United Churches Explained in 2 Minutes

[@lachy925]

As someone who grew up attending the Uniting Church in Australia, it was a nice surprise to see it mentioned here. I look forward to seeing your future videos on Australian churches and church history (as mentioned in your comments on other videos). :)

[@sam.mead__]

As an Aussie (although I'm not Uniting), I also was pleasantly surprised to see the Uniting Church in Australia mentioned.

[@CYC_JP]

Uniting Church is just a social club, not a Christian Church.

[@Ben-ed4wx]

Uniting Church is a farce and they hijacked our nice old churches.

[@lucask4398]

I love when the EKD is mentioned in your videos

[@FriesAreNice]

I don't 😹

[@Dilley_G45]

A former Lutheran Church

[@janiceschroeder9908]

This church is just a social club. The one I grew up in had no talk of salvation or how to obtain it.

[@lordbendtner9328]

All churches are either social clubs or political parties.

[@jamesparson]

Churches can be MLMs

[@gaiusoctavius5935]

@@lordbendtner9328 That's a broad generalization.

[@BrandonDanilition]

@@lordbendtner9328hat’s not true. A church, particular Orthodox and Catholic, is a place of deep ritual and prayer, where people receive Communion as the living body of Christ. I’ve attended a United Church once and it does have a more of a hangout, social club vibe compared to the older and more ancient churches, which are focused on ritual originating themselves to the first Christians, where people come together to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. It’s a spirituality.

[@dicknig1054]

That's all Protestant "churches"

[@pazdeleon]

Do you have a video for the history of Evangelicalism from the Reforation to the present?

[@toranshaw4029]

There's also the United Reformed Church (URC) in the UK, which itself has several congregations that have 'merged' with Methodist ones... the one in my home town being a good example!

[@canadianmormarchist]

I was born into the united church of canada the hesitancy to discipline ministers for theological belifes are extreme enough that there is a current minister who is an athiest.

[@saltyyankee5149]

When our church joined the UCC back in the late 80's, it hulled out the church. More than 1/2 the Congregation let over the next decade and it never recovered. Our family moved to the Presbyterian Church, though we have a New England Baptist Route. It's sad but all the UCC churches around are area are empty husks with secular events in their parish halls as a public service. Not sure how the other churches fared outside my area, but it's sad to see good churches die off

[@matthewjensen5522]

Glorious Lord’s day to you all! Glory to God!

[@jamesparson]

And what does that mean besides “have a nice day”

[@DevanK-rg3td]

@@jamesparson leave

[@jamesparson]

@@DevanK-rg3td I don’t think it means leave. I wonder what you think of shunning?

[@rwboa22]

My maternal grandmother's paternal grandparents (one of the first families to settle in Beaver Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania; they were from Berks County before resettling) went to a "Union Church" that had separate Lutheran and German Reformed services, depending upon if the minister serving as pastor was either Lutheran (from the former Pennsylvania Ministerium, now part of the so-called "ELC"A) or the former German Reformed Church that is now part of the so-called United "Church of Christ". As I had mentioned the former Pennsylvania Ministerium, prior to the Neo-Lutheran movement in the 1850s, it was common practice in the Ministerium to allow for German Lutheran congregations to call German Reformed ministers as pastors if there was no Lutheran ministers available, as it was the case of many congregations within the Ministerium. The Neo-Lutherans within the Ministerium managed to leave the former Evangelical Lutheran General Synod and form the Evangelical Lutheran General Council, which included the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod as a member body (and the LCMS sent observers to some meetings), however the WELS would later withdraw over the "Four Points", which included the aforementioned practice of allowing Calvinist ministers to preach from Lutheran pulpits and "Close Communion" (allowing baptized Christians from other denominations to receive communion at a Lutheran Church congregation).

[@andyontheinternet5777]

As someone who grew up in the UCC, stay away. You might as well just stay home and watch MSNBC.

[@wessbess]

I was wondering if you could do some individual nondenominational churches. What is the theology and doctrine of Rodney Howard Browne?

[@FriesAreNice]

EKD mentioned! Still sad to think about how much Protestantism in Germany fell off 😿

[@KandiKlover]

Fell off worldwide

[@saintsm]

Can you do a video of Church of North India.

[@nathanjohnwade2289]

Asian based churches are rarely discussed in the West, so I'd like to learn more.

