United Church of Christ

Church Links

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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 denominations.  The Congregational Churches were organized when the Pilgrims of Plymouth Plantation and the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony acknowledged their essential unity in the Cambridge Platform.  The Reformed Church in the U.S. traces its beginnings to congregations of German settlers in 1725 Pennsylvania.  The Christian churches sprang up in the late 1700's and early 1800's in reaction to the perceived theological and organizational rigidity of the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Baptist churches of the time.  The Evangelical Synod of North America traces its beginnings to an association of German evangelical pastors in Missouri.  This association, founded in 1841, reflected the 1817 union of Lutheran and reformed churches in Germany.  Churches are autonomous and most issues are decided on the local level. ("The United Church of Christ," 1997.  Previously available from World Wide Web site @ www.ucc.org/ucchp.htm; INTERNET, 1-2, 4.) In 2002 there were 5,888 churches with 1,359,105 members.

Abortion: Since 1975 the General Synod has adopted a pro-choice position.

Affiliations: The United Church of Christ is a member of the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, and the Council for Ecumenism.  It is also a partner with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in Churches United in Christ.

Baptism: Baptism is one of two sacraments practiced in the church.  Thechurch practices both infant and believer's baptism.

Birth Control: Although there is no official position, the church has no opposition to birth control.

Capital Punishment: The General Synod opposes capital punishment.

Christ's Return: Christ will come again to judge all mankind.  There is no formal position on when he will return.

Communion: Holy Communion is the second sacrament practiced in the United Church of Christ.  Communion is open to all baptized Christians.

Creation vs. Evolution: God called the worlds into being, created man in his own image, and set before man the ways of life and death.

Deity of Jesus: Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, the crucified and risen Lord, has come and shared mankind's common lot, conquering sin and death, and reconciling the world to himself.

Distinguishing Beliefs/Practices: The United Church of Christ is strongly ecumenical as demonstrated in its motto, "That they may all be one."

Divorce and Remarriage: Divorced and remarried persons are welcome to participate fully in the life of the church.

Government: The basic unit of the United Church of Christ is the congregation.  These congregations exist in covenantal relationships with one another.

Heaven/Hell: Views vary.  Check with your local church.

Homosexuality: The General Synod has approved open policy toward gay and lesbian persons and permits ordination of gay and lesbian persons.

Inspiration of Scripture: The United Church of Christ affirms the primacy of the Scriptures as a source for understanding the good news and as a foundation for all statements of faith.

Miracles:  Beliefs vary.  Check with your local church.

Restrictions: None.

Security of Salvation: The UCC believes in justification by grace through faith.

Speaking in Tongues and Other Gifts of the Spirit: The use of sign gifts is not common in the UCC, but would not be prohibited.

Trinity: The Nicene and other creeds affirm the doctrine of the Trinity.

Women in Ministry: UCC has ordained women since the 19th century and women are welcome as leaders at all levels of church life.
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For more information contact:
United Church of Christ
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115-1100
Phone: (216) 736-2100
Fax: (216) 736-2120
Web site: www.ucc.org 

Church information from The 60-Second Guide to Denominations: Understanding Protestant Churches of North America (2003) by Shelly Steig, Published by World Bible Publishers, Inc.  Iowa Falls, Iowa