is to transform them through Christ and believe homosexuality is a sin as written in the Bible. Where this, and other UCC ads are misleading, is when they portray fellow Christians of being intolerant of babies crying, gay couples attending a service, a disabled man using a walker, and so forth. These ads are hypocritical in that the UCC is bearing false witness.

[ElCubanoConguero]

@bigskybcs ...exactly, this desperate cult needs to use lies and condescending cliches because they are dying and their buildings are empty. There is no truth in UCC, it is false. It denies every basic tenant of Christianity. Jesus Is LORD!

[landsdown44]

@ElCubanoConguero You clearly know nothing about the United Church of Christ. Their fundamental belief begins with "Jesus is Lord". The creedal statement, "Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ shall come again." is often spoken in UCC worship services.

[pdxpaul1]

you have a brain read what jesus said,not a bunch of fear mongers like dobson,robertson and other phony christians,jesus said you will know us by our love

[steventhestudent]

@pdxpaul1 i am sorry but god condemns homosexuality. so i say to all lesbians with their butch haircuts: you need to repent.

[ElCubanoConguero]

@pdxpaul1 you speak evil of these men, do you know them personally? True love is not condescending cliches and condoning evil, suicidal and unhealthy behavior. True love tells the TRUTH - stop sinning and sin no more. This should be the message and it is filled with hope. Telling people to continue in their sins and perversion is actually hating them.

[monstermovieman]

United Church of The New World Order.

[FloridaState9111]

I truely would like to talk to a preacher of a UCC church cause i have a whole lot of questions on this commercial and other things

[armeny925]

@FloridaState9111 Yeah like why do they lie!

[lfivepoints69]

@FloridaState9111 , You can go to UCC.org and click on 'Find a Church' to find a United Church of Christ congregation near you. There you can hear the teachings of Christ. “There is neither male nor female, there is no Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave nor free, you are all one in Christ.” (Galatians 3:28)

[lfivepoints69]

Go to UCC.org and click on 'Find a Church' and you can find a United Church of Christ congregation near you.

[armeny925]

Most people who are part of the UCC are liberal. Yet most people who are drug addicts and have STDs are liberal. See the connection!!!!!

[oxjr]

@armeny925 judging again....tsk tsk. both conservitives and liberals have had obstacles like addiction. And instead of wanting to help them in some way - you pass judgement., There is hope you may discover Christ someday - but it sounds like that is not today.

[armeny925]

@oxjr I said most NOT all. Besides I don't take kindly to the Ted Haggard's of the world either. I oppose them more than someone like you or the UCC. I don't take kindly to hypocrites that act righteous and do the opposite. That's my biggest pet peeve of them all!

[oxjr]

@armeny925 So not only are you un-christian ... you are unpatriotic. Obama is your president - not your preacher. tsk tsk.

Rev Jeremiah seems to have gotten senile in his last few years before he retired He is way off course from the teaching of the UCC.

Pat Robertson thinks god speaks to him. Only satan pretending to be god speaks to man. You can pray to god, and ask god for the strength and courage to understand his plans - but he DOES NOT SPEAK TO YOU.

[armeny925]

@oxjr Obama may be the president but that doesn't mean he's MY president. Patriotism has nothing to do with it espacially since I'm a veteran of the US Navy. Rev Jeremiah maybe senial but seems not to forgotten to HATE! So what you said makes no sense whatsoever. God does speak to us. Maybe not in words but he does communicate with him. But your part of the faux Christian UCC so I wouldn't expect for you to know that!

[oxjr]

@armeny925 Wow, so full of hate. Someday - when you truly accept Jesus as your saviour his light will rid you of those dark and and wicked feelings. May you someday enjoy the peace, love, and understanding that I have found. God Bless You.

[armeny925]

@oxjr Well I guess for you, ignorance is bliss. Someday you will understand. If you don't, then I pray for your mortal soul. I preach the truth NOT hate. I used to be very liberal until I realized that the whole basis of those beliefs was giving everybody a free ride. Wasn't that way in my Grandparents and even to a point my parent time. At least back then people pulled their weight. Much more than the "enlightened" times of today. The end times are upon us. I suggest to be ready friend!

[twhitehou]

Exactly... There is a good reason why UCC is not like other churches. If you attend main line churches you have articles of faith. (yes). These were not created by God but are simply what some religious leaders created using their own personal beliefs and intrepreting the scripture now those have placed upon the masses. There is no room for personal interpretion and everything must fall inside those guidelines.

