General Synod
of the United Church of Christ

Related Web Pages:
     United Church of Christ General Synod web page

     Christ Church's 27th General Synod web page
     Christ Church's 26th General Synod web page
     Christ Church's 25th General Synod web page

Overview:
     The General Synod of the United Church of Christ (UCC) meets every other year, beginning with the formation of the United Church of Christ from the merger of two denominations in 1957. 

     The General Synod is composed of delegates from the 39 Conferences of the United Church of Christ.  The number of delegates is based on the number of members within each conference.  The selection of the delegates are based on balancing of age, gender, lay/clergy, and ethnicity, in order to help make the General Synod a greater reflection of the wider church.

  In the UCC we have what is called a "Covenantal Polity," which means that our church governance is one that is based on relationship rather than hierarchy.  The General Synod speaks to the UCC and not for the UCC.  As churches in covenant with one another, actions by, or decisions and advice emanating from the General Synod, Conference, or Association are to be held in the highest regard by a local UCC church.  The ascertions made by the General Synod may or may not reflect the beliefs and practices of a local congregation.  To understand the powers and composition of the General Synod you can go to the following link for the Consitution and ByLaws of the United Church of Christ, or the following link for the UCC General Synod Home Page.

Upcoming and Past General Synods: 

     The next General Synod is the 27th General Synod, to be held in 2009.

     The current General Synod is the 26th General Synod, and is being held at the Civic Center in Hartford, CT from June 22 - June 26, 2007.  We are celebrating the UCC's 50th Anniversary.   You can view the 26th General Synod live through the UCC Webstreaming Feature.

     The previous General Synod was the 25th General Synod held in Atlanta, Georgia from July 1 - July 5, 2005.  This link is for The Official Minutes of the 25th General Synod. 

     The 24th General Synod was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota from July 11 - July 15, 2003.  This link is for The Official Minutes of the 24th General Synod.

     The 23rd General Synod was held in Kansas City, Missouri from July 13 - July 17, 2001.  This link is for The Official Minutes of the 23rd General Synod.

     The 22nd General Synod was held in Providence, Rhode Island from July 1 - July 6, 1999.  This link is for The Official Minutes of the 22nd General Synod.

     To open some of the above links you may need Adobe Acrobat Reader.  This link can be used for a Free Version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader.