The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a Christian denomination that is known for its slogan, “God is Still Speaking!” This slogan is more than just a catchy phrase; it reflects a deep theological conviction that the UCC holds about the nature of God and the ongoing revelation of God’s will in the world. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning of this slogan and its significance for the UCC and for Christians more broadly.
At its core, the slogan “God is Still Speaking!” affirms the belief that God’s revelation is not limited to a single moment or a single text, but is ongoing and ever-expanding. This belief is based on the idea that God is a living, active presence in the world, and that God continues to reveal God’s self to humanity in new and surprising ways. As the UCC website puts it, “Our faith is 2,000 years old, but our thinking is not.”
This belief in ongoing revelation has a number of implications for the UCC and its approach to theology and practice. For one, it means that the UCC is committed to being an open and inclusive church that welcomes people of all backgrounds and experiences. Because God is still speaking, the UCC believes that there is always more to learn and discover about God and God’s will, and that everyone has something to contribute to that ongoing conversation.
Another implication of the belief in ongoing revelation is that the UCC is committed to social justice and activism. Because God is still speaking, the UCC believes that God’s will for the world is not static, but is constantly evolving in response to the changing needs and realities of human beings. This means that the UCC is always seeking to discern where God is at work in the world, and to join in that work in whatever ways it can.
The slogan “God is Still Speaking!” also has important implications for Christians more broadly. It challenges us to move beyond our own narrow understandings of God and to be open to the ways in which God is at work in the world around us. It invites us to be active participants in the ongoing conversation between God and humanity, rather than passive recipients of a fixed set of beliefs or doctrines. And it reminds us that our faith is not something that we possess, but something that we participate in and are continually being called into.
In conclusion, the UCC’s slogan “God is Still Speaking!” is a powerful statement of the denomination’s commitment to ongoing revelation and to being an open, inclusive, and socially engaged church. It challenges us to be open to the ways in which God is at work in the world around us, and to be active participants in the ongoing conversation between God and humanity. As Christians, may we all strive to listen for God’s still-speaking voice and to join in God’s work in the world.
