UCC churches counter Christian Nationalism with social media project: Sharing stories of Christian love

For those wearied by the political rhetoric licking at the nation with its flames of hate and discord, Nov. 6 can’t come soon enough.

But for the Rev. Leanne Walt, lead pastor of United Church of Christ of Norwell, Massachusetts, the work of reclaiming the message of Christ’s love ramps up after the votes are tallied.

UCC Norwell is one of three United Church of Christ congregations collaborating in THIS Is Christianity, a social media project countering the rise of Christian Nationalism and “reclaiming Christianity as a movement of love,” said Walt, by sharing stories of that love — and inclusion — in action.

People are invited to submit 60-second video stories sharing how love is thriving in their communities. The videos are then uploaded onto the THIS is Christianity website as well as Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.

“Christianity is an embodiment of love. We want Christians to join the movement and share with others the evidence of the Risen Christ among us, hand to hand and heart to heart,” said Walt.

THIS is Christianity began early this year when UCC Norwell’s racial justice ministry team began talking about the negative impact of Christian Nationalism on the true meaning of Christianity. According to Walt, Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote, “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that,” was mentioned during the conversation, inspiring a social media platform showcasing stories of love to drive out hate.

Walt broadened the conversation by inviting neighboring churches and fellow UCC colleagues. First Congregational Church in Williamstown, Massachusetts and First Congregational Church in DeKalb, Illinois, where the Rev. John Dorhauer, former General Minister and President of the UCC is now pastor of, became THIS Is Christianity collaborators. Dorhauer has long been a voice in the need to address and dismantle Christian Nationalism.

While THIS Is Christianity began at UCC Norwell, it is now its own stand-alone 501-C entity. Walt hopes that in the coming months a “wider net will be cast” flooding social media with stories of the love that reflects the true meaning of Christianity.

“We want to engage more voices because the truth is that Christian Nationalism is not an ideology that will be voted out on Nov. 5. Christian Nationalism will not go away no matter what the outcome of the election will be,” she said.

Love remains amid differences

When the Rev. Barry Lynn, an ordained UCC minister who served as executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State from 1992 to 2018, moved to Massachusetts to be closer to his grandchildren, he wanted to find a church that he said was “committed to preaching love.”

Lynn is now a member of UCC Norwell where he is an active participant and supporter of the THIS Is Christianity.

Like his colleagues, Lynn sees that the central message of Christianity being one of love and not hate needs to grow louder and be heard by all — especially the children who will become the next generation of policy shapers and makers.

Lynn recalls how on a recent walk his seven-year-old granddaughter inquired why some of the endorsement signs on their neighbors’ lawns all had different candidate names. Her question was an opportunity for Lynn to talk about loving one another even amid political divides.

“This is Christianity when a seven-year-old starts understanding that you can still love one another even when you believe differently,” said Lynn.

Learn more about submitting a story of God’s love in action to THIS Is Christianity.

---

Content on ucc.org is copyrighted by the National Setting of the United Church of Christ and may be only shared according to the guidelines outlined here.