Editor’s Note: Historically, only the Calvin Synod Conference of the UCC had a “Bishop”. In recent times, however, a plethora of so-called “Bishops” have entered the UCC ranks. David Runnion-Bareford comments on this oddity.
Once upon a time not so very long ago the UCC was in a quandary over ecumenical agreements with denominations with Episcopal leadership – that is the apostolic succession of authority through the office of Bishop. As Puritans and Pietists this was exactly the sort of thing we had historically rejected for a more democratic body of the priesthood of all believers. We did of course have that precious singularity of the Bishop of the Calvin Synod who had indeed received his office by the anointing of an apostolic succession. We suspect this contributed to right the Calvin Synod felt it had to address bold admonitions and even anathemas to the UCC from time to time.
But now it is a new day – and we seem to have a new breed of “Bishops” cropping up in headline roles in our previously non-episcopal church without hesitation or comment. We have of course celebrated lesbian BishopYvette Flunder, “presiding Bishop of ‘The Fellowship’, a movement of churches and faith leaders built of God’s radically inclusive love” who recently took dual UCC and MCC standing. Then we have bi-sexual Bishop John Selders, featured in the UCC Bi-sexual video BAMN (Bi All Means Necessary). John retains his title bestowed on him by the Anglican Worldwide Church even though they rescinded his title and defrocked him when they learned of his other activities. Now we will be addressed at Synod by Bishop Carlton Pearson, who retained his title from his Pentecostal days, before he self destructed the New Dimensions Worship Center in Tulsa, joined the UCC, closed a new church start and resurfaced recently as the head of a breakaway sect from the new age Unity Cult.
Perhaps the ECOT’s should get together and make some Bishops of their own in the interest of diversity? Out of curiosity, how does a mere conference minister exercise authority over a bishop?
