The act of communion creates unity among past and present church members. In its statement of faith, the UCC quotes John , which states, "they may all be one," to reflect the belief in being united as a church and uniting others.
The church uses extravagant welcome, which is the act of welcoming all people into the church community, to unite church members with people of other faiths. Within the church, members are united in a priesthood of believers, which is the belief that all congregation members are equal and united as servants of God.
Still-speaking ministry is a belief of the UCC that has several meanings. First, still-speaking ministry refers to the belief that Jesus still speaks to Christians through new interpretations of scripture. UCC members are encouraged to pray, study scripture and use personal reflection to hear God's word. We gather for the worship of God, and through each week, we engage in the service of humankind.
UCC states that this slogan "reflects the spirit of unity on which it 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. The effect is a theologically liberal inclination. 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, educational, and administrative functions, but these persons are regarded as servants—rather than as persons in authority. Their task is to guide, to instruct, to enable the ministry of all Christians rather than to do the work of ministry for us. But we are called to live in a loving, covenantal relationship with one another—gathering in communities of faith, congregations of believers, local churches.
At the time of its formation, the UCC had over 2 million members in nearly 7, churches. The denomination has suffered a 44 percent loss in membership since the mids. By , membership was at about 1. We believe that the UCC is called to be a prophetic church.
As in the tradition of the prophets and apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor and comfort the afflicted.
We believe in the power of peace, and work for nonviolent solutions to local, national, and international problems. We are a people of possibility.
Visit the National United Church of Christ website to learn more about what we believe. Search Seeds. Manual on Ministry A guide and perspective for shared expectations in the essential ministry of Committees on Ministry. View Manual. Our Church in Action Doing justice, seeking peace and building community are central to the identity of the United Church of Christ.
United Church of Christ News. A little more than four years after Hurricane Irma devastated much of what was already The United Church of Christ recently welcomed new leaders in four of its More News.
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