July 28. 2008

 

Rev. Nancy Taylor, Senior Pastor

Old South Church

645 Boylston St.

Boston, MA    02116

 

 

Dear Nancy,

 

Your decision this last week to misrepresent the United Church of Christ by your public support of the “Womenpriests” demonstration, hosted by UCC related Church of the Covenant, is of grave concern. Your behavior was divisive, furthered schism, and was detrimental to the integrity and unity of the body of Christ. Have you forgotten our mutual commitment “that all may be one”? What about our ecumenical relationship with our Catholic brothers and sisters?

 

You must be aware from your position of leadership that your divisive statements and behavior appear to violate the Minister’s Code of the United Church of Christ, which says, “I will be a responsible representative of the Church Universal and participate in those activities that strengthen its unity, witness, and mission.”  Even more disturbing, is the evidence from your sermon of June 22nd that you overtly intended to act schismatically to create division in the Catholic Communion. This is a grave compromise of integrity in your practice of ministry. This kind of destructive behavior toward other communions of the Christian faith is a dangerous departure from our UCC call and commitment.

 

Can we infer from your actions of this last week that you would approve of groups who have justice issues with the United Church of Christ carrying out their own ordinations of individuals they believe valid regardless of our church’s standards and protocols? Did you consider that your action would create a precedent to justify that?

 

This event was not motivated by a sincere desire to honor the call of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit on the ministry of committed Christian women. We know that “Womenpriests” openly include candidates who are engaged in the practice of sexual license. It is significant that the participants would not take the vow of obedience or chastity.  We are aware of the statements on their website proclaiming a false gospel of self and mutual affirmation, denying the fall of humanity and our need for repentance from sin and personal transformation through the atoning crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. (http://www.womenpriests.org/body/body_ovr.asp)

 

Nancy, I would strongly urge you to prayerfully consider what you have done here, and to join us in our apology to the Boston Archdiocese and to our Catholic brothers and sisters who have been offended. You are in my prayers.

 

In the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

 

David Runnion-Bareford

                                                            Executive Director, Biblical Witness Fellowship

                                                            A confessing movement in the United Church of Christ since 1978

 

Cc:       Conference Minister & President,  Massachusetts Conference UCC

Chairperson, Church & Ministry Committee, Metropolitan Assoc. Mass. Conference UCC