But it became clear to all that when David would finally retire in August of this year, the church (sadly) would not be able to continue, and they would have to close their doors.

While I don't want to overstate my role in these deliberations, I will point out that on a number of occasions in the last three years, I have met with the Council of this historic congregation to talk about all of their options. David and I met personally on a number of occasions, and we talked not only about the options, but about the appropriate steps to be taken should any one of them be chosen. I shared printed resources with him that helped him, and the leaders of the church, make the best decision. When finally it became clear that closing the church was their only option, I provided them with counsel and resources that covered both the legal steps to be taken and choices they might make that would help the church `die with dignity.'

I must say, it was an honor - truly it was - to participate with them throughout this journey. They deliberated long and hard; took every step with great care and with all the attention you felt such a moment deserved; and in the end made prayerfully, and - yes - somewhat reluctantly what they thought was the proper decision.

Their last service was this past Sunday. Tears were shed. Stories were told. Gertrude Scheible announced early in the service that she would -as she had throughout most of her 98 years - take the children out of the service for Sunday School. News reporters, photographers, and videographers were there to record the event - it was a big deal for the city of St. Louis.

Gifts were given in the service, an act that truly honored their ancestors for whom mission was one of the primary pillars upholding the congregation (and was their way of answering the question: "How do we die with dignity?") Recipients of their beneficence included: The Missouri Mid-South Conference, Eden Seminary (monies would fund an annual scholarship for one seminary student, and Ryan Otto was there in attendance to receive the first such one); Emmaus Homes (a mission agency for adult with disabilities); Evangelical Children's Home (for abused and neglected children); and many others. The Kaiser Bible (given in the early 1900s by Kaiser Wilhelm II to honor this historic church) was given as a gift to one of the history libraries in the city.

I stood next to the President of the church as the last hymn was sung: "How Great Thou Art." Tears were streaming down her face.

And for one last time, the faithful gathered for donuts and coffee.

Why do I tell this story?  

Because the telling of it brings shame and scorn to one who thought he would, should, and did take advantage of this situation without knowing the first thing about it. And because what he writes about this situation, and about my role in it, is so blatantly condescending, factually inaccurate, and disgustingly opportunistic that my weekly discipline of first reading, second laughing, and finally ignoring all he that he writes about me and the United Church of Christ would have to be abandoned this week.

That what he wrote pisses me off is irrelevant.

That what he wrote is not true is a bit more relevant, but not the purpose of writing this piece.

That what he wrote is harmful, shameful, and hurtful to those who agonized over this decision and came to embrace it because it was the right thing is a little more relevant - but not ultimately the point.

This site is dedicated to exposing the lies, the manipulations, and the tactics of those who dedicate themselves to attacking mainline churches in America. That what this man writes exposes the appropriation of available information for his purposes; the twisting of context and meaning; and the use of `facts' not in evidence IS what is relevant and revelatory - and therefore becomes the reason for writing this article.

His name is James Hutchins. His readership is so small and insignificant that I am loathe to widen it by mentioning it here. Though I am a frequent target of his ire and irritations, I choose to ignore for that very reason. But this act is so shameful and disgraceful, and so insightful - that I share it with you.

Here is how he uses this moment to create an impression for his readers.

First, two headlines on successive days:

Another UCC church closing it's doors
Sunday, August 19, 2007

Yet another UCC church closing it's doors
Monday, August 20, 2007

Next, a musing (rhetorical and demeaning in nature):

Maybe it's just coincidence, but two churches in two days? And these are just the ones getting press. Is this a bigger problem?

And finally, a conclusion:

What makes this all the more interesting is that while UCC Missouri Mid-South Associate Conference Minister John Dorhauer is running around the country trumping up a bogus conspiracy theory about UCC churches being stolen by other denominations, churches like Holy Ghost United Church of Christ are closing their doors. This doesn't mean the Conference isn't conscious about the loss of aging churches, but the emphasis publicly has clearly focused on Dorhauer's conspiracy theory.

For the record:
*    though beginning Saturday I will begin a two-month, now eight city book-signing tour (modest by book tour standards, and never once losing a day to my work and responsibilities here in the office, or to the churches I am called to serve) - I have not yet started that, and therefore it cannot be stated that such efforts have compromised my ability to staff the eventual closing of Holy Ghost church.
*    The closing of aging churches is as much a priority and an occupation of the office I occupy as the disruption of church life by outside attack agents. What James Hutchins has done is ASSUME that because he read my book, he knows what fully occupies my time.
*    ALL of the work done writing my book Steeplejacking, by directive of my Head of Staff and governing body, was done OUTSIDE of the time I spend in my office, and with and for the churches I am called to serve (that is, after the 12-14 hours a day I put in serving them).
*    By `publicly,' Hutchins must be referring to his limited capacity to know that about which I do. I assure you the churches I serve are as aware of the work I do with aging churches, with conflicted churches, with transitioning churches, and with succeeding churches (we happen to have quite a few of those) as they are of the work I have done with attacked churches.

This is a sad and regrettable attempt to defame me and my denomination; and what makes it so is the way he has taken advantage of and made assumptions about an honorable people who did an honorable thing. That some aging churches are going to close is inevitable; that people like James Hutchins are going to take advantage of them for his own ends is also inevitable.

I am hard pressed in the moment to decide which is sadder- though I surely know which is more disgusting.

By the way - be sure and log on to UCCTruths in the coming days - Hutchins will not let this article go without response. It, too, could prove just as insightful.

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