Our Faith Defined...The preamble to the Constitution of the United Church of Christ is just three paragraphs long. Remarkably, the preamble, particularly its second paragraph, has played a defining role in the faith identity of the UCC while remaining virtually unknown in most local churches. (In paragraph I, the Synod adopted the Constitution; paragraph 3 defines the relationships among the various parts of the UCC. A copy of the Constitution is in the Church Office.)Preamble to the Constitution of the United Church of Christ, Paragraph 2: The United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians, it recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion. (Taken from UCC @ 50 our future, pg. 16) |
