Progressive Christianity: an Introduction

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The United Church of Christ was formed in 1957 on the belief that the way we treat one another in community is more important than the particular ways we express our beliefs. Because we believe that Jesus also honored inclusion and justice over uniformity of belief, we seek to do the same — celebrating all our glorious diversity, and welcoming all into the healing circle of God’s unconditional love. Progressive Christianity is a term that encompasses all kinds of churches that are committed to an open and honest search for truth and meaning, wherever that search may lead. If you’d like to experience progressive Christianity for yourself, you’re invited to attend a Sunday worship service at First Congregational UCC, Salem. You can also visit our friends at ProgressiveChristianity.org for more resources and events.

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The 8 Points of Progressive Christianity (as offered by ProgressiveChristianity.org)

 

By calling ourselves progressive Christians, we mean we are Christians who…

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1.  Believe that following the path and teachings of Jesus can lead to an awareness and experience of the Sacred and the Oneness and Unity of all life;

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2.  Affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the Sacredness and Oneness of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom in our spiritual journey;

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3.  Seek community that is inclusive of ALL people, including but not limited to:

Conventional Christians and questioning skeptics,

Believers and agnostics,

Women and men,

Those of all sexual orientations and gender identities,

Those of all classes and abilities;

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4.  Know that the way we behave towards one another is the fullest expression of what we believe;

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5.  Find grace in the search for understanding and believe there is more value in questioning than in absolutes;

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6.  Strive for peace and justice among all people;

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7.  Strive to protect and restore the integrity of our Earth;

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8.  Commit to a path of life-long learning, compassion, and selfless love