Unitarian Christian Church of America
We warmly welcome you to the UCCA. We believe we are a “faith whose time has come, indeed a faith for today.” Our aim is not to impose a specific belief but to unite with others to promote, educate, and improve a “way of living” in harmony and peace with everyone.
The world we live in is not what God intended for it to be. The old ways no longer work, nor are they relevant; it is time for an “awakening.” Our spiritual needs are unmet as we have evolved, creating a growing spiritual and moral void that must be addressed.
We invite you to join us in becoming the revival that awakens humanity into the next century and beyond. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. The time is right, the need is clear, and the answer is waiting.
"First, liberty, freedom of the individual to think, think as he will or think as he must; but not liberty for the sake of itself. Liberty for the sake of finding the truth"
- Minot J. Savage, Our Unitarian Gospel (p. 9).
A Message for Today's World
We sincerely hope you'll find a comfortable and welcoming environment and new home here with us. When we come together, our goal is not to impose personal faith or judge honest individual differences. Instead, we strive to unite through our love for God and to live in truth, peace, and love for all humankind and all of God’s creation.
As our Platform may be unfamiliar to you, we invite you to take this opportunity to learn more about who we are and what we believe. The UCCA is genuinely committed to a “faith whose time has come, indeed, a faith for today.”
We welcome everyone who chooses to participate in living our Platform. Those who actively practice our Universal Principle embodied within our Foundational Beliefs and to the best of their abilities, live the faith we share as a way of life, not just a statement made when convenient or appropriate.
Our Purpose:
Our Church is centered in our “Universal Principle”, thus, the UCCA declares and proclaims: “There is only one God, creator and sustainer of all existence, giver of life to all that lives. As God’s creation, we are to love and honor our God with every ounce of our being. When we purport to behave in a manner consistent with that belief, it is manifested by the unconditional love we have for, and the compassion we demonstrate to, all humankind and all creation.”
(Ref. Gospel of Mark 12:28-34)
Our Mission:
It is intended that the UCCA will become a common gathering place and a source of information, inspiration, and support for those who are considering or choose to become modern-day Unitarian Christians.
THE LIGHT YOKE
March 8, 2026
“They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others, but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.” – Matthew 23:4
In many churches today, people carry complicated histories with religion. Some grew up hearing sermons about sin, judgment, and the fear of hell. Others were taught that salvation depended on believing the correct doctrines or following the right rituals or theological formula. Still others were told that disagreement with teachings placed them firmly outside the community of faith or even outside the very graces of God.
Because of these experiences, the modern Unitarian Christian perspective has often stepped away from traditional religious language such as repentance, salvation, redemption, saving grace, heaven, hell, justification, sanctification, and the afterlife.
This shift did not happen because such ideas are necessarily meaningless. For many Christians, these concepts remain rich and spiritually important ways of thinking about transformation, forgiveness, and hope.
Rather, the hesitation often comes from the way these ideas have sometimes been used. When doctrines become tools for judging others, dividing communities, or exerting control, something of the spirit of the Gospel is lost.
Jesus warned about this danger. In a sharp criticism of some contemporary religious leaders, he says that they “tie up heavy burdens” and place them on the shoulders of others. Faith becomes distorted when it turns into a system of expectations that weighs people down rather than lifting them up.
Jesus offered a very different vision of spiritual life. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).
The invitation of Jesus is not to carry a heavier religious load, but to enter into a way of life shaped by humility, compassion, and trust in God. Jesus’ way is educational. “Learn from me,” he said. Learning, growing, and becoming more “gentle and humble in heart” is the responsibility we have. It’s a stark contrast from the endless strict requirements Jesus called “hard to bear.”
Jesus further criticized burdensome religion soon afterwards, warning that religious leaders can sometimes “lock people out of the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 23:13). This language is not about a faraway land in a faraway time, but much closer to home. The kingdom of heaven, in Jesus’ teaching, is a way of living under the guidance of God and in God’s presence here and now.
When faith becomes dominated by fear, control, or rigid requirements, it can close people off from that life, rather than opening them toward it.
For this reason, many Unitarian Christians approach theological concepts with greater humility and openness. Some explore ideas like repentance, redemption, and grace as meaningful ways to reflect on personal growth. Others find different language that speaks more clearly to their own spiritual experiences.
What matters most is not that every person uses the same vocabulary, but that our spiritual lives lead us toward the qualities Jesus consistently lifted up: love of neighbor, mercy, humility, and walking humbly with God.
The teachings of Jesus were never meant to become weights that burden others.
They were meant to help us walk more freely in love.
“Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path.” – Psalm 27:11
Rev. Brian J. Kelley
Executive Pastor, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnitarianChristian/