[@Robert_Sparkman_01]

You should write a book on denominations.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Attended a UCC a couple occasions or so such as a funeral. Also been in a United Church of Canada touring Québec City.

[@merkel7647]

Isn't that the "church" that has an atheist pastor?

[@leullakew9579]

Yes 😂🥲¡

[@pianickname8514]

Why do you think so? I‘m part of the EKD and as far as I know every pastor has to study for multiple years and take exams at a university…

[@canadianmormarchist]

yep united church of canada

[@majafleur9646]

Yes!

[@sethward1835]

I'm glad you made a video about my denomination, United Church of Christ. I was just baptized a few weeks ago (as an adult) and I think the rule of thumb is to baptize infants (which I think is kinda weird as I saw baptism as a symbolic gesture of salvation like a "coming out" to the community, but they see it as making someone a member starting from birth and building that community with the family so... whatever I guess), except in cases of older people who want to join the church who have not been baptized before. I am queer and my independent baptist church I grew up in did not approve and refused to baptize me. When I found the UCC congregation near my college campus, I initially wanted to get involved with the volunteer work, but while I was there I could feel myself connecting with God in a way I hadn't before. The services are liturgic and we sing only hymns while wearing robes (I'm in the choir), and in many ways we seem traditional, but the messages in the sermons are a little more progressive and inclusive. Growing up in a conservative church under the guise of "new age contemporary ministry," I hated the idea of "watering down" the Bible so nobody would be offended or try to be a good person. But when I saw it being used for straight-up hate, it was clear that the messages they wete sending were more manipulative than being made in good faith. In my UCC church, the pastor encourages us to learn more about Scripture by giving us all new Oxford Annotated NRSV Bibles, and she gave me plenty of theological literature from seminary because I was so interested. Building the Faith while also encouraging critical thinking skills concerning our essential religious texts is what keeps these traditions from becoming just another cult because we have the opportunity to come to our own informed conclusions, and that's really important when Christianity is becoming more polarized and weaponized. I don't know if every church is like this, but the one I attend actually cares about the community inside and out of the church, and I don't think it makes them a sell-out to tell your followers to "love thy neighbor" and not be an ass? Like that's common sense Christian 101 stuff. At the beginning of every service, my pastor tells us "whoever you are and wherever you are on your faith journey and life journey, you are welcome here," and if that ain't the darndest thing you ever heard, I don't know what is :,)

[@ClockworksOfGL]

UCC=“Unitarians Considering Christianity” Seriously though, I prefer the UCC tendency of openness, even though I’d probably consider myself far right of 7th Day Adventist in many matters. Keep in mind that not every congregation has adopted an “open and affirming” doctrine. But it’s been my anecdotal experience that churches that use scriptures to exclude certain groups eventually start excluding some groups in *spite* of scripture. Or to even justify bad behavior in general, usually because it was economically advantageous.

[@vap0rtranz]

Your UCC pastor sounds like mine! Except the baptism. We accept the sacrament of baptism but do not require it. Many active members are not baptized. Our Church also accepts LGBTQ+. I've felt that my pastor believes strongly in salvation through Christ. Our liturgy always includes references to Jesus, and we have open communion. But I do not feel pressured to fall in line with my pastors beliefs. So I agree with you that every person should be encouraged to read from Christian texts, and study on them with prayer and guidance from brothers and sisters who love each other.

[@Lorrainecats]

Thanks for this content. Used to be a UCC member, now ELCA.

[@Andthethingwhich]

I hope that you convert to Christianity

[@Lorrainecats]

@@Andthethingwhich Did, a long time ago, but thanks for your concern.

[@Andthethingwhich]

@@Lorrainecats But ELCA is not a Christian denomination?

[@Lorrainecats]

@@Andthethingwhich Yes we are. And how would you know? Ever attended?

[@Andthethingwhich]

@@Lorrainecats I would know because ELCA teaches against the Book of Concord, and the Bible

[@SojournerDidimus]

The PKN in the Netherlands is one such united church

[@JungleJimAB9AB]

What is the recent separation from the United Church of Christ called? "USEFUL CHARTS" once referred to the movement, but I can no longer find the reference. As I was associated with the UCC from the 1950's-1980's, I would like to know more about this parting of policies and practices. Can you help?

[@ReadyToHarvest]

You're probably referring to the Evangelical Association of Reformed and Congregational Christian Churches.

[@brianmurray8905]

Would ‘Blended’ be a more accurate title than ‘United’ church?

