Religious experience plays a vital role in how each of us experiences life. Love it or hate it, it is a force to be reckoned with, which many of us would never hope to rival. People experience it, discuss it, and criticize it, all in an effort to link it to the human experience. Comparatively, religious freedom brings many benefits and influences on each person, which are amplified by their capacity for free thought. It is on par with many other socialization mechanisms, and the relationship between people and God can be considered sacred. On the foundations of this principle are founded many movements and organizations, one of which I am a member of.
Do not be afraid, I am not planning to completely bore you out of your skin with this essay, but it is still something I consider to be worthwhile. Membership in the United Church of Christ Vital to my personal religious and social experience, and I advocate for more people to learn about the church. In this work, I really want more people to realize and share my passions, which is why I chose to speak about them in a freer tone than most. Without getting too deep into the meat-and-potatoes of things, I will discuss the group’s history, accomplishments and benefits, as well as highlight what it has done for me as an individual. The united church of Christ is a place of spiritual support and community where each member has the ability to be loved.
History and the Blend Between Christian Movements
The United Christian Church, as noted previously, is an organization with a rich and important history. I want to discuss it as a way to more accurately describe the benefits of being a member of this community, as well as to note its unique nature. Coming from the roots of Christian faith itself, the believers of America found union and collaboration in forming this organization. As discussed in a number of resources about the church, and its own website, the emergence of the church is more of unification and acceptance, emerging as a way to mend the late disagreements of various parts of the protestant and catholic church1. The different branches of Christianity have their own values and focus points, choosing to worship in different ways. The unifying idea, however, is that all worship is an act of love and service, a response to the kindness of Jesus Christ2. Therefore, understanding all potential ways to worship God is an important pillar of the Church’s organization. Instead of proclaiming their own way to be the only acceptable one, the United Church of Christ works in compromise and cherishes the ability of people to have a relationship with God the way they want to. It is by all means a culmination of years worth of study, research, struggle and ambition.
From this historic perspective, it is easy to witness that the United Church of Christ lives up to the principles of its foundation, and embodies an active effort to bring a unified spirit into the field of religious worship. Instead of adhering to a specific and all-approved way to honor Jesus Christ, it instead encourages exploration and collaboration, accepting different variations on worship and different rituals3. It is a place that affirms and understands its members, instead of choosing to mold them in its image. The United Church of Christ is an organization capable of embodying the underlying values of the Christian faith, along with its most vital aspects4. Similar to the way Jesus Christ himself attempted to help people cooperate with one another, care for the wellbeing of others and be outspoken, the United Church devotes its effort to giving the people a place to belong.
Polities
In its structure, the organization presents a fusion of existing methods of worship combining different polities together. Spanning many local organizations and groups of people, the church does not take action in regulating how the particular process of worship or organization should be handled. The church uses congregations in order to manage its members and hold services, while also adhering to a system that values “elder” figures as well. It is a system of governance which is crowned by its diversity, much like most other aspects of the church itself. Local churches can make decisions on joining the United Church of Christ, but the ultimate management considerations are left for them to figure out on their own. Principles of freedom, autonomy and agency are seen throughout.
Theology
Theology stands as the basis of the organization and its beliefs. With a foundation based on Christian teachings and the values of kindness, fellowship and camaraderie. God, as the lord and Savior, has helped people overcome sin through his son Jesus Christ, and the glory of these two figures permeates the teachings of the Church. The presence of God in a person’s life is understood to be constant, as both body and soul of each believer belongs to Him. Every person lives with sin, and is freed of it by the grace of their savior. In order to live a fulfilled life, it is necessary to exemplify devotion, life in faith and contribute to the lives of other people.
Acceptance, Understanding, Support
As noted previously, one of the things I liked most about the United Church of Christ is their love and acceptance. While many Christian groups make these qualities a focal point of their work, it is difficult to actually meaningfully achieve them. Making sense of the shared community and comradery shine through, supporting one another and uplifting those in need – these are the central values of the United Church. As noted by authors like Walker (2005), he culture of the United Church thrives because of its diversity, with various groups (Reformation, Enlightenment, and Pietism) coming together under the same roof5. Similarly, the organization has a wide range of collaborations with other religious entities and influences other movements and social groups. The Afro-Christian communities, for example, are incorporated into the larger UCC framework. The church collaborates with Christians all around the world, coming from a range of political backgrounds and situations. It also supports different Christian leaders in their ability to work with an audience, giving them a platform.
The core principles this Church follows have also found a reflection in daily life, where its support for different social causes is evident. Much like Jesus, the organization believes in the need for justice in society, which manifests in needing to support certain groups of people more than others. Social work and advocacy, along with community resources, are a vital part of how the UCC operates. No matter what walk of life a person subscribes to, they can rely on the support and assistance of this organization6. The group works in solidarity with social justice movements, and promotes the wellness of its LGBTQ+ members.
Bibliography
Gunnemann, Louis H, and Charles Shelrooks. The Shaping of the United Church of Christ : An Essay in the History of American Christianity. Cleveland, Ohio: United Church Press, 1999.
Johnson, Daniel L, and Charles E Hambrick-Stowe. Theology and Identity : Traditions, Movements, and Polity in the United Church of Christ. Cleveland: United Church Press, 2007.
Randi Jones Walker. The Evolution of a UCC Style : History, Ecclesiology, and Culture of the United Church of Christ. Cleveland: United Church Press, 2005.
UCC. “History.”United Church of Christ.
———. “LGBTQ Ministries.”United Church of Christ.
United Church of Christ. “Introduction to Worship in the United Church of Christ.”United Church of Christ. Last modified 1986. =
Footnotes
- Louis H Gunnemann and Charles Shelrooks, The Shaping of the United Church of Christ : An Essay in the History of American Christianity (Cleveland, Ohio: United Church Press, 1999).
- Daniel L Johnson and Charles E Hambrick-Stowe, Theology and Identity : Traditions, Movements, and Polity in the United Church of Christ (Cleveland: United Church Press, 2007).
- UCC, “History,” United Church of Christ. Web.
- United Church of Christ, “Introduction to Worship in the United Church of Christ,” United Church of Christ, last modified 1986. Web.
- Randi Jones Walker, The Evolution of a UCC Style : History, Ecclesiology, and Culture of the United Church of Christ (Cleveland: United Church Press, 2005).
- UCC, “LGBTQ Ministries,” United Church of Christ. Web.