Did the ministry of Jesus fall with the guidlines of the religious leaders?

[lfivepoints69]

"There is neither male nor female, there is no Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, we are all one in Christ". God loves everyone!

[armeny925]

@lfivepoints69 Yes God does love everyone. Doesn't mean he's about giving anyone a free get out of jail card. Sin is sin no matter what. UCC are false prophets. Plain and Simple!

[armeny925]

I've noticed a number of senior citizens on these commercials and find it disturbing, cause the old folks grew up with the old time, conservative religions that taught the fear of God and that sin is sin no matter. Obviously they are lost and forgot why they fought in WWII and Korea in the first place. Well they know who to blame if their kids or grandkids grow up to be druggies and criminals!

[trueleroix]

@armeny925 Maybe they can find a way to get away from the oppression of religion by joining a more liberal church. This is one of the first steps towards complete freedom. At least we can be glad that they fought for our freedom, and we can remember that sin is sin as well, and that it should not be placed upon a human blood sacrifice, but carried with the sinner as a lesson in improving behavior. I wish everyone luck in their "spiritual" journeys.

[armeny925]

@trueleroix Crime wasn't rapid in the 1940s and 50s like today. Part of it was because of the "Oppresion" of the church back then. Give me that Old Time Religion any day of the week!

[trueleroix]

@armeny925 Can you back that up, because I can show you studies that correlate higher religiosity with higher crime rates. Basically, the opposite of what you are saying is true. I think when you wrote "rapid", that you meant rampant.

[armeny925]

@trueleroix It's probably some stats from some liberal mumbo jumbo who have an agenda. Ask anyone who lived in the 40s and 50s and they'll tell you it was better back then. Even my family will say that, and that's living in Chicago too!

[trueleroix]

@armeny925 Right, and then we got the evangelical movement and bam, look where we are at now. I really wish that they would take away the tax exempt status of churches, and make them be transparent like any other non profit. Also, I wish they would set an age limit.

[armeny925]

@trueleroix Where we are at right now is a country over ran with crackheads, perverts and illegals crying about their "rights". If it were the 40s and 50s people knew better. Stop blaming the church for your problems. I know it's easier that way but your not helping anybody by doing it.

[trueleroix]

@armeny925 I'll do something real. People in a church can pray along with all of these crack heads, perverts, and illegals, who I believe are almost entirely Christian/Catholic. LOL, show me the crackhead that doesn't claim their imaginary friend...those people are way religious...wake up...see the real world.

[armeny925]

@trueleroix All because someone goes to church doesn't make them Christian. God knows the truth, and when they meet God they'll be exposed for what they really are and wish they did right on Earth in the first place!

[armeny925]

@trueleroix besides back in the good old days it wasn't like that. People didn't use the Bible to excuse their actions like they do today. Which is my whole point that I'm making.

[oxjr]

@trueleroix Um I just wanted to let you know you are arguing with a troll. A troll is someone who plays a game that you get points based upon how many replies you can get or you get points for how long you can get someone to argue with you. There are two signs someone is a troll - they have numbers in their name like 925 (because they have so many different names for different characters they play) and they say offensive or dumb things. armeny925 is not a real person but a character.

[armeny925]

@oxjr Um, 925 is the m/d of my bday! I'm making very valid points and if you can't understand that then I pray for your soul. The UCC is very misleading and if you pick up and read the Bible for a change you would understand that. YOU are more proof of how the leftist regime in our country has failed us and how sin and perdition will only lead us downhill from there

[oxjr]

@armeny925 Sorry - not convinced. If you are not a 'troll' on here to collect points for whatever game it is that you 'trolls' play - then you are a very misguided person who has not truly understood the word of GOD. If your fear, intolerence, and misunderstanding of others gives you the illusion that you are close to God - then I fear for your soul. You are in my prayers tonight.

[armeny925]

@oxjr It doesn't concern me if you are not convinced. I live for God not you. I know what that Bible says and what we should do as Christians. If you're not part of the solution then you're part of the problem. Sin is out of control these days and the UCC is adding to it. If you can't see it then it will be ME praying for YOU. At least there's Pat Robertson and Kirk Cameron still around to help keep sanity on this sinful, hedonistic and apathetic world. God Bless those who Bless God!

