History
The United Church of Christ (U.C.C.) is a community of Christians under Christ, the head of the Church. The U.C.C. was formed in 1957 by united four churches. The U.C.C. goal is to be joined together in one church on earth bringing people everywhere together in the name of Christ.
The Congregational and Christian churches stressed congregational freedom and continuing reformation. Congregational churches support each other while at the same time remaining autonomous. The Evangelical and Reformed churches stressed liberty of conscience, authority of the scriptures and their common, liberal German Protestant heritage.
Today, the U.C.C. hopes to unite with still more churches fulfilling Christ’s prayer “that they may all be one.”
The Congregational and Christian churches stressed congregational freedom and continuing reformation. Congregational churches support each other while at the same time remaining autonomous. The Evangelical and Reformed churches stressed liberty of conscience, authority of the scriptures and their common, liberal German Protestant heritage.
Today, the U.C.C. hopes to unite with still more churches fulfilling Christ’s prayer “that they may all be one.”
Beliefs of the United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ believes:
- “the Bible is the ultimate rule of faith and practice.”
- “all Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ and must help each other.”
- “in the Trinity; Creator Christ and Holy Spirit are one God.”
- “acting in love, God is ever active in the world.”
- “Jesus Christ is the only head of the Church, God has come, conquering sin and reconciling the world of Divine Love.”
- “the church is a group of people united in Christ through worship, work and witness.”
- "forgiveness, grace and eternal life are promised to those who have faith.”
- “members must be disciples, in word and deed—the strength of their faith.”
- “each generation is responsible for rethinking its beliefs, as God’s word unfolds and conditions change.”
- “the mission of the church is to work for justice for all and to establish God’s rule in the world.”
Information on this page excerpted from “The United Church of Christ” 2004 Channing Bete Company, Inc. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989.