Contact: David Runnion-Bareford, Executive Director, Biblical Witness Fellowship, 207-505-0600, areformer@aol.com

CANTON, Ohio, July 1, 2011 /Standard Newswire/ -- The liberal UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, the leader among protestant denominations in membership loss, is meeting at Synod 28 this weekend in Tampa, Florida using the theme of "SAND."

According to the Synod Handbook (page 8-9) describing the event's worship focus, "sand remains a powerful image of an unimaginable quantity. It also reflects the rich imagery of desert, of journey, of shifting sands." It goes on to say, "At the Twenty-eighth General Synod in 2011, the United Church of Christ finds itself in oasis and desert. Blessed with diversity of thought, vibrant life, and shifting sands, we journey through challenging times seeking possibility, engaged in thoughtful and difficult conversations."

Jesus used this image powerfully when he contrasted the wise man who built on the rock with the foolish, saying, "everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand." (Matthew 7:26) Renewal leader David Runnion-Bareford said, "This is indeed a powerful confession by the Synod of the UCC that, having rebelled against the word of God, is on sinking sand -- with our members, churches, historic witness, and identity in Christ washing away before our eyes."

Biblical Witness Fellowship, a Confessing Movement in the United Church of Christ, has been speaking the "truth with love" since 1978.

David Runnion-Bareford, Executive Director, can be contacted for comment at 207-505-0600.
Email: areformer@aol.com Website: www.biblicalwitness.org