Q: What is expected of individuals and congregations who sign the Unifying Christians Coalition statement?
A: It is entirely up to the signatory/signatories how much they would like to be involved with the Ottawa Coalition of Unifying Christians (OCUC). You can subscribe to the newsletter or choose to accept invitations to join events such as panel discussions, speak at country board meetings, or participate in opportunities to publically support organizations such as our county health department. The purpose of one’s signature on the statement is to publically show the number of Christians who do not agree with the vision of Ottawa Impact.
Q: Are signatories expected to vote for certain candidates and/or political parties of Ottawa County?
A: No. The OCUC encourages Christians to vote for whichever candidate regardless of that candidate’s faith tradition or political party who will work for the common good of our entire county.
Q: Does OCUC believe in the separation of church and state?
A: Yes. That is one of the points mentioned in the OCUC statement.
Q: As a signatory do I or my church have to have an anti-Ottawa Impact Sign in my lawn?
A: No. Each individual may choose whatever further actions they feel called to take given the values in our statement.
Q: Are there opportunities for individuals of other faiths to join the OCUC?
A: Yes! The form to join the Coalition​ includes an opportunity for those from a secular worldview or another religion, who nevertheless affirm our values, to sign as well. The goal of the statement is to provide an alternative Christian voice for those who wish to stand united against Ottawa Impact and who find the theology of Ottawa Impact antithetical to the gospel of Jesus Christ. But we are grateful for any of our siblings from a variety of worldviews who wish to stand with us, sign the statement with us, and attend any of our events.
Q: Since OCUC partners with Vote Common Good, a political action committee doesn’t this make Christianity too political?
A: Vote Common Good, and their local expression Vote Common Good: West Michigan, who the OCUC is directly partnering with, are not organized as political action committees and, therefore, do not contribute funding to political candidates. Instead, both are 501(c)4 non profits according to the tax-exempt guidelines of the Internal Revenue Service. This means that they can engage with voters on an educational basis to promote the common good through various programs. Political candidates may choose, however, to become Common Good Candidates and thereby promote the organization's ideals by participating in programming.