[@kelzworldkz9347]

Could you do a short on Christian Universalism? Thanks

[@DevanK-rg3td]

He has

[@doubledee9675]

The Uniting Church of Australia was formed as a merger of almost all Congregationalists, a slightly smaller percentage of Methodists and around 70% of Presbyterians. It's hard to set out any defining theology of the new church beyond a general Protestantism, and on top of that there are different emphases in different congregations. The same can be said of liturgical practices, and I don't think it's unfair to say that to this outsider a lot seems to depend upon the tradition of the denomination which was the former occupant of the building.

[@woody1320]

The RCUS is still in existence today (not part of the UCC) orthodox and reformed.

[@GermanShepherd1983]

A few old line ministers plus a few Baptist ministers basically hijacked the RCUS name after the 1934 merger because the E & R neglected to protect the name. The RCUS today is really a completely different church then the old pre merger RCUS. They have virtually no members left and are far more conservatively radical today. If anyone is considering a more conservative Reformed or Presbyterian church I would suggest either the Orthodox Presbyterian Church or the United Reformed Church.

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

The United Church is the perfect congregation for people who have no intention of taking exegesis, hermeneutics and theological method seriously.

[@__seeker__]

Precisely.

[@woody1320]

Spot on

[@gamerofedge8111]

I grew up in a mixed family(Half Anglican/Catholic, Half Mennonite/Evangelical) and honestly having been to Baptist, Mennonite, Pentecostal, Anglican, Catholic and United Churches, the United one felt the most welcoming. I'm also Queer so it felt safer than a lot of the other churches(When I went to the Baptist church and one of the pastors found out I was bisexual he literally starting screaming at me lmao, I was 13), and they had good views on God and Jesus and how they believe they would've wanted Christians to treat those who were Gay/Trans. Also, especially in Canada they've been taking amazing strides towards reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples here

[@thejdogcool]

In other words, the United Church isn't Christian. It's Modernist, and takes its bearings more from Kamala Harris than Jesus Christ.

[@gamerofedge8111]

@@thejdogcool Lmao Jesus was a POC oppressed under an authoritarian government who encouraged empathy, respect, loving one another regardless of differences and freedom for the oppressed. If anything, the Evangelicals, Orthodox and Catholic's social teachings have strayed over traditionalists not being able to get over themselves.

[@gamerofedge8111]

@@thejdogcool Luke 4:18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free' 2 Esdras 11:41-43 41 You have judged the earth, but not with truth, 42 for you have oppressed the meek and injured the peaceable; you have hated those who tell the truth, and have loved liars; you have destroyed the homes of those who brought forth fruit, and have laid low the walls of those who did you no harm. 43 Your insolence has come up before the Most High, and your pride to the Mighty One. Psalm 10:12 Rise up, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the oppressed. Psalm 76:9 when God rose up to establish judgement, to save all the oppressed of the earth.

[@thejdogcool]

@@gamerofedge8111 lol, you people are beyond parody. A "person of color"? Get real. He was a Jew who constantly telling other Jews not to take pride in their heritage but to find God in their heart. And who persecuted him? Not the Romans -- Pontious Pilate wanted nothing to do with him. It was other Jews in the Sanhedrin who wanted his death.

[@gamerofedge8111]

@@thejdogcool The Israelites were brown, the earliest depictions of Jesus we have show him very clearly as having been non-white, he took part in passover and called for an end to oppression of the Jewish people by the Roman Empire. Jews did not want Jesus dead, Jewish AUTHORITIES did, and Pontius Pilate was only one roman, the emperor literally wanted the early Christians eradictaed because of how liberating their teachings were. It's crazy how y'all follow your precious priests teachings so blindly...

[@cabebishop]

I look forward to a larger and more united United Church made up of the mainline denominations in both the US and Canada. Being part of a united and uniting church means the work is not over, there is still paths of many towards future mergers.

[@mingseleget7460]

Excellent

[@BossVolt]

The hesitancy of punishment for priests amongst these United Churches saw a priest in the United Church of Canada allowed to continue their ministry despite being an open atheist. So... yeah, avoid the United Church of Canada for allowing such a thing

[@billhildebrand5053]

I like this..

[@Magnulus76]

That's an excellent summary of this church movement. It was mostly a mid 20th century thing, where there was alot of enthusiasm for Christian unity. The Anglicans call the relative theological pluralism most Anglicans practice "latitudinarianism", and I think that's a good description for churches like the UCC, also.

