UCC Faith and Theology in the Public Square

Under the heading “Who We Are,” the United Church of Christ denominational website leads with the proud declaration that the UCC is “A Church of Extravagant Welcome, Seeking a Just and Peaceful World.” The description continues, “For over 400 years, the United Church of Christ has been the church of firsts, weaving God’s message of hope and extravagant welcome with action for justice and peace. We are a church where Jesus the healer meets Jesus the revolutionary, and where together, we grow a just and peaceful world. Our history is filled with ways our faith and call for justice have effected change in our communities, and our response to the demands of our faith is woven into the history of our country.” But “changing communities” and “growing justice” do not happen if the effort is solely contained within Sunday worship or behind church doors. Clearly, if we are to heed the UCC call to work toward the creation of a truly just, welcoming and peaceful world, of necessity we must do so in the public square and in the chambers of public policy-making. In this course, we will engage in some in-depth exploration of what this sacred call means and looks like for us as UCC spiritual leaders and what role it plays in effective ministry.