General Assembly
2024 May 1986
The United Church of Christ in the Philippines is a product of an ecumenical endeavor by the union of five Churches-Presbyterian, United Brethren, Methodist, Disciples, Congregational, and some indigenous churches—and as such has been in the forefront of ecumenical dialogue and movements. By the very nature of its historical background, the UCCP is a member of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, the World Council of Churches, Christian Conference of Asia, The World Methodist Council, and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and as such, her concerns are universal and inclusive, her spirit is progressive and her attitude is open-minded.
As such the UCCP is open to the spirit of new ecumenism which goes the traditional denominational lines to the new and progressive sectoral groupings. This new ecumenism has come out of the people’s for justice, peace, human dignity, genuine freedom, and democracy. It’s objective is not primarily the survival of the churches but the welfare of Filipino masses especially those most depressed and oppressed.
With the above understanding and spirit, the UCP adopts the following policy statements:
1. For a more united and effective Christian witness and service of the Christian churches, the UCCP relates herself with some churches and denominations and wold confessional bodies through the framework and structures of the National Council of Churches (NCCP), World Council of Churches (WCC), Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), and World Methodist Council (WMC). These relationships are defined in the constitution and by-laws Memorandum of Agreement and Concordat adopted by these churches. The NCCP member churches with which the UCCP relates are the following: Philippine Independent Church (PIC), United Methodist Church (UMC), Lutheran Church of the Philippines (LCP), Salvation Army Church (SAC), Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC), Philippine Episcopal Church (PEC) Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas (IEMELIF), Iglesia Unida de Cristo (UNIDA), and the Christ-Centered Church (CCC).
2. With regards to the non-NCCP Churches and sectoral groups, the UCCP should relate to them in the following manner:
a. On development projects.programs. The UCCP churches in the local, conference and jurisdictional level may carry on development projects/programs with any religious or non-sectarian groups on the following basis:
- provided that these projects/programs are mutually agreed upon, after sone consultation by the parties concerned.
- provided also that these are concerned by the following entities, where any of these are concerned:
a. local church council or the pastor;
b. conference executive committee or the moderator;
c. jurisdictional executive committee or the bishop;
d. General assembly Executive Committee or the General Secretary;
3. provided further that if these projects/programs use primarily facilities, equipment and involve the UCCP pastors and churches members, said projects/programs should be under the management and control of the UCCP;
4. provided furthermore, that in the periodical evaluation of the project/programs, the office of the moderator or of the bishop or their duly authorized representative be invited or whoever is directly concerned, on the basis of the project/program submitted and endorsed.
a. On activities for evangelism, Bible studies, prayer rallies and worships
The UCCP churches in the local, conference and jurisdictional levels may participate in as a church in any ecumenical activities and gatherings provided that said activities are truly ecumenical in nature, content, agreed upon, planned together and participate in by the churches concerned. Otherwise, participation should be left to individual conscience.
b. On the use of the pulpit and other church facilities
Any local church pastor or church council may invite a non-UCCP preacher to use the pulpit and may offer the use of church facilities to any person or group which is non-UCCP provided that there is an approval by the church council members and by the moderator of the conference whenever possible. Without such approve no one should be allowed to preach in the pulpit and use church facilities of the UCCP.
c. On Church Worker Participating in any ecumenical movement
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- Any church worker (or church leader/leaders may participate in any ecumenical group or movement or program on his own individual decision, provided that such action is not inimical to the church and provided further that he or she informs his/her immediate group to which he is responsible;
- provided further that in case she or he wants to act on any official way, she or he should get the authority of the body concerned;
- Any church worker may be allowed to work fulltime in any ecumenical program or project not considered as conference project;
a. provided that he/she secures recognition from the conference.
b. provided that he/she does not get benefits from the UCCP insurance and hospitalization plan.
c. it is understood that these benefits will not be shouldered by his/her employer.