Here are two statements explaining the core beliefs of the United Church of Christ Statement of Faith. The Expressions of our faith change as our history and culture evolves.
The original Statement of Faith is illustrated first, while Robert V. Moss, a leader of The United Church of Christ, offers a view that attempts to “de-sex” some of the language we use to refer to God.
One of the ads in the “God is Still Speaking” campaign of The United Church of Christ is; “Our faith may be 2000 years old, but our thinking is not!” God is Still Speaking!
“United Church of Christ Statement of Faith”
“We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify:
• He calls the worlds into being, creates man in his own image, and sets before him the ways of life and death.
• He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
• He judges men and nations by his righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
• In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, he has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to himself.
• He bestows upon us his Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
• He calls us into his church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be his servants in the service of men, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
• He promises to all who trust him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, his presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in his kingdom which has no end.
“Blessings and honor, glory and power be unto him.”
Amen.
“United Church of Christ Statement of Faith”
adapted by Robert V. Moss
“We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify: God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death.
• God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
• God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles.
• In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.
• God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
• God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
• God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.
“Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God.”
Amen.