[oxjr]

@armeny925 Sorry I have read you posts, you are very un-christian. Man is only to judge man with the law of man. You are commiting one of the gravest sins of all by judging your fellow man through the eyes of god. ONLY GOD has that right. God creates the paths for each and every one of us. How dare you sit in his chair and try to decide who is a sinner and who is not. Do you think you are equal to god ?- you vain and wicked being.

[armeny925]

@oxjr I never said I judge anyone. I just go from what the Bible says. I'm not equal to God but will follow his word to do the right thing and spread his word. Preaching that sin is bad is a good thing. Sin destroys the world. Say what you want about Pat Robertson and Kirk Cameron but they understand that. For God to be a loving God he must also be a just God, and the more the world understands that the better the world will be!

[oxjr]

@armeny925 Pat Robetson is a false prophet - be wary of the path he leads you.

Kirk Cameron is a sweet fellow - too dumb to understad that Evolution and God are the same thing.

[femmgurl]

This is AMAZING!!!! WOW!!!!! People like this could actually get me back in church! I left after being rejected a LONG time ago. This is a wonderful message. Thanks UCC

[dancesonpoles]

@femmgurl May I ask why you were rejected?

[killhannahsboy2]

John 3:16 my friend. and everyone can have a relationship with god. not just those " relgious."

[MassLiberal1]

@armeny925 OMG, did you just defend the racist, sexist and homophobic Phelps? You say "he does have a point"?! WTF is wrong w/ you! I hope you were drunk when you posted that comment!

[armeny925]

He at least preaches that sin should not be allowed. I don't like that fact that he protests the funerals and that, but he doesn't make excuses for sin either, Too many churches these days do. Which is why we are having the problems we do today!

[OldTruthTeller]

Jesus, "The Word" (John 1:1) asks man "what is written in the law?" how do you read it?" (Luke 10:26).

So what scriptures apply here? How do you read Collosians 1:21, 2Corinthians 5:16, along with

1John 3:9 and Romans 6:1 ? What might a same sex couple hope to accomplish in their lives through a relationship with Christ? Please show some class and respect in your responses. Include scripture to support your positions, and please read any sighted scripture before responding to a post.

[NashvilleJermz]

ALL the people, HURRAY!!  Yes!!!

[apruitt2008]

The UCC isn't Christian at all. By historical definition, it is not. It is universalist. It isn't the United Church of Christ, because it doesn't follow Christ's teachings. God have mercy on lost people who profess Christ.

Yet there is great joy in the cross! God's wrath was poured out on Christ for all of those who would come to believe in him. and John 3:36 says that God's wrath remains on unbelievers. However, you can come to Christ today!

[MassLiberal1]

The UCC isn't Chrisitan? How so? Universalist? Maybe you are thinking of the Unitarians (now called Unitarian-Universalists) who broke away from what is now the UCC in 1821.

[apruitt2008]

No, but thank you, I am already aware of that. They are "pretend Christian." I recently read an interview with a UCC pastor. There is no "lost" or "saved" people, because everyone eventually ends up in heaven. That's universalism. If you believe what the UCC believes, you are not, by historical definition, a Christian.

[MassLiberal1]

Okay, I see your point. I must disagree though that universalism isn't a historical Christian belief. I'm not saying you should be a Universalist but it was the majority view of Christians in the early church (according to sources such as St. Augustine who certainly was no Universalist). Figures who have believed in universal salvation inculde St. Gregory of Nyssa, Origen, Blessed Julian of Norwich, Clara Barton (founded the Red Cross), and George MacDonald (the main influence of C.S. Lewis).

[MassLiberal1]

Also, I think calling Congregationalists (UCC members) 'pretend Christians' is rather judgemental. It be like if I called conservative Christians 'pretand Chrsitians'. I have strong disagreements with Evangelicals but I wouldn't say they're being dishonest about their faith in Christ.

[apruitt2008]

But Jesus doesn't believe in universal salvation.

If you say you follow Christ, but you don't agree with him...there's a problem there. See?

[MassLiberal1]

Who knows what Jesus believed? Those who believe in universal salvation can cite the parables of the prodigal son and the lost sheep. Those who believe in hell can cite the parable of the talents and the unforgiving servant. These are obviously conflicting ideas but I think the church is big enough to allow freedom of thought on this subject. The early church is a good example as there are saints from that time period that believed in hell and saints who were Universalists.

[apruitt2008]

I highly recommend you seek some commentaries, because it will definitely help you. And the prodigal son is definitely not about universal salvation, my friend. Did you know Jesus mentions hell himself about 13 times in the New Testament? And again, like I said, John 3:36. Plus, read the Old Testament prophets like Isaiah and the rest.

