That they may all be one (John 17:21)
This motto of the UCC reflects the spirit of unity on which the church is based and points toward future efforts to heal the divisions in the body of Christ. We are a uniting church as well as a united church.

In essentials, unity. In nonessentials, diversity.
In all things, charity.
The unity that we seek requires neither an uncritical acceptance of any point of view nor a rigid formulation of doctrine. It does require mutual understanding and agreement as to which aspects of the Christian faith and life are essential.

The unity of the church is not of its own making. It is a gift of God. But expressions of that unity are as diverse as there are individuals. The common thread that runs through all is love.

Testimonies of faith rather than tests of faith
Because faith can be expressed in many different ways, the United Church of Christ has no formula that is a test of faith. Down through the centuries, however, Christians have shared their faith with one another through creeds, confessions, catechisms, and other statements of faith. The UCC values these as authentic testimonies of faith. The UCC has a statement of faith which has been revised over the years into inclusive language (God is without gender and words such as "people" replace "men").

There is yet more light and truth to break forth from God's Holy Word
This classic statement assumes the primacy of the Bible as a source of understanding the good news and as a foundation for all statements of faith. It recognizes that the Bible, though written in specific historical times and places, still speaks to us in our present condition. It declares that the study of the scriptures is not limited by past interpretations but is to be pursued with expectancy for new insights and help for living today.

The priesthood of all believers
All members of the UCC are called to minister to others and to participate as equals in the common worship of God, each with direct access to the mercies of God through personal prayer and devotion.
Recognition is given to those among us who have received special training as pastoral, priestly, educational and administrative functions, but these persons are regarded as ministers--servants--rather than as persons in authority. Their task is to guide, to instruct, and to enable all Christians to do the work of ministry rather than to do the work of ministry for us.

Responsible freedom
As individual members, we are free to believe and act in accordance with our own perception of God's will for our lives. But we are called to live in a loving, convenantal relationship with one another--gathering in communities of faith, congregations of believers, and local churches.

Each congregation or local church is free to act in accordance with the collective decisions of its members, guided by the working of the spirit in the light of the scriptures. But it is also called to live in a covenental relationship with other congregations for the sharing of insights and for cooperative action.This relationship holds true for our denomination as well.

The members, congregations, and associations are free in relation to the world. We affirm that the authority of God as revelaed in Jesus Christ and interpreted with the aid of the holy spirit, stands above and judges all human culture, institutions and laws. But we recognize our calling both as individuals and as the church to live in the world:

• ministering to its needs
• contributing to the welfare of all
• being enriched by those aspects of culture that help to make human life more human
• working through institutions and supporting laws that reflect God's just and loving purposes for the world
• seeking justice and liberation for all.