Who We Are
University Church of Christ is part of the history of Abilene, and our story goes back more than a century. Our name comes from our proximity to the campus of Abilene Christian University just across the street, and we have many strong ties with ACU. We are thankful for our heritage in Churches of Christ and our roots in the American Restoration Movement.
However, we are more than our past. Though we are proud of where we have been, we are also glad to talk about where we want to go. If you visit UCC, you will discover a group of Christians from various backgrounds who are seeking to follow Jesus faithfully in this generation. Our membership is diverse including business and professional people, young families, students, teachers, farmers, youth and senior adults.
Our church family includes different races, different first languages, different levels of education and socio-economic backgrounds. We value these many differences but most of all we value the truth that unites us is the common Lordship of Jesus Christ. We are all sinners who need his forgiveness.
Because we proclaim Jesus as Lord, we also share a sense of his mission to the world around us, both globally and right here in Abilene. People everywhere need the life-changing message of God. We believe the gospel of Christ is far too powerful to leave any of us the way it finds us. We invite you to come join us as we seek the great purposes of God for his creation.
What to Expect
Welcome to University Church of Christ (UCC). As our guest, we want you to know something about us before you visit, to help you feel more at home here.
When You Arrive
Bible classes on Sundays begin at 9 a.m., with classes for children, teens, university students and adults. Our nursery is ready to receive children from birth through 24 months. Our worship begins at 10 a.m. and usually ends about 11:15 a.m. We are located at 733 E.N. 16th Street, directly across the street from the campus of Abilene Christian University (see map here).
You will be met in the parking lot by parking attendants who will greet you, direct you to guest parking and answer any questions you might have. Follow their directions or our signage, and you should have no trouble locating classes or our auditorium where we gather for worship.
Assemblies and Worship
We gather to encourage one another and praise God. We love each other, but we are not here to impress each other, and we are not all alike. When you come to UCC, you will see all kinds of people. You may see some dressed in t-shirts and jeans, others in suits and ties or dresses. Come as you are. We are not worried about where you come from or how you dress, just that you are here.
If you are familiar with Churches of Christ, you may think we are somewhat typical of our heritage. Our worship is simple but meaningful. We pray, read Scripture, hear a message or sermon, sing without instruments and share the Lord’s Supper every week. We ask our own members, but never visitors, to offer financial gifts to support our many ministries. We will not embarrass you or do anything intentionally to make you uncomfortable.
Please Join Us
If you are new to Abilene or are looking for a place to serve and put down substantial spiritual roots, we hope you will find a church home here at University. Please join us next Sunday and give us a chance to get to know you!
What We Believe
We believe in the only true and living God, creator of everything. We believe God revealed himself in the history of Israel and the person of his Son, Jesus of Nazareth. We believe Jesus was crucified on a Roman cross, but through his resurrection the Father confirmed him to be the true Messiah (Christ) of prophecy. He is now exalted at the right hand of God.
In unity with Christians across space and time, we believe and proclaim this biblical story as good news or “gospel.” We believe that Scripture is trustworthy and inspired by God to tell us what we need to know.
Through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, God is putting all of his broken creation back together. In the gift of his Son and his indwelling Holy Spirit – given to believers by grace through faith in baptism (water immersion) – God created a new community, the church, the body of Christ.
As members of God’s kingdom, we are called into his great mission to set right everything that is so wrong. We confess we are part of the problem, sinners living in total need of God’s forgiveness. But we believe God’s Spirit is changing us daily into the image of Christ. So we strive to walk by faith, to serve others, to love God and glorify him in worship.
As for the future, Jesus is Lord, so we do not fear death. We believe Christ will return one day to bring God’s final justice to all things. We live in hope for his new creation where we will be raised up with new bodies to know God fully, face to face, as it was meant to be.
We invite you to join us in living and proclaiming this good news.