Lastly, I recommend listening to a sermon by John Piper, CJ Mahaney, Paul Washer...the list goes on, but that might help you to understand the scriptures.

[MassLiberal1]

The great Catholic theologian Henri Nouwen would disagree. He sees the prodigal son has a Universalist text. Notice that the father in the story forgives his son before the son even asks for forgiveness. The is an allegory to describe the unconditional love of God. The chuch would be a very empty place if everyone had to think the same way. In your world every Christian is a robot that can have no unique thoughts or insights as to what they think about the Bible and God.

[MassLiberal1]

I respect Piper, I don't know who the others are. Biblical scholars and theologians you should read are Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, John Shelby Spong, Keith Ward, and Peter Gomes. Or if you want a conservative, Tony Campolo is good. They too know much about the Bible.

[MaritoftheMidwest]

@apruitt2008 Thank you for invalidating my personal religious convictions. How silly of me, a UCC follower, to presume to be a Christian! indignant sarcasm aside, anyone who strives to be Christ-like in his or her words and actions is a Christian. If that's not historical Christianity-- fine. God's not just historical either. God is the Beginning, the End, and the Everything in between.

[djmccart]

Funny you should mention John 3:36, because it seems that that passage invalidates any "historical definition" of the word "Christian" that may or may not have arisen. All you need to do to be a Christian is believe in Christ. The greatest commandment, that of loving your neighbor as yourself, follows naturally from that. And that's exactly what the UCC's message of inclusion does.

[Fuleadeare]

@djmccart AMEN!

[ElCubanoConguero]

@djmccart you are in error - to invite them to church is one thing - to consider them Christians is another thing. To believe in Christ means to be COMMITTED to Him in repentance and faith. If someone is openly living in sin (homosexuality, adultery, gossiper, liar, thief, etc) then that person does not have faith. Stop denying the scriptures - WHICH YOUR CHURCH DENIES and repent.

[jjrt2012]

The UCC is a great church and is always a good christian atmosphere to believe in.

[bagelboi66]

I'm not a person of faith, but if more "churches" behaved like these folks we'd have a lot more peace and a lot less pain and division in the world. Good for them! And this is President Obama and his families church, that kind of makes me feel hopeful all over.

[JOHN91043353]

Cool! Isn't this the church Obama is a member of?

[oxjr]

no I think he is a baptist....

[jovian2002]

I'm having issues with my Mormon faith at the moment, and I'm thinking about broadening my options to explore other churches. So far, this seems to be the best and tolerant church out there in the world. This advertisement makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. I loved it! :)

[goshdangheck]

I grew up in a UCC, I highly recommend it!

i just moved to SLC.. haha.

[Sheilanagig]

I like the idea of welcoming people rather than telling them they're not wanted. The normal response to rejection is to return it. Is that what christianity wants to happen? I can respect the message of the UCC, and it makes me willing to find out more about them.

[750nutcase]

you dont know jesus walked this earth anymore than i do,fact!and there is also no proof that the bible is true,and if you believe what others tell you to believe then you and every other christians are very gulible indeed.there maybe a god of some kind and jesus may have walked this earth but the fact is that we dont know for sure.ture comment

[apruitt2008]

You should read what historical figures wrote about how Jesus was getting on their nerves because of what he was teaching. Maybe 2% of even secular professors believe that Jesus wasn't a real man. THe vast majority of ALL scholars believe he was a real man, because there's overwhelming documents to prove it. Just so you know.

[tyciol]

Somehow I doubt that, I bet if you did something bad enough they wouldn't let you in, to protect other members. That is most certainly not being open to everyone.

[SJP3793]

I love the UCC because it is very tolerant. Conservative Christianity is so intolerant and hateful. It is nice that there is loving christians, like the members of the UCC.

[lianghh]

Wow, this made me cry...

[goshdangheck]

i just have a little dust in my eye...

[RealTime88]

@lianghh Me too. Have you ever been in this church?

[VeGgieBoY444]

This was cool, but the majority of christian institutions are not like this sadly... I mean they hate gay people, single moms etc. everyone

They might as well call themselves Puritans

[ashes2fire]

That's the point of this ad. Other christian institutions AREN'T like the UCC. So if you're looking for THIS KIND of church, the UCC is it.

[pixelpp]

cool.