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One of Webster's definitions of polity action of the in the life , , deacon and pastor are government. is “a specific form of govern- of the individual believer, and the instruments through which the The United Church of is on ment.” It is the cloth which binds the activity of the Spirit in the life of the tradition is honored and nurtured its administrative side, Episcopal; on churches together in a denomination church? and through which the Holy Spirit its legislative side, Presbyterian; and and varies in style and design with • How does God speak to us through speaks, moves and leads. Authority on its judicial side, congregational. each denomination. Polity is the one another, and how are we resides in the office. The statement “on its manner in which a denomination prepared to listen? is based on administrative side, Episcopal” governs and administers its life and A second theological issue related convictions about the value of recognizes that leaders have been relationships among the individuals, to polity decisions has to do with associations of churches, and church chosen and authorized to act on behalf churches and groups within it. human freedom and sinfulness. Polity councils. This is a representative of the church in certain matters. An questions related to this understanding form of church government in example of this is often seen in the include: which delegates or representatives office of the conference minister. History and • Recognizing the presence of human from local churches gather to Conference ministers are the chief sin, is the individual Christian more discern the mind of Christ. executives or administrative officers Background or less competent than a group of Proponents of this form of polity of the 39 conferences of the United What churches believe about the Christians to discern the mind of believe that in such a gathering the Church of Christ. In this role they nature of the church, its relation to Christ? group, led by the Holy Spirit, can provide leadership to the churches in God and its purpose in the world • Should the freedom of the take action and make decisions. their mission and ministry, and they largely influences how they organize individual be preserved in all Gathered in such meetings, the guide policy formation, program and govern themselves. matters of faith and practice? representatives are seen as full development and program There are two or three basic theo- • Churches are described as having expressions of the church. As such, implementation in their conferences. logical issues that are at the heart of congregational polity, Episcopal their actions and decisions do not They also exercise pastoral oversight polity decisions. One of these is the polity or Presbyterian polity. While need to be affirmed or approved by for the ordained ministers and understanding of the freedom of God there are complex meanings of these the local churches for them to be churches in their conferences. As is and the free movement of the Holy terms, there are also simple valid expressions of the church. true of pastors of local churches, they Spirit. Polity questions related to this distinctions. Congregational polity are looked to for their wisdom and understanding include: affirms the freedom of the guidance in matters of faith and order. • What form of church government, individual in all matters of faith and Polity in the United “On its legislative side, structure and organization is most practice. It affirms the freedom of Church of Christ Presbyterian” recognizes that some responsive to the leading of the Holy the local church to govern its own decisions are made by representatives While it is possible for some denomi- Spirit? affairs apart from the control of in called meetings of associations, of nations to identify their polity as one • What makes church government, regional church councils or conferences and of the General . of the three types just described, the structure and organization un- associations of churches. Supporters These decisions determine how the United Church of Christ is not able to responsive, or a hindrance to the of congregational polity can recount different parts of the United Church of do this. One of the creative movement of the Holy Spirit? periods in church history when Christ will be together, how they will dimensions of the United Church of • How can church government, God's freedom was threatened by an together engage in mission and Christ is its blending of aspects of structure and organization maintain a ecclesiastical order supported by ministry and how they will order their each of the types of polities. healthy tension between its valued governmental power. They seek to lives and relationships. The United , writing in Reform tradition and its ability to be flexible prevent this from occurring again. Church of Christ values these settings and Renewal (page 38), describes and take risks in new directions? Episcopal polity is based on as gatherings where the mind of Christ United Church of Christ polity in • Is there a way to understand and convictions about the office of can be discerned. In most cases, parallel terms to the branches of civil make the distinction between the leaders in the church. The offices of delegates to these meetings do not go UCC Polity Page 2 of 4 A-47 instructed by their local church as to local church.” ways the life of your local church is geographic boundaries, coordinate how to vote on particular measures. The covenant partnership preserves influenced, enriched and related by programs, aid and counsel churches Rather, they are free to follow the these concepts: other settings of the church. and , help in placement of leading of the Holy Spirit. • Christ as Head of the church. Local churches join in covenant clergy and provide services such as “On its judicial side, • The