What We Believe
In 1620, when the Pilgrims first set foot in the New World,
their pastor, John Robinson, told them
"The Lord hath more truth and light to break forth from His holy Word."
As direct spiritual descendants from the Pilgrims, we believe that our quest for truth is never done, that we can never be content with "the way things have always been," that the understandings of the past are not sufficient for the future. Simply put, we believe that it is the task of every generation to search the scrptures for new insights and new understandings, with the guidance of God's Holy Spirit. In the United Church of Christ, we often express this thought in the words of the comedienne, Gracie Allen:
"Never place a period where God has placed a Comma"
God is still speaking.
Since we believe that God is still speaking, we look to the church to offer testimonies of faith rather than tests of faith. The statement of faith that we use in our worship services evolved as more than a dry statement of facts that we believe, but is a doxology -- an offering of praise to God.
United Church of Christ Statement of Faith in the form of a doxology
We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify:
You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image,and set before each one the ways of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself.
You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, 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.
You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.
Amen.
For further information on the theology of the United Church of Christ, click here.