About us

Scripture declares and faith accepts that from the beginning God’s purpose was to gather all people in joyful, loving and permanent communion with Himself and with one another. The Church is the community of those who believe in the one God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit; who thus accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour: and so, by the power of the Holy Spirit, seek to live to the glory of God the Father. They covenant with God and one another to walk together in all His ways and ordinances according to all He has made known to them.

The corporate life and fellowship of the Church are experienced most immediately in the local church, gathered in response to the Word of God to worship, serve and witness to Him. The corporate life and fellowship of the Church are experienced more widely in the denomination. God’s purpose will not, however, be fulfilled until all barriers are broken down, and all the people of God accept one another without reservation as brothers and sisters redeemed through faith in Christ and incorporated into the one family of God.

With this understanding of the nature and purpose of the Church, the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa gives thanks to God for the grace and truth imparted to our forebears, which are our inheritance today. With the same understanding it claims unity with all who, through the centuries and throughout the world today, likewise have sought and still seek to fulfil their common calling by glorifying and serving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa therefore takes its stand alongside the other branches of the Christian Church in acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord of all and as the Head of the Church, which is His body. With them it exists to worship God, to work to His glory, to witness to His grace, and constantly to be reformed according to His Word. In obedience to its understanding of Christ’s will, it participates in the ecumenical movement and shares in the task of world evangelism and social transformation. It calls all people, society and states to repent and to accept and obey Jesus Christ as Lord and Liberator, in joyful anticipation of the coming fullness of God’s kingdom.

NAME

The name of the Church is A THE UNITED CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

This Church is a union of the churches of the Congregational Union, Church Aid and Missionary Society of South Africa, the London Missionary Society of Southern Africa and the Bantu Congregational Church of the American Board (which later has also been known as the Congregational Church in Africa, the Bantu Congregational Church of the American Board of Trustees, the Bantu Congregational Church of Southern Africa, Congregational Churches of the American Board, African Congregational Church and the American Zulu Mission), the South African Association of the Disciples of Christ (which includes the United Christian Missionary Society in South Africa, the South African Association of the Disciples of Christ and the African Christian Churches).

UCCSA believe that:

God is the source of all life.
Jesus is Lord of all.
The Holy Spirit is actively transforming the whole creation.
The church is a community of believers, called to uphold the values of the gospel and the kingdom of God.
We are a Christ-centred community of believers.
God creates humankind to fellowship with God and one another.
We must acknowledge our diversity as a family.
God creates all people equal and all have the right to fullness of life
We are servants of transformation and we are called to unity.
God creates us to work together for God’s purposes through the richness of our diversity.
The Holy Spirit gives a variety of gifts for the enrichment of God’s people.
Everyone is called for a specific purpose in fulfilling God’s plan.
God calls us and empower us to fulfil God’s purposes.
We are called to be faithful stewards.
God through God’s grace continues to guide and enlighten the church.
In Christ there is a future