Introduction:
Headquarters for United Church of Christ is in Cleveland, Ohio. It has its origin beginning in 1957. The United Church of Christ merged from the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. Their associations are with the National Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, and World Council of Churches.
They believe in God’s continuing testament. They are committed to hearing God’s ancient story over again in their lives and in the world today. They try to remain focused to God’s creative movement in the world. Religion and science are not commonly exclusive, and they are both welcomed into their places of worship.
Their polity are considered to be Congregationalist. The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC. These two denominations had their roots in Congregational, Christian, Evangelical, and Reformed denominations.
The United Church of Christ maintains full communion with other mainline Protestant denominations. The denomination places high emphasis on participation in worldwide interfaith and ecumenical efforts. They lean toward a more liberal views on social issues, such as civil rights, gay rights, women’s rights and abortion rights. United Church of Christ congregations are independent in matters of doctrine and ministry and may not necessarily support the national body’s theological or moral stances.
The United Church of Christ assists mutual discussions with many faith groups, including members of the Jewish and Muslim communities. This includes membership in the National Muslim-Christian Initiative.
History:
The United Church of Christ was formed when two Protestant churches, the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in June 25, 1957. Two of these were the Congregational Churches of the English Reformation with Puritan New England roots in America, and the Christian Church with American frontier early development. These two denominations were concerned for freedom of religious expression and local autonomy and united on June 17, 1931 to become the Congregational Christian Churches.
The other two denominations were the Evangelical Synod of North America, a 19th-century German-American church of the frontier Mississippi Valley, and the Reformed Church in the United States, initially created in early 18th-century churches in Pennsylvania and neighboring colonies, joined in 1793 to become a Synod. The parent churches were of German and Swiss heritage, carrying the Reformed and Lutheran traditions of the Reformation, and united to form the Evangelical and Reformed Church on June 26, 1934. (Post. 1986).
The Reformation of the 16th century found the church corrupt and involved in economic and political welfares. The differences over the authority and practices of Rome became irreconcilable. The Protestant reformers such as Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Calvin held that the Bible, not the Pope, was sufficient authority as the word of God. The message of Paul was that persons are justified by the grace of God through faith alone.
Protestantism spread throughout Europe. Lutheran churches were planted in Germany and throughout Scandinavia; the Reformed churches, originating in Switzerland, spread into Germany, France, Transylvania, Hungary, Holland, England, and Scotland. The United Church of Christ traces its roots back to those movements to proclaim the good news based on biblical truths led by the Spirit of God. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches shared a strong commitment to the freedom of religious expression. These two denominations found their authority in the Bible. (Post. 1986).
Belief:
United Church of Christ believe in the triune God: Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world.
United Church of Christ believe that each person is unique and valuable. It is the will of God that every person belong to a family of faith where they have a strong sense of being valued and loved.
United Church of Christ believe that each person is on a spiritual journey and that each of us is at a different stage of that journey.
United Church of Christ believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic relationship with God, engendering love, strengthening faith, dissolving guilt, and giving life purpose and direction.
United Church of Christ believe that all of the baptized ‘belong body and soul to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All persons baptized, past, present and future, are connected to each other and to God through the sacrament of baptism.
United Church of Christ believe that all people of faith are invited to join Christ at Christ’s table for the sacrament of Communion.
United Church of Christ believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others and to be good stewards of the earth’s resources.
United Church of Christ believe in the power of peace, and work for nonviolent solutions to local, national, and international problems.
United Church of Christ believe there is no hierarchy or body that can impose any doctrine or worship format onto the individual congregations.
United Church of Christ believe in the historic confessions including: The Apostles’ Creed, The Nicene Creed, he Heidelberg Catechism (inherited from both the German Reformed and German Evangelical heritages), Luther’s Small Catechism (inherited from the German Evangelical heritage), The Kansas City Statement of Faith (a 1913 statement in the Congregationalist tradition), The Evangelical Catechism (a 1927 catechism in the German Evangelical tradition), and The Statement of Faith of the
United Church of Christ (written at the founding of the denomination).
United Church of Christ believe the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world.
United Church of Christ believe in two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.
The United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior.
Reference:
Post Rowland, Margaret. (1986). “A History of the United Church of Christ.” United Church Press.
Official website for the United Church of Christ: http://www.ucc.org/
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “United Church of Christ:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Nov 2013.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2492,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2013, November) “United Church of Christ:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2492,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2013) “United Church of Christ:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (November), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2492, (accessed).