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That they may all be one (John 17:21).
This motto of the United Church of Christ reflects the spirit of unity
on which the church 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.
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In essentials unity, in nonessentials diversity, in all things charity.
The unity that we seek requires neither an uncritical acceptance of any point of
view nor a rigid formulation of doctrine. It does require mutual understanding and agreement as to which aspects
of the Christian faith and life are essential.
The unity of the church is not of its own making. It is a gift of God. But expressions of that unity as as diverse as there
are individuals. The common thread that runs through all is love.
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Testimonies of faith rather than tests of faith.
Because faith can be expressed in many different ways, the United Church of Christ
has no formula that is a test of faith. Down through the centuries, however, Christians have shared their faith with one
another through creeds, confessions, catechisms, and other statements of faith. Historic statements such as the
Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Heidelburg Catechism, the Evangelical Catechism, the Augsburg Confession,
the Cambridge Platform, and the Kansas City Statement of Faith are valued as authentic testimonies of faith.
In 1959, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ adopted a statement of faith prepared
especially for the United Church. Since that time, a revision was made by Robert V. Moss, president of the United Church
of Christ, 1969-76, and recommended for use by the Eleventh General Synod, 1977. Another revision, in the form of a
Doxology, was affirmed by the Fourteenth General Synod (1981). Both revisions use inclusive language.
"The Revision of 1981: A Doxology" is the version stated in this link.
The statement is widely used as a common affirmation of faith in worship and as a basis for study.
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There is yet more light and truth to break forth from God's Holy Word
This classic statement assumes the primacy of the Bible as a source for understanding
the good news and as a foundation for all statements of faith. It recognizes that the Bible, though written in specific historical
times and places, still speaks to us in our present condition. It declares that the study of the Scriptures is not limited to
past interpretations but is to be pursued with expectancy for new insights and help for living today.
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 ministers~servants~rather than as persons in
authority. Their task is to guide, to instruct, and to enable all Christians to do the work of ministry, rather than to do the work of
ministry for us.
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The unity of the church is not of its own making.
It is a gift of God. But expressions of that unity are as diverse as there are individuals. The
common thread that runs through all is love.
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The Priesthood of All Believers.
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.
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Responsible freedom.
As individual members, we are free to believe and act in accordance with our
perception of God's will for our lives. But we are called to live in a loving, covenantal relationship with one another ~
gathering in communities of faith, congregations of believers, and local churches.
Each congregation or local church is free to act in accordance with the collective decisions of its members, guided by the
Spirit in the light of the Scriptures. But is is also called to live in a covenantal relationship with other congregations for
the sharing of insights and for cooperative action.
Likewise, associations of churches, conferences, the General Synod, and national boards and agencies
of the United Church of Christ are free to act in their particular spheres of responsibility. Yet all are constrained by love to live
in a covenantal relationship with one another and with the local churches in order to make manifest the unity of the
body of Christ and thus to carry out God's mission in the world more effectively.