priesthood of all believers. partnership with one another and with workshops and camping programs. congregational” recognizes that the • The autonomy of the local church. the association, conference and They are self-governing and each has local church does not relinquish its • Covenant among members creating national settings of the denomination a chief executive officer, the own authority to decide about its own a caring, sharing, accountable in order to be faithful and obedient to conference minister. life. The Constitution of the United fellowship. of Christ. The The includes more Church of Christ states that “The • Ordained ministers and churches purpose of partnership is to be than 700 representatives who meet autonomy of the local church is bound in covenanted relationships. effective and faithful in the mission every two years. It sets policies and inherent and modifiable only by its You probably identify yourself with given to the church. This is always the adopts a budget for work carried on by own action”... The General Synod, the local church where you have your question to ask of polity the national settings of the church. It conferences, associations, the General membership. Your church may be arrangements: Do they contribute to elects national officers and an Minister and President of the United large or small, rich or poor, rural or increased obedience, faithfulness and Executive Council, as well as most of Church of Christ, or its conference urban, liberal or conservative. effectiveness in being the church in the Boards of other national ministers cannot decide for the local Whatever its size or shape, your the world on behalf of the gospel and ministries. church. church makes its own decisions about mission of Jesus Christ? Programs on behalf of the church One of the best descriptions of worship, , membership, mission, In the United Church of Christ, are carried on by your church, the United Church of Christ polity is to finances and leadership. But your churches covenant as partners in: association of churches and clergy call it a dynamic “partnership church does not lead its life in a • Associations--regional gatherings around you, your conference and the covenant.” Partnership covenant vacuum. Members participate in the of churches. General Synod, through national values the commitment the parts of the life of your conference or association, • Conferences--39 larger regional bodies. These bodies include the United Church of Christ have made to and study the actions of your gatherings of churches, many Covenanted, Affiliated, and one another to live together, to work conference, your association, and the including all United Church of Associated Ministries, Councils, and together in behalf of the mission and General Synod. Your church uses Christ churches in a state. others. Christ in the world, resources prepared by the national • General Synod--a national When these groupings to support one another and to call one bodies of the United Church of Christ. gathering of representatives from communicate with each other—which another to accountability. It You may be led by a pastor prepared conferences. is frequent—the message never is recognizes that while no one part of in a United Church of Christ seminary Associations provide the avenue by “you must, because we say so.” the church can decide for any other and ordained by a United Church of which local churches are associated Rather, the message is, “because we part, we are bound continually to Christ association. Your church has with the United Church of Christ. (In are all part of one church seeking to listen to one another, to take one called a pastor who has been granted some places the conference serves as serve Christ, we need to take seriously another with great seriousness and to ordained ministerial standing in a the association). The association (or what each other is saying.” So open ourselves to being influenced by United Church of Christ association, conference), recognizes the General Synod listens to local one another. The Constitution of the who participates in the life of the credentials, of ordained ministers and churches and local churches listen to United Church of Christ speaks of this United Church of Christ and ministers is also is the place where they hold General Synod. Both listen to spirit of covenant partnership: on behalf of the whole denomination standing as ministers of the United associations and conferences. “Actions by, or decisions or advice as well as for your own congregation. Church of Christ. In some places, You may have noticed that people emanating from, the General Synod, a In calling a pastor your congregation associations have staff and promote in the news media don't always conference or an association, should is assisted by its association or programs. Conferences, which understand United Church of Christ be held in the highest regard by every conference. In these and many other include the associations within their polity. They write things like, “The UCC Polity Page 3 of 4 A-47 United Church of Christ says ...” or The cutting edge of partnership group and the bylaws of the United

