The difference is not always obvious. We look the same as people in other churches.  Many of us come from other church backgrounds. We celebrate life together and become an extended family that provides support during the tough times. We are a community where our children see a value system in action that is connected to both the past and the future.

We search for truth, knowing that our questions may be more important than our answers. All our ideas are open to review and we need your ideas, too.

What does it mean to be Christian?

We see Jesus as a model of human wholeness and human responsibility. Within our congregation, there are diverse understandings about salvation; we avoid having a test of belief.  Instead, we value individual conscience. Christians are people who say they are Christians and who try to live their lives following Christ's example of love, compassion, wisdom and responsibility.

Christianity is not the only path to God. We seek to build bridges of understanding to other religions. We believe that other religions also may lead to genuine relationships with God.

What is the Bible?

We take the Bible seriously; but its truth is more often found in paradox and metaphor than in a literal reading that assumes the Bible is an internally consistent rule-book.  It was paradoxically written: by human hand and by God through divine inspiration. For us the Bible is:

• A collage of stories telling how ancient people saw relationships to God,
• Inspired truth and wisdom which can guide our lives,
• A story about us and how we answer life's questions today,
• Truth seen through incongruities.

With God's guidance and inspiration, we read the Bible at a deeper than literal level.

God is still speaking

The Word of God does not end with the Bible. Our church is a covenantal community actively listening together for what might yet break forth from "God's Holy Word." God speaks today through the creative expressions of humankind, through the unfolding wonders of nature, and through the supportive and reconciling power of human relationships.

What is Christianity's mission?

Christianity, and indeed all religions, must be instruments of transformation. Together, we must transcend evil, corrupted power, aimlessness, fear and ignorance. We must help all persons discover purpose, well-being and wholeness. In short, we are asked to help God finish the creation.

What does it mean to have dominion over the earth?

We recognize that our world has finite resources. Ifwe foul the air, pollute the water or abuse the earth, all living beings suffer. We use resources knowing that future generations depend upon our stewardship. The fate of the earth is largely in our hands.

Social justice is a Christian responsibility!

We acknowledge that all people are the children of one God and more alike than different. Christians must work to correct injustice.  We affirm the presence of God in every person.  True to Christ's teachings, we joyfully welcome and value all people-as they are. It is not a sin to be gay, straight, old, young, black, brown, handicapped, male, pale, or female. God's hand is in all these things and God does not make junk. Moreover, we must find ways toward a just peace for humankind-socially, politically and economically. We are a church that prays-and works-for peace and equality. We invite you to visit www.ucclongmont.org to learn more about our church and our Peace and Justice Ministry, Whole Earth Ministry, Growth Ministry, Open and Affirming Ministry, and Mental Health Ministry.