[@active6302]

These united churches are so far from the original Gospel they have become service clubs, not churches.

[@cabebishop]

I love both the UCCs, though I am partial to my own United Church of Christ!

[@JackieLarose]

I heard you should be a denomination teacher

[@WLBarton4466]

The church of Christ is not to be confused with the UCC. No infant baptism. How would a baby know to repent to be baptized in immersion? There is no hierarchy either in autonomous churches of Christ.

[@rparl]

I was momentarily a member of a Church of Christ (non instrumental) while I was in the Army. At one point a little girl referred to Brother (something), who had joined an instrumental Church of Christ in town (Colorado Springs). No, that's Mister (something) she was told sharply. That's when I realized that this wasn't a church for me they only had a pitch pipe and the hymnals had shape notes, which I'd never seen before.

[@WLBarton4466]

@@rparl No need to capitalize the c in churches of Christ. As for the setting we don't go for all the trappings prosperity gigolos do. Dignified worship with communion, congregation singing, prayers is sufficient.

[@Mic1904]

@@WLBarton4466 The capitalization of 'Church of Christ' is not a matter of theology, but of the very basics of the English language and proper nouns... you'd be as well omitting the capitalization from your own name, wesley.

[@rparl]

@@WLBarton4466 Reminded me of ee cummings, who styled his name without capital letters or punctuation. Also in High School German we were taught that all Nouns were capitalized. Personal Names we didn't cover. Would it be proper if it were at the beginning of a sentence?

[@JackieLarose]

My friend says your quiz is very tough

[@KevinArmitage]

catholic church is the one and only true church

[@PokerMonkey]

Just another of the thousands and thousands of Protestant denominations, all man made, and all teaching different doctrines yet reading the same Bible. SMH

[@drew4087]

Found the Catholic

[@RUT812]

The church of the Nazarene is too legalistic.

[@thetraditionalist]

good overview but sadly they tend to be heretical

[@gamerofedge8111]

They're a hell of a lot better than the Baptist and Catholic Churches I've been to.

[@clintonstephens273]

Sounds like “united” churches unite over the doctrines of demons.

[@PGVEL]

They unite the oppressed to Jesus something gate keepers like you would hate. But you will be judged accordingly for turning people away from praying to Jesus. Repent already if you haven’t.

[@KikiYushima]

Oh hey something about my denomination (UCC).

[@onceamusician5408]

you do realize that what you are surveying in all of your work here is not the living and vibrant community of faith in all its rich variegation , but the dead trees in a petrified forest. No! I am not claiming ot be a creature of deep and abiding faith. I am riddled with unbelief and thereforr heresy. I say heresy for if i do not believe the gospel then what i do believe is not the gospel and is therefore heresy, andwhat i believe is not shown in what doctrines i assent to but in how i live but i know that the churches are of no use to me. their hersies are clearly listed in the Bible, as are my own. but they are too far gone in self righteousness to even consider that they re ruled by unbelief so iam forced to go to theonly remedy to this, th eperson who is Jesus Christ. of coure they all say this too. but look at their fruit doctrine and praxis. they are wrong a paleontologist might want to survey the dead trees of a petrified forst, andas a scholar i have some mild inerst in thi also but my need is too pressing to ever waste my time seeking a church ever again

[@pixieburton3131]

Hello OaM, The only remedy is always to look to Jesus Christ, for all that ails mankind. I am glad to hear that is what you are doing. Paul admonished us to be as the Bereans, checking the Scriptures daily to see if what we hear is true. Pastor Joshua’s work in explaining the doctrine and teachings of various denominations in no way endorses nor favors any one of these denominations. What it does, is to allow us, as individuals, with Free Will, to make choices regarding denominations based on his neutral presentations and our willingness to be, and efforts spent as, good Bereans. I cannot deny much of what you say, but the bottom line is we are to look to Jesus Christ for Salvation, not any denomination, ever. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t know what the denominations in our area of the world teach to help us make wise choices. As we are admonished to never forsake the gathering of ourselves, especially as we grow closer to the end times. Bless you OaM!

[@jamesparson]

So what do you think the Bible is?

[@Mic1904]

If, as it seems, you consider the Bible authoritative, then I would consider following its instructions on joining yourself to the fellowship of the local church.