“The United Church of Christ does ....” covenant may well be our continuing Questions Church of Christ to determine how They would be more accurate if they effort to find new ways to take • What are the strengths and problems you can most effectively bring that wrote, “The 19th General Synod said seriously what other partners in the of United Church of Christ polity in issue or need to the other partners in ...” or “The 23rd annual meeting of the covenant are saying and doing. The comparison to the polities of other the United Church of Christ Conference did ...” or “The recent temptation is to focus all of our efforts denominations? covenant. Follow through on trying annual meeting of First Church on the on making sure that no branch of the • If you had to describe the value and to build a broad consensus of support Green decided....” In each case, the church coerces any other branch. But in genius of United Church of Christ to meet the issue or need. responsibility for the actual decision the process of that effort, we may lose polity to a newcomer to your church • Research the important issues or rests only with those who were present opportunities to make the kind of who knew nothing about the needs that other settings of the at the meeting, but the responsibility powerful witness that Christ may need denomination, what would you say? United Church of Christ have lifted for taking seriously what was decided from us and that we might be able to What would you need to add for up in the past two years. Create a rests with all of us who are in covenant make if we each affirmed both in those who had no experience with forum in which your group can partnership with those who were freedom, and in responsibility, the any church organization? seriously consider one or more of present. “ties that bind” us to each other. • If we were to take more seriously the those issues or needs. Make sure United Church of Christ polity has a theological belief that God's Holy your group understands that no one is built-in commitment toward Spirit can speak to us through forcing you to take any action, but try Implications . If we are to take seriously gatherings of persons outside the to determine how you can best serve United Church of Christ polity is what every gathering of Christians is United Church of Christ, what as responsible partners in covenant to particularly suited to, and receptive to, saying, we dare not limit our careful changes do you feel would have to be those other groups who have raised decision-making initiative in any hearing to those who are in our made in life and programming in these issues and needs. setting. Since no setting of the church denomination only. your local church? In the • How do you feel when you read in has ultimate responsibility for any other Our polity also has a built-in denomination as a whole? the news that the United Church of setting, every setting must accept its commitment toward a concern for the • In what ways do you see United Christ has said or done something own decision-making responsibilities. world in which we live. The nature of Church of Christ polity serving the with which you disagree? Rewrite If your local church discerns that the covenant of reconciliation that God mission of the denomination? In that news article for your own benefit something needs to be done, it will start has established through Christ is hardly what ways does it hinder the so that it accurately reflects the polity doing it, and will let others know the limited to Christians alone. The mission? of “partnership covenant.” Now how importance it attaches to the task, in the concern for the hungry, the thirsty, the • How does the United Church of do you feel about the news article? hope others will take that task stranger, the naked, the sick and the Christ answer the questions found in • How can you most responsibly seriously, too. prisoner in Matthew 25:31-46 makes the history and background section of express your disagreement as There is the major risk that what one this clear. Nor, if we read that parable this description? partners in covenant? says the other will not take seriously, carefully, does the Holy Spirit single In what ways do you experience • Use these books for further reading and the responsibility will not be out Christians as the only ones who are congregational, Episcopal and and study. The Shaping of the widely shared. The best way to see that acceptable spokespersons. Our ultimate Presbyterian aspects of our polity and United Church of Christ by Louis something happens in and through the hope should be to hear what the Holy how do you react to them? H. Gunnemann (United Church settings of United Church of Christ is Spirit has to say-through every Press, 1977) and Theology and to take the time and effort to build as channel-and to respond in faith. We Identity: Traditions, Movement, broad and as deep a consensus of cannot fulfill that hope unless we take Action Suggestions and Polity in the United Church of support as possible, rather than to seriously the needs and concerns of the • Take an issue or need that concerns Christ, edited by Charles E. depend on the long-range influence of world Christ died to serve. you in whatever grouping you are Hambrick-Stowe and Daniel L. anyone component of the organization. gathered. Study the bylaws of your Johnson (The Pilgrim Press, 1990) UCC Polity Page 4 of 4 A-47

The Evolution Of A UCC Style: History, , And Culture Of The United Church Of Christ edited by Randi Walker, (United Church Press, 2005) and Freedom with Order: the Doctrine Of the Church in the UCC by Robert S. Paul (New York: United Church Press, 1987. Check with your conference Resource Center for these and related materials available to loan. Books published by United Church Press and The Pilgrim Press may be ordered from United Church Press/The Pilgrim Press, 700 Prospect Avenue, , OH 44115. Telephone, toll-free, 800- 537-3394. • Browse the United Church of Christ website, www.ucc.org. • The Life and Leadership Team of Local Church Ministries has prepared a document that explores the covenant relationship between local churches and associations (or conferences acting as associations.) You can download this document and others having to do with the polity of the United Church of Christ, from their web page: www.ucc.org./ ministers • Suggest that your association convene a conversation among its member churches to explore © 2005, Parish Life and Leadership the meaning of their covenant Ministry Team of Local Church Ministries, a Covenanted Ministry of the United relationships. Church of Christ