The
Modern Churchpeople's Union
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MCU - what we believe
We are a mixed bunch of people. We share an open-minded and thoughtful approach to Christian faith. We wish to offer a safe space for people to explore doubts, further their spiritual journey, and take a critical approach to certainties.
We believe that
•genuine faith is committed to the search for truth, wherever it comes from.
•God invites us to do our believing in ways appropriate to the 21st Century.
•We never have absolute certainty. Only God is infallible.
We appeal to a balance of scripture, tradition and reason, recognizing that all three sometimes err. If they did not, truth would be fixed in the past and we would have no potential for discovering anything new and exciting.
We believe in
•open discussion – freedom to explore ideas, ask questions and change our minds without fear of disapproval;
•critical scholarship – keeping up to date with good research, examining the implications of new insights and discoveries; and
•willingness to change – so that what we believe now can be expressed in our doctrines, liturgies and ethics.
We expect liberal theology to engage with society, and be
•public – talking the language of ordinary people, not living apart in a religious club of its own;
Jonathan Clatworthy, MCU General Secretary
MCU Office,9, Westward View, Liverpool, UK L17 7EE
Tel: +44 (0)151 726 9730
Tel: 0845 345 1909
Only Connect:
Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.
Andre Gide (1869 - 1951)
•relevant – making links with what is going on in society, caring about current events and expecting our faith to contribute to our caring;
•respectful – willing to learn from others, within and outside Christianity, since we accept that we don't have all the answers. Genuine faith is committed to the search for truth, wherever it comes from.
The MCU was founded in 1898. At the end of the 19th century the Modernist movement defended new scientific findings – especially evolution – and biblical scholarship, against the rising tide of fundamentalism.We believe that - though the specific issues in debate may change - our approach is needed today as much as ever.
Annual Report 2005-2006 (.pdf file)