The Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, UCC general minister and president, addresses the UCC's Executive Council on Oct. 16, 2009. Photo J. Bennett Guess

In his first address to the UCC's Executive Council, new General Minister and President the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black commended the body Oct. 16, saying, "The UCC is an important voice in the church and society."

Black's remarks to the Executive Council came following his first two weeks as the denomination's leader. He began his presentation by recounting his orientation in which the "computer guy had a lot more to say" in 2009 than was said in 1994 when Black began a seven-year term in the Office of Church Life and Leadership. He also reflected on the all-staff community service day that occurred in his second week at the UCC's Cleveland headquarters, once again commending the National Office staff for their generosity where he experienced "a moment of real and true inspiration."

Calling upon the theme of change, Black outlined three priorities he believes will be definitive of his term as General Minister and President.

The first is healing of racial and ethic differences. Following extensive debate and disappointment by some at the proceedings concerning governance and racial representation at General Synod 27, Black urged, "We need to recognize how racial groups experience life differently."

Governance is the second priority for Black. Borrowing a phrase, he said the UCC's organizational layers had become "complexified" to the point that few understood which bodies were responsible for governance and which were tasked with operational management. "We need to understand that as a governing body we are policy makers - we monitor the work of those carrying out the mission of the organization," Black told the Executive Council.

The task for not-for-profits and churches, he continued, is to "develop a culture of governance in the United Church of Christ ... to move us to as a body - as a church - to a new understanding of our role and responsibility as a governing body in the church; this applies to all the Covenanted Ministries as well."

Black's third priority for the denomination is to develop an overall strategic plan for the UCC. Noting that Covenanted Ministries and ministry areas had their individual strategies, Black feels it is time for the UCC, "as a complex, multi-layered, dynamic, full-of-resources organization," to have an overall plan for mission and a way to measure progress towards its goals.

Citing what he characterized as the UCC's voice in the ecumenical arena, Black said, "We are an important voice for people who need to understand that the gospel and justice are related ... for people who need to hear that the gospel and compassionate action go hand-in-hand ... we bring and emphasis on biblical, theological and spiritual relativeness that has as its core God's quest for justice."

"We are an ecclesiastical voice expressing an ecumenical heart and mind," he said. "I believe we need to emphasize that and strengthen it - to share it with the world. It's not the UCC alone that has the gospel - it's all of our cousins in faith that have it to. We need to engage with them and listen to them as they listen to us."

"I believe we can do great things in Jesus' name around the world and in local communities throughout this country," Black said, referring to the need for interaction and interdependency in the Body of Christ. "I am excited about this church and our capabilities and our potential ... we have people who have caught the vision of what the UCC can be, and that makes me excited. With a little bit of excitement, you get a little bit of extra energy and you do things you didn't think you could do."

"I am excited about this church and what we can be engaged in," Black concluded. "And I believe you are too."