COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is to explore the history, polity, theologies, and practices of the United Church of Christ and its predecessor denominations.  The course will include an exploration of denominational identity, African-American traditions within the denomination, case studies around current issues of polity and structure, current ecumenical conversations, emerging trends within the United Church of Christ, and more.  Successful completion of this course will fulfill the history and polity requirement for authorized ministry in the United Church of Christ.

STRUCTURE AND PROCESS:

History and Polity of the United Church of Christ engages learners around six vital themes in the life and faith of the denomination. The course is being offered in a distance learning format.  Participants will meet face-to-face for seven hours on two Saturdays, one at the beginning of the course and one at the end. Other requirements, including reading assignments and activities, will be completed on-line in a collaborative learning format.

UCC History & Polity Resources

• A Mystical and Moral Presence
• A Short Course in the History of the United Church of Christ
• An Ecumenical Primer by Rev. John Thomas
• Center for Progressive Renewal
• Chapter One - Why Unity?
• Chapter Three - What is the Ecumenical Movement?
• Chapter Four - What kind of Unity?
• Chapter Five - The Nature of our Ecumenical Companionship
• Chapter Six - Ecuminism and the Local Church
• Chapter Seven - Where do we go from here?
• Congregational Vitality and Still-speaking website / SEC
• Congregational Vitality and Still-speaking website / UCC
• Ecclesiology and Ethics
• God is Still Speaking
• Guide to Proposed Structure for the National Setting of the UCC
• Hidden Histories of the UCC
• Inclusive and Expansive Language in the United Church of Christ
• Interview with Welsey Hotchkiss
• Introduction - Walking Together
• Justice and Peace Issues from UCC Perspective
• Local Church Ministries Board Told, ‘Scales to be Tilting Toward Emerging Church
• Map of The Origins of the UCC
• Ministry Issues Pronouncement, The Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers in the UCC, and Ministry Issues Draft 3.1
• On Being an Unfinished Church by Elizabeth Nordbeck
• Overview of the Four Traditions Came Into the UCC (PDF)
• 2009 – 2010 Public Policy Briefing Book
• Reclaiming our Evangelical Heritage for the 21st Century UCC
• Reformed Identity by Rev. Dr. Timothy Downs
• Relationships and Functions in the UCC
• Round Table - The Legacy of the AMA
• Sacrament of Christian Vocation
• Sacrament on Discipleship
• Starter Kit for New Church Starts / SEC
• The AMA in the South - Over 500 Schools!
• The Big Tent and the Great Parade by Rev. John Thomas
• The Congregational Way and Christian Connection 1620-1931
• The Lord's Supper in the Congregational Christian Tradition
• The Order of Holy Communition for the Evangelical and Reformed Church
• The UCC at Fifty: Yesterday's Visionaries, Today's Voices
• Theology Resources
• "Too Soon to Tell"
• Tougaloo College and the Civil Rights
• UCC Firsts
• UCC Constitution and By-Laws
• Video of Lydia Veliko from 2008
• Video of Yvonne Delk on the Afro-Christian Connection
• Video of "Opening Worship of General Synod 25"
• Video of "UCC 101"
• Vignettes from the American Missionary Association
• We Are a People of Extravagant Welcome
• We Thank God by Working for a Just and Loving World
• Why the United Church of Christ
• Worshipping Into God’s Future