Unitarian Christian Alliance

The Unitarian Christian Alliance (UCA) promotes unitarian theology, connects like-minded individuals, and supports those rejecting the Trinity doctrine.

By DAVE JENNINGS

Read Time: 5 minutes

You may have heard of the Unitarian Christian Alliance (UCA) over the past few years. This unique group, formed in 2019, is worth being aware of. 

Here’s how the UCA describes its charter:

The UCA is a network of individuals, churches, parachurch ministries, and Christian denominations, each committed to the truth of the One God. While holding to various beliefs in other areas, UCA members all agree that the God of the Bible is the Father alone and that Jesus is his human Messiah. The mission of the UCA and its growing membership is two-fold: to promote unitarian theology and to connect like-minded believers across the globe.

Our modern Christian world, lost in a sea of confusing and post-biblical traditions about God, desperately needs to hear about the Father and his Son. It also needs communities of faith and fellowship centered around that truth. Though we all come from different backgrounds and may individually belong to different groups, we believe we can accomplish much more for the body of Christ and the cause of truth when we work together. If you can agree with that basic vision and with this simple, biblical statement about God and Jesus (what we call the “UCA Affirmation”), then you belong with us.¹

We believe and proclaim in accordance with the Scriptures that:

• Only the Father of Jesus is the one true God.
• The unique man, Jesus, is his Messiah/Christ.
• God the Father sent Jesus, gave him his message, empowered him, and endorsed him “with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him.”
• Jesus obeyed God, laying down his life so that we can have the hope of resurrection to eternal life.
• God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him to his right hand, making Jesus the one Lord under the one God.

Short version

The one God is the Father alone, and Jesus is his human Messiah, who is now exalted as Lord and Savior.

The UCA represents an expanding global group of believers who attest to this Biblical statement. The UCA has introduced regional meetings, some of which are occurring in the United States, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Some Christadelphians are UCA members (as am I) and have participated in and even presented at these conferences.

There was a time when it seemed we were quite alone with our understanding of God and Jesus Christ. We have been criticized because of this, sometimes persecuted by being summarily dismissed from camps due to our rejection of the Trinity doctrine. It felt especially quite lonely. I am sure you will join me in finding great joy in the fact that many others have come to the same or similar conclusion on this issue. It is, in my view, a great blessing to know we are not alone on this critical topic.

It is important to state that the UCA does not represent a comprehensive set of beliefs outside of the Trinity issue. The group’s charter steps aside from other doctrines where we would find significant differences in our understanding. The function of the UCA is to encourage believers and provide connectivity to those who have often suffered by making difficult decisions to reject the Trinity doctrine.

To this end, the UCA and its members have created wonderful written and video content of the true teachings about God and Jesus. There is also a list of really great books that have been written by UCA members, which are good resources for Christadelphians. 

So, What Does The UCA Mean To Christadelphians? 

First, let’s identify what it does not mean. Many UCA members still hold doctrinal beliefs that we would not find compatible with our fellowship. Some UCA members are isolated and do not have a group to associate with. However, most UCA members are not seeking to join another denomination. Many would prefer to “collaborate” on the critical areas on which we do agree.

In my view, the UCA offers an important opportunity to expand the message of the true Bible teaching about God and Jesus Christ. Already, Christadelphian materials and a few speakers are being widely referenced by UCA members. In a way, the Christadelphian worldwide body is the “big fish” in this small pond of believers. 

Let me provide an example. Over the past year, three people have come to our ecclesia in Simi Hills, CA, through the UCA. One, a young man had come to a correct understanding of God and Jesus after completing Bible college. His newfound belief was anathema to his church, and he found himself unwelcome because of his belief. He discovered the Simi Valley Christadelphians through the UCA. Since then, he has attended that time, he has been to the Idyllwild Bible School and attended countless ecclesial and home Bible classes. He is an outstanding student of the Word, and we are blessed to have an association with him. 

Similarly, another couple (referred to us by the first young man) had to leave their church due to their new understanding of the Father and Son. They had attended a very well-known mega-church for well over fifty years but found themselves dissociated from the church because of their belief. They, too, have begun attending our Bible classes.

In both of the cases above, we do not know whether any of these three will become members of the Christadelphians. We would certainly welcome that. However, we are providing an important service to our Lord by being a group that warmly accepted them when they had nowhere to go. Topics where we have differences will be discussed over time as we grow in our personal relationships with them. In the meantime, we have also learned a lot from them.

I find it unscriptural when we choose to isolate ourselves from those who have doctrinal differences. However, there is an essential important line between this Christian association and our global fellowship practices. We can be helpful, influential, and loving to those who have courageously rejected the Trinity doctrine that has generally branded them as cultish. We know how that feels! However, fellowship is based on alignment with all of the first principles and teachings.

In November, the Simi Hills Ecclesia, CA is pleased to host a global Zoom UCA event. The topic will be, “How Does Our Knowledge of God and Jesus Affect Our Understanding of: The Promises, and the Kingdom of God?” Bro. Richard Morgan of the Simi Hills Ecclesia will be speaking on the impact it has on understanding the Promises of God. Mr. Sean Finnegan, of Living Hope International Ministries in Latham, NY, (also author of Kingdom Journey, see prior article) will be discussing how it affects the way we view the coming Kingdom of God. Please see the back cover of this magazine for the Zoom link and details if you’d like to watch this live broadcast.

If you would like to explore the many free resources of the UCA, I recommend their website, unitarianchristianalliance.com.

Dave Jennings

You are invited to attend an online joint presentation between the Simi Hills Christadelphians (California) and the Unitarian Christian Alliance (UAC) on Saturday, November 9 at 4:30pm Pacific (7:30 Eastern)

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81747337928
Meeting ID: 817 4733 7928