What is the United Church of Christ?
The United Church of Christ came into being in 1957 with the union of two Protestant denominations: the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. Each of these was, in turn, the result of a union of two earlier traditions.
Who We Are
"Our faith is 2,000 years old. Our thinking is not."
"No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here." "Never place a period where God has placed a comma." "In essentials–unity, in nonessentials– diversity, in all things–charity," |
Characteristics of the United Church of Christ
The characteristics of the United Church of Christ can be summarized in part by the key words in the names that formed our union: Christian, Reformed, Congregational, Evangelical.
Christian. By our very name, the United Church of Christ, we declare ourselves to be part of the Body of Christ—the Christian church. We continue the witness of the early disciples to the reality and power of the crucified and risen Christ, Jesus of Nazareth.
Reformed. All four denominations arose from the tradition of the Protestant Reformers: We confess the authority of one God. We affirm the primacy of the Scriptures, the doctrine of justification by faith, the priesthood of all believers, and the principle of Christian freedom. We celebrate two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper (also called Holy Communion or the Eucharist).
Congregational. The basic unit of the United Church of Christ is the congregation. Members of each congregation covenant with one another and with God as revealed in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. These congregations, in turn, exist in covenantal relationships with one another to form larger structures for more effective work. Our covenanting emphasizes trustful relationships rather than legal agreements.
Evangelical. The primary task of the church is the proclamation of the Gospel or (in Greek) evangel. The Gospel literally means the "Good News" of God's love revealed with power in Jesus Christ. We proclaim this Gospel by word and deed to individual persons and to society. This proclamation is the heart of the leiturgia—in Greek, the "work of the people" in daily and Sunday worship. We gather for the worship of God, and through each week, we engage in the service of humankind.
The characteristics of the United Church of Christ can be summarized in part by the key words in the names that formed our union: Christian, Reformed, Congregational, Evangelical.
Christian. By our very name, the United Church of Christ, we declare ourselves to be part of the Body of Christ—the Christian church. We continue the witness of the early disciples to the reality and power of the crucified and risen Christ, Jesus of Nazareth.
Reformed. All four denominations arose from the tradition of the Protestant Reformers: We confess the authority of one God. We affirm the primacy of the Scriptures, the doctrine of justification by faith, the priesthood of all believers, and the principle of Christian freedom. We celebrate two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper (also called Holy Communion or the Eucharist).
Congregational. The basic unit of the United Church of Christ is the congregation. Members of each congregation covenant with one another and with God as revealed in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. These congregations, in turn, exist in covenantal relationships with one another to form larger structures for more effective work. Our covenanting emphasizes trustful relationships rather than legal agreements.
Evangelical. The primary task of the church is the proclamation of the Gospel or (in Greek) evangel. The Gospel literally means the "Good News" of God's love revealed with power in Jesus Christ. We proclaim this Gospel by word and deed to individual persons and to society. This proclamation is the heart of the leiturgia—in Greek, the "work of the people" in daily and Sunday worship. We gather for the worship of God, and through each week, we engage in the service of humankind.
What We BelieveWe believe in the triune God
We believe that each person is unique and valuable. We believe that each person is on a spiritual journey We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic relationship with God We believe that all of the baptized 'belong body and soul to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.' We believe that all people of faith are invited to join Christ at Christ's table for the sacrament of Communion. We believe the UCC is called to be a united and uniting church. We believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others We believe that the UCC is called to be a prophetic church. We believe in the power of peace We are a people of possibility. |
UCC FirstsThe UCC is a church of many firsts. You could say we've always been an "Act Up" people. You can see from these stories that it's not always easy being first, but usually worth the risk!
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The UCC Statement of Faith
We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and
our God, and to your deeds we testify:
You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image, and set
before each one the ways of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets
and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you
have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and
reconciling the world to yourself.
You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of
Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and
races.
You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to
be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the
world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his
table, to join him in his passion and victory.
You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace,
courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and
rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.
Amen.
our God, and to your deeds we testify:
You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image, and set
before each one the ways of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets
and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you
have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and
reconciling the world to yourself.
You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of
Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and
races.
You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to
be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the
world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his
table, to join him in his passion and victory.
You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace,
courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and
rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.
Amen.