What is the United Church of Christ?
It's a community of Christians Under Christ, the sole head of the church.
The UCC was once several church bodies, now joined together. Congregations support each other in the work of Christ through denominational structures.
The UCC has about 1.2 million members:
in over 5,600 congregations thorughout America
in cities, suburbs, and rural areas
of many nationalities and races
The goal of the UCC is to be joined together in one church on earth with all who share allegiance to Christ.
The UCC takes an active role in:
promoting cooperation between churches and denominations
bringing people everywhere together in the name of Christ
building sacramental and missional partnerships with other denominations and churches.
How is the UCC Organized?
The structure of the church is based on the local congregation.
The Local Church is the Basic Unit of the UCC
No official hierarchy manages local affairs.
Each congregation practices its own forms of organization, worship, education and mission.
The affairs of the church are managed by the members of each congregation.
The pastor is a member of the congregation.
Individual Congregations Work Together Through:
Associations. Groups of local churches work together to ordain ministers and set Association rules and procedures.
Conferences. These are made up of one or more Associations.
Christ is the only acknowledge leader of the church.
The UCC is also organized into national settings:
General Synod
Speaks to the whole UCC and oversees its worldwide work.
Elects UCC national officers, sets church policy, adopts a budget, etc.
Includes hundreds of delegates (half of whom are lay people) elected by Conferences.
Meets every 2 years. An Executive Council, made up of Conference representatives and others, carries out duties between meetings.
Covenanted Ministries
There are four covenanted ministries, each of which exists to be a faithful and effective instrument for God's mission in the name of the United Church of Christ. Each has its own focus, internal structure, and responsibility for a historic legacy.
Office of General Ministries
Cares for spiritual life, unity and well-being of the church, nurtures covenantal life and ongoing theological reflection, coordinates total mission of the UCC, and guides its pilgrimage to become a multiracial, multicultural church, accessible to all.
Justice and Witness Ministries
Enables work in all settings of the UCC on the integrity of creation, justice and peace, and the realization of its commitment to become a multiracial, multicultrual church, accessible to all.
Local Church Ministries
Encourages and supports the local churches of the UCC in the fulfillment of God's mission.
Wider Church Ministries
Supports all settings to participate in the global, multiracial, multicultural church in our ministries throughout the nation and the world.