Full Communion with the United Church of Christ

Christian unity · Full communion

A covenant of shared life and mission since 1989.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ entered into full communion in 1989, affirming mutual recognition of their sacraments and ordained ministries. The partnership calls the churches to grow together in worship, ministry, and service.

Two distinct churches, a deepening relationship

Each church retains its own identity while seeking opportunities for common ministry and a stronger shared witness to the gospel.

Living into full communion

The agreement expresses the churches’ commitment to recognize one another’s gifts and seek common ministry wherever working together strengthens the mission of the Church.

This relationship finds expression through:

Mutual recognition of sacraments and ordained ministries.
Congregations with affiliations to both denominations.
Ministers serving congregations across the two church traditions.
Shared mission and continuing opportunities for worship, learning, and service.

Learn about our full communion relationships

A common witness through Global Ministries

Global Ministries brings the Disciples and the United Church of Christ together in international mission. Through this partnership, Disciples Overseas Ministries and the UCC share staff, resources, programs, and governance in their relationships with partners around the world.

This common witness includes mutual learning, advocacy, sharing resources, and prayer with and for international partners.

Explore Global Ministries

Symbols of our partnership

Ecumenical partnership · 1989

Joined by an anchor of hope

The symbol brings the Disciples chalice and elements of the United Church of Christ emblem together through an anchor, an ancient sign of Christian hope.

The chalice points to the centrality of the Lord’s Supper in Disciples life and worship.
The cross of St. Andrew recalls the Disciples movement’s Presbyterian and Scottish roots.
The cross, crown, and orb express the sovereignty of the risen Christ over the world. The orb’s three divisions recall the widening witness described in Acts 1:8.
The UCC emblem’s prayer for unity recalls Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21 and the UCC’s identity as a united and uniting church.
The anchor recalls the hope described in Hebrews 6:19 and points to a partnership grounded in God’s promises.

25th anniversary · 2014

Celebrating a continuing covenant

The partnership’s 25th-anniversary logo.

This logo was created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the full communion relationship. It marks a continuing commitment to deepen the churches’ shared life and witness.