Back in early December, a friend and I discussed the question, "What does the United Brethren Church really care about?" This was after we learned that the constituency had definitely voted down the idea of combining our denomination into the Missionary Church. We felt that as a denomination, we needed to decide what it was we really really really cared about. What it was we would emphasize, put our energy behind.

We settled on a couple of things that we do, indeed, care about. We treasure our focus on biblical absolutes, while remaining open on theological and behavioral practices on which the Bible doesn't clearly take a stand. As our documents say, "The church's historic position has been to stand firm on biblical absolutes, allow freedom where the Bible allows freedom, and maintain unity when disagreements arise." I'm a huge supporter of that statement. It very much defines who I am. In the debate over joining the Missionary Church, this principle was regularly emphasized (with some ridiculous insinuations that the Missionary Church is legalistic). But is that statement enough identity to justify our existance?

We're also proud of our heritage. We haven't done anything particularly noteworthy since 1889, when we split off from the main body, but our heritage prior to that point is pretty impressive. That, too, is something we care about. But is that enough?

I've been pondering this further the past few weeks, as I've been redesigning the denominational website. It's due for an upgrade. In designing the homepage, I dearly wanted a tagline which would sum up the essense of who we are as United Brethren in Christ. "A church committed to...." But we have no such statement, nothing which says, "This is what we care about." The Missionary Church has a great statement, which is prominent on their website: "An evangelical denomination committed to church planting and world missions." Their actions prove that that's more than just a statement. They truly care about church planting and world missions, and excel in carrying out those agendas.

We believe in church planting and missions; we know they are important and we make efforts. But I can't say those are things we deeply care about, because you just can't find the evidence. Sure, there are individuals and whole churches that can correctly claim to care deeply about church planting and/or missions. But we don't as a denomination. And I can't point to anything else. Evangelism? Growing healthy churches? Meaningful worship? More things we merely think are important--not things that in any way define us.

So, I resigned myself to designing the site without any catch-phrase or slogan.

Next Monday and Tuesday, our National Board will hold a special meeting to begin addressing the question, "Where do we go from here?" To answer that question, we need to decide, "What do we really really really care about?" Not, "What are we interested in or believe is important?", but, "What do we want to be known for? What do we want to excel at? And what are we willing to put our sustained attention behind?"

I'm anxious to see how the delegates tackle such questions.