The United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to 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. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God.
From the Preamble to the Constitution of the United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ believes in:
Authority of the Scriptures – The Bible is the ultimate rule of faith and practice.
Doctrinal Freedom – Different covenants and confessions of faith are accepted in different congregations.
Christian Unity – All Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ, and must help each other.
The Trinity – Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit are one God.
God – Acting in love, God is ever active in the world.
Jesus Christ – In Christ, the only head of the church, God has come, conquering sin and reconciling the world to Divine Love.
The Holy Spirit – God sent the Holy Spirit as the Eternal One’s continuing presence and activity in the world.
The Church – The church consists of a group of people united in Christ through worship, work and witness.
Salvation – Forgiveness, grace and eternal life are promised to all who have faith.
Bearing Witness – We must each be disciples, in word and in deed – the strength of our faith.
Redeeming Faith – Each generation is responsible for rethinking its beliefs, as God’s word unfolds and conditions change.
Serving Others – The mission of the church is to work for justice for all and to establish God’s rule in the world.
* From About the United Church of Christ…A Guide to More Effective Church Membership, Published in 1980.