We Belong to Christ

At different points in your life,
what did you think or wonder about Jesus?

If you say, “I’m a Christian,”
what do you mean?

In what ways does your congregation express “We belong to Christ?”

Do you know of a moment or situation that your church clearly gave testimony
to Christ as the head of the Church?

Many Beliefs, yet United in Christ

United around the manger, the children of Carrollton Cosmopolitan UCC celebrate the birth of Christ at the Christmas pagent.

Reverend Dr. Lourdino Yuzon describes how Carrollton Cosmopolitan UCC in Carrollton, Texas, has made it through rough times and transformed because of its conviction that they belong to Christ, and that “Christ is the sole head of the church.” The predominately Filipino congregation, located in central Texas, faced conflict as some members didn’t affirm the presence and leadership of gay persons. The tension was further fueled by national TV advertising by the UCC which said we embrace all people, including persons of different sexual orientation, to the denomination.

After many meetings, struggles, and discussions, Yuzon reported they struggled for a common view of the situation, but it seemed impossible. A few left the congregation. Yuzon even reported that his own understanding of the Bible does not fully support homosexual orientation. But he pointed to the affirmation of “We belong to Christ” as making all the difference. “We have many Christologies, many beliefs, many interpretations of the Bible, but we are one in Christ. What one believes should not be held as a test for another, but as testimony of one’s own faith.” Yuzon also said, “We take what we believe seriously, but bear witness only humbly accepting the light of Christ. All are subject to correction from one another.” Today, Yuzon reports, the church is more aware than ever before of their commitment to Christ and to all God’s people.

In what ways does Robin express how she belongs to God in Christ?

What questions would you like to ask her? What prayer would you offer for her?

What do you yearn for in life, what really matters to you? What might be God’s desire or prayer for you? To what might Christ be calling you?

Robin Sadler says, “Belonging to Christ means everything to me as a young African American female college student.” At 21 years of age, Robin attends Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Leaving home and heading out on her own to college, Robin knew Christ cared for her. “I believe if it were not for my belief that I was a child of Christ, I would not have made it through four years of constant growth away from my comfort zone of home.”

But leaving home did make a difference for her, Robin’s faith moved from one that she was “taught” by loving parents and the church to one she “caught.” “I can now say that I am a true believer in my own right—that I belong to Christ. In everything that I do, Christ is there to guide me and make me conscious of what I do. It is because of the special relationship with Christ that I can recognize my mistakes and grow from them. I have my own little joke that I always say when things happen to me. I know I am one of Christ’s special children because I can’t get away with anything. Anytime I mess up it seems God makes sure I see exactly what happens, and I move from there, God helps me.”

“The fact that I know I can call on Christ in difficult times and give my struggles to him has made all the difference in everything. No matter what the situation, I never feel alone. Christ keeps a special eye on all those who belong to him.”

Robin is about to make another move from a comfort zone, graduating from college. She’s considering God’s calling for her life, and belonging to Christ is all tied up with that decision as well. While in college, Robin worked for a congresswoman in the U.S. House of Representatives, and she considers public service may be in her future. “I am not exactly certain about my calling, but it is something that I know has been in me; and Christ is leading me in that direction more and more everyday. I really love that about my life right now. I understand that it is a struggle and a journey and not one is perfect, but to be more in tune with the directions for my life from Christ is my ultimate goal for the future.”

What bit of our history do you connect with? What might God be saying to you through these accounts?

What’s a Catechism and What Does It Have to Do with Anything?

Frederick III sought unity through creating a catechism rather than waging war.

In 1562, in Germany, Lutheran and Reformed churches fought and demanded loyalty to particular beliefs. Theologians argued with one another. Bitter fights arose particularly in Heidelberg. The prince, Frederick III, concerned for peace to end the hostility, called for order and a new catechism.

Some folk think of a catechism as a bunch of questions and answers that people have to memorize to make everyone of one mind. Catechisms can, however, clarify things and sometimes bring people together in faith. Frederick’s catechism sought to pull people together and offered faith in Christ as a way of healing.

The first question of this catechism was “What is your only comfort, in life and in death?” To which the response began: “That I belong—body and soul, in life and in death—not to myself—but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ…” (LTH , Vol 2, 329). This answer suggested that we don’t belong to the opinion of a particular theologian or national creed, we don’t even belong to our own beliefs, but we belong to Jesus Christ.

Brave Belonging

Today, 40 congregations with direct historical ties to the Hungarian Reformed Church are part of the United Church of Christ. Their story includes an account of brave belonging. In 1674, Hungarian Reformed ministers were among forty-two Protestants who were sold as galley slaves and chained to oars on trade ships in the Adriatic Sea. Hungarian Protestants, especially the poor, suffered intense persecution in the midst of a dominant Catholic majority that battled against the rise of the broader Protestant movement in Europe. These forty-two refused to recant their faith.

Károly Jeszensky wrote the “Hymn of the Hungarian Galley Slaves”/”Lift Your Heads, O Martyrs, Weeping” (TNCH 445) based on original words of Pauli Joachim, who experienced the persecution. The hymn expresses the devotion of those persecuted to Christ, their conviction about belonging to Christ, and Christ’s abiding care for those who belong to God. The closing words of the hymn powerfully affirm that relationship: “You are God’s own people; surely God will fold God’s own securely.”

This is the second verse of the hymn that became an anthem of liberation for Hungarian Protestants:

Though the storms may rage and roil
o’er the vast and fearful sea,
Though you cry with wretched toil,
“O my Savior, rescue me!”
Though it seems that God does sleep,
hope and trust in God still keep;
Calm your hearts though they be quaking,
God is faithful, none forsaking.

What a Difference Christ Can Make

“We Belong to Christ” was affirmed as well on the frontier of the United States. During the 18th century, many people were swept up in an enthusiastic faith in Christ that eventually led to the forming of the Christian Church . The heart-felt faith appealed to both European immigrants and former African slaves invited into the revival.

Many of these persons left other churches insisting on a new way of being the church and believing. They wanted a less hierarchical way of governing and less reliance on the authority of creeds. Their faith was full of feeling. Although not anti-intellectual, they emphasized direct experience of Christ, as much as belief about Christ. This experience would lead to a church where all, clergy and laity, were understood as radically equal. They characterized their faith in six Principles of the Christian Church.

“Christ as the sole head of the Church” was an essential conviction. This suggested that when members tried to resolve conflicts or figure out issues, they prayed for Christ’s guidance, and listened to one another rather than demand particular tests (LTH , Vol 4, 10). The conviction also led to other principles: Christian character, the way you live your life, was as important as any belief. And because Christ is the head of the Church, all who confess Christ, even with their differences, are still one in Christ. The Church is one.

Claiming Christ from the Start

In 1957, when the UCC was formed, and again in 1960, when our constitution was adopted, we drew upon and were inspired by our commitment to Christ. It is evident in both naming our newly-formed denomination, The United Church of Christ (LTH , Vol 6, 583-4) and in the Preamble of our constitution. The second paragraph states: “The United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in this confession.” Belonging to Christ has shaped us and continues to shape us as we move into the future.