Posted on 04/17/2026 8:52:28 PM PDT by Cronos
The UCC is a really interesting denomination because it was once a genuine powerhouse in American Protestantism. The UCC was formed in 1957 through a merger of two older traditions—the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church. And for the record, Congregationalism mattered a lot in early American history. In The American Religious Landscape, I make the point that Congregationalists likely represented the single largest religious tradition during the Revolutionary era.
Today, the UCC is best understood as a mashup of Congregational polity—especially its strong emphasis on local church autonomy—and German Reformed theology. It’s one of the so-called Seven Sisters of the Protestant mainline, known for a broad understanding of theological orthodoxy and a long, visible commitment to social justice.
In 1970, the UCC reported its highest ratio of members to churches: 291 to one. That’s actually a really healthy number. But now the figure has dropped to only 152 members per congregation. In other words, they aren’t closing churches fast enough to keep that ratio up. To maintain a ratio of 291, it would require the UCC to have only 2,350 churches. That would mean shutting the doors of over 2,000 congregations.
(Excerpt) Read more at graphsaboutreligion.com ...
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I’m an old school Lutheran.
I really don’t like how
men have screwed up
religion.
God, the son Jesus,
and the Holy Ghost.
If you are a Christian,
that is all you need.
All the other BS people have
piled on since then
is not religion, it is politics.
I drink as much as I want,
I read the bible, and Ignore false
“prophets”
My judge is God.
My savoir is Christ.
GTo
Used to belong to Evangelical and Reformed church. After merger, our conservative congregation became more of a stepchild to the UCC. Emphasis went from Bible teachings to current social issues. Over the years their doctrine went further left. Today the church exists only because of the endowment fund as membership is well below 100. I left the UCC over 45 years ago and happily attend an independent Bible Church where Sunday attendance frequently exceeds 500 in two morning services.
Is there anything in this so-called Christian denomination that even remotely resembles any Christian or Biblical doctrine?
They support the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the like.
And most importantly: What's their position on transubstantiation vs. consubstantiation?
"Inquiring minds etc."
Regards,
In 1985, the General Synod declared itself “open and affirming,” welcoming LGBTQ+ persons into full participation, membership, and leadership
The UCC is a “non-creedal” church, meaning it does not require members to follow a specific creed, allowing for diversity in belief.
The UCC has a long history of activism, including being the first mainline denomination to ordain an openly gay minister (1972) and affirming LGBTQ+ civil rights as early as 1969.
The UCC argues that the Bible does not condemn modern concepts of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The UCC argues that scripture should be read with an understanding of its historical context. They contend that biblical references to “homosexuality” (e.g., Leviticus 18:22, 20:13) actually refer to specific acts of exploitation, sexual violence, or idol worship, rather than loving same-sex relationships.
In their study guides, the UCC points out that Leviticus 20:13, which calls male-male sex an “abomination,” was likely focused on a procreative ethic or idolatrous practices of that time, rather than a timeless ban on same-sex love.
the United Church of Christ (UCC) is a direct organizational descendant of the New England Puritans and Pilgrims
The Congregational side of this union specifically traces its heritage back to the Puritan and Separatist (Pilgrim) settlers of the 1600s.
I believe they come from what we used to call E & R.
Maybe they could merge with ELCA?
I think I discovered the problem.
The mainline denominations have become Feminized. Men, especially young men, are not interested.
The 2030’s will look like an extinction event for the Protestant Churches in America.
I find that many Christians avoid church because church isn’t about them.
Seven Sisters of the Protestant mainline
Episcopal Church
Presbyterian Church (USA)
United Methodist Church
United Church of Christ
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Disciples of Christ
American Baptist Churches USA
All 7 “churches” have become whores of Babylon. There is no moral depravity that they condemn. They make excuses and approve of all Libertine homosexual debauchery, Hedonism, orgies, extreme indulgence. Their leaders (and members) have become seduced by the main character in The Picture of Dorian Gray.
These filthy evil Satanic institutions who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ should all be shunned, defrocked, destroyed in the dustbin of history.
I go by a “church” weekly that has more gay symbology and readerboard sayings than anything about Christ or Christianity.
That seems plain enough to me....pretty basic. I might not agree with all that you do or all you believe, but the vice/versa is probably also true. I belong to an independant Bible Church, no state association or anything like that. Our pastor goes strictly by the Bible. The Bible is supposed to be God’s word; the truth & I think our members all agree with that.
I don’t know the exact quote, but a professor of mine attributed this to Calvin, admonishing pastors: “It would be better for you to fall and break your neck when climbing into the pulpit than to utter one word that would cause your flock to go astray.” I don’t know how many necks have been broken in the UCC, but it seems that plenty among their flock has decided not to be led astray.
I think the other Seven Sisters are headed to the same fate. They just started out with more of a flock to lose than the UCC did, so it will take them longer.
Regards,
Just like the Methodists when they merged with United Church of Christ to become UMC. Straight downhill, and now a schism; but I'm not holding out hope that Wesley's holiness movement will ever be revived. Five generations of ancestors turning in their graves. Only wish I had left sooner and found LCMS sooner.
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