As congregationalists, our congregation is the highest authority in our church. It’s an independent body, covenanted to the larger denominational church for a kind of mutual support.
Our church has alliances with other churches with which we covenant at the regional, state, and denominational level.
“I grew up in the Catholic Church, and married into the United Church of Christ as a compromise church with my wife. At first, it felt really strange not to have an ‘official position from on high’ in the church. It felt like the UCC was a wishy-washy denomination, with no convictions.
“But I’ve been a UCC congregant for 15 years, and I’ve learned to really appreciate congregational churches. Our church, in addition to being congregational, is “covenantal.” So, the highest level of authority is Jesus, not a church institution. In a practical sense, the faithful govern the work of the church through the church council, and you don’t have to sign off on any particular dogmatic issues to be a member.
“Instead, at our church, you are supported and challenged to tell me what you believe, while I am supported and challenged to tell you what I believe. This takes a fair bit more honesty and courage than being given a theology to sign off on. It really pushes me to find my own way spiritually, together with my faith community, rather than follow along.”
