Bishop Yvette Flunder, a visible leader in the UCC since addressing Synod with her transgender gospel choir in 2003 has set yet another groundbreaking precedent. This week Flunder, who has received wide spread recognition as a lesbian spokesperson, received clergy credentials in the Metropolitan Community Church, establishing dual standing with her UCC credentials.
For many years church and ministry committees in associations of the United Church of Christ have been rejecting applications for dual standing primarily from more evangelical clergy seeking to hold ordained clergy standing in the UCC with dual standing in other denominations. These applications have been denied on the basis that “dual standing” cannot exist in the UCC, only privilege of call. Bishop Flunder appears to have broken ground in UCC polity in a way that may open doors for others. Recently Flunder has played a key role in efforts to restructure the UCC.
