The United Church of Christ UCC is a socially liberal mainline Protestant Christian denomination based in the United States , with historical and confessional roots in the Congregational , Restorationist , Continental Reformed , and Lutheran traditions, and with approximately 4, churches and , members. At the end of , the UCC's 5, congregations claimed , members, primarily in the U. The UCC maintains full communion with other Protestant denominations, and many of its congregations practice open communion.
UCC congregations are independent in matters of doctrine and ministry and may not necessarily support the national body's theological or moral stances. It self-describes as "an extremely pluralistic and diverse denomination". The UCC adopted its constitution and by-laws on July 4, The Afro-Christian Convention was a long-ignored "Fifth Stream" that had been neglected voice or visibility, resulting in an official apology from the denomination at the General Synod in Indianapolis, Indiana.
There is no UCC hierarchy or body that can impose any doctrine or worship format onto the individual congregations within the UCC. Within this locally focused structure, however, there are central beliefs common to the UCC.
The word evangelical, in this case, more closely corresponds with the original Lutheran origins meaning "of the gospel" as opposed to the Evangelical use of the word. UCC is generally theologically liberal , and the denomination notes that the "Bible, though written in specific historical times and places, still speaks to us in our present condition". The denomination's official literature uses broad doctrinal parameters, emphasizing freedom of individual conscience and local church autonomy.
In the United Church of Christ, creeds , confessions, and affirmations of faith function as "testimonies of faith" around which the church gathers rather than as "tests of faith" rigidly prescribing required doctrinal consent. As expressed in the United Church of Christ constitution:. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in this confession.
