Organization and Governance

Members, guided by the Holy Spirit, are free to believe and act in accordance with their perception of God’s will for their lives. They are called to live in loving, covenantal relationship with one another — gathered in local communities of faith called churches.

Local Churches are self-governing, own their property and select and dismiss their pastoral leadership. Each church is free to act in accordance with the collective decision of its members, guided by the working of the Holy Spirit in light of the Scriptures. Churches are also called to live in covenantal relationship with other congregations for the sharing of insights and cooperative action. In Massachusetts there are 411 local churches.

Associations are composed of all local churches within a geographical area plus all clergy and other authorized ministers therein. Associations admit new congregations to the fellowship; they confer and remove the authorization for ministry (standing) for clergy and others. Associations have periodic meetings and elect officers and committees to carry on their work. In Massachusetts, there are eleven Associations: Andover, Barnstable, Berkshire, Central, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Metropolitan Boston, Old Colony, and Pilgrim.

Conferences include a number of Associations and all the churches and authorized ministers within their borders. Conferences exist to foster: mutual assistance among churches; discussion of common concerns: the development of new or renewed congregations; the support of joint mission efforts in state and beyond.

Through its regionally-deployed staff and over 150 elected volunteer leaders, the Massachusetts Conference provides counsel, programs and resources to its churches. These include many areas of church life including pastoral placement, Christian Education, Stewardship Education, Evangelism, Christian Social Action, and Mission opportunities.

Each year, the Massachusetts Conference has an Annual Meeting which elects leadership, authorizes expenses, and discusses common concerns. The chief elected leader of the Conference is the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Minister and President. There is a Board of Directors, a Nominating Committee, an Annual Meeting Planning Committee and seven program commissions.

General Synod and the Covenanted Ministries of the United Church of Christ carry out the work of the wider church. Elected delegates for the 39 Conferences meet every other year at the denomination's General Synod. This deliberative body takes many actions including electing leadership, and witnessing to the church and the world on matters of Christian conviction. The General Synod approves a biennial budget that supports the work of national mission agencies and program offices. Mission personnel serve in over 60 countries.