What We Believe

Our Vision Statement

Since Christian discipleship means changing what we believe, and how we act, in all our

personal, social, and political relationships; and since Christian worship motivates our actions,

nurtures our spirits, and also celebrates our traditions and experiences of the living God; and

since Christian ministry requires growin in discipleship, and being continually organized for

ministry; and since Christian faith is not only spiritual, but also political, we are called to

action.

Our Mission

Therefore, we strive to follow in the reconciling ministry of Jesus, as an inclusive,

justice-seeking community.

Our Covenant

We covenant to participate in worship regularly, to contribute both financially and with our

prayers, time, and talents to the mission of the church; to seek justice, peace, and compassion

for all persons through words, thoughts, and actions. We covenant to strive to grow in

discipleship in the Way of Jesus, by seeking wisdom through scripture and experience, by

building up the community, and by living the best lives we can live.

What We Believe

The preceding description can be amplified by significant phrases commonly used by

Christians, which express the commitments of the United Church of Christ.

• That they may all be one (John 17:21). This motto of the United Church of Christ

reflects the spirit of unity on which the church is based and points toward future efforts to

heal the divisions in the body of Christ. We are a uniting church as well as a united church.

• In essentials unity, in nonessentials diversity, in all things charity. The unity that we seek

requires neither an uncritical acceptance of any point of view nor a rigid formulation of

doctrine. It does require mutual understanding and agreement as to which aspects of the

Christian faith and life are essential.

The unity of the church is not of its own making. It is a gift of God. But expressions of that

unity are as diverse as there are individuals. The common thread that runs through all is love.

• Testimonies of faith rather than tests of faith. Because faith can be expressed in many

different ways, the United Church of Christ has no formula that is a test of faith. Down

through the centuries, however, Christians have shared their faith with one another through

creeds, confessions, catechisms, and other statements of faith. Historic statements such as

the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Evangelical Catechism,

the Augsburg Confession, the Cambridge Platform, and the Kansas City Statement of Faith

are valued as authentic testimonies of faith.

• There is yet more light and truth to break forth from God’s Holy Word. This classic

statement assumes the primacy of the Bible as a source for understanding the good news and

as a foundation for all statements of faith. It recognizes that the Bible, though written in

specific historical times and places, still speaks to us in our present condition. It declares

that the study of the Scriptures is not limited by past interpretations but is to be pursued

with expectancy for new insights and help for living today.

• The priesthood of all believers. All members of the United Church of Christ are called to

minister to others and to participate as equals in the common worship of God, each with

direct access to the mercies of God through personal prayer and devotion. Recognition is

given to those among us who have received special training in pastoral, priestly, education,

and administrative functions, but these persons are regarded as ministers- servants- rather

than as persons in authority. Their task is to guide, to instruct, and to enable all Christians to

do the work of ministry rather than to do the work of ministry focus.

• Responsible Freedom. As individual members, we are free to believe and act in accordance

with our perception of God’s will for our lives. But we are called to live in a loving,

covenantal relationship with one another- gathering in communities of faith, congregations of

believers, and local churches.

Each congregation or local church is free to act in accordance with the collective decisions of

its members guided by the working of the Spirit in the light of the Scriptures. But it is also

called to live in a covenantal relationship with other congregations for the sharing of insights

and for cooperative action.

Likewise, associations of churches, conferences, the General Synod, and national boards and

agencies of the United Church of Christ are free to act in their particular spheres of

responsibility. Yet all are constrained by love to live in a covenantal relationship with one

another and with the local churches in order to make manifest the unity of the body of Christ

and thus to carry out God’s mission in the world more effectively.

The members, congregations, associations, conferences, General Synod, and national

instrumentalities are free in relation to the world. We affirm that the authority of God as

revealed in Jesus Christ, and interpreted with the aid of the Holy Spirit, stands above and

judges all human culture, institutions, and laws. But we recognize our calling both as

individuals and as the church to live in the world: ministering to its needs—contributing to

the welfare of all—being enriched by those aspects of culture that help to make human life

more human—working through institutions and supporting laws that reflect God’s just and

loving purposes for the world—seeking justice and liberation for all—this is the challenge of

the United Church of Christ.

Click here to find out about our book, Open Arms Theologies, which contains

the thoughts of some of our church leaders on the church that is needed

today.