Congregationalism is one of several traditions generally considered part of “Mainline” Protestant Christianity. Congregationalism trace its spiritual heritage to the Pilgrims who got off the Mayflower in 1620, risking everything to worship God freely and follow the teachings of Scripture according to the convictions of their own conscience. Today, these are all still key touchstones for us: freedom, Scripture, and individual conscience. Congregationalism’s “Three F’s”—Faith, Freedom, and Fellowship—are cherished ideals at Ozaukee Congregational Church.
Very importantly, like most Congregational churches, OCC has no creed or statement of faith to which one must subscribe in order to be a member. Rather, we find unity around our Covenant, which is a statement of spiritual commitment rather than one of theological conformity. That Covenant is OCC’s “centerpiece,” around which we find unity without required uniformity.
The Covenant of Ozaukee Congregational Church
“We covenant together of our own free will, to love God and to enjoy God forever, to walk in God’s ways, known and to be made known, to study the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, to live and work together in unity and peace, and to care for those whom God has given us to love.”
OCC is a member church of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and the Wisconsin Congregational Association, but both of these memberships are voluntary. In true Congregational tradition, we exercise local church autonomy. OCC exists and governs itself independently. It elects officers and board members annually, make its own decisions and hires its own staff. The only true Head of the church is Christ—not a bishop, synod, conference, or other body.
