At St. Matthew United Church of Christ, we believe faith is a journey rather than a test with only one set of approved answers. We are a progressive Christian church in Wheaton, Illinois, where people can grow closer to God, follow the way of Jesus, ask honest questions, and build meaningful relationships. Whether you have been part of a church your entire life, are returning after time away, have been hurt by religion, or are still deciding what you believe, you are welcome here.

We Believe in the Way of Jesus

Jesus is at the center of our faith. We believe his life and teachings reveal the heart of God and show us how to live with greater compassion, courage, generosity, and hope. Jesus welcomed people who had been overlooked, challenged religious hypocrisy, stood with those pushed to the margins, and invited everyone into a more abundant life.

Following Jesus means more than accepting a collection of religious ideas. It means learning to love our neighbors, care for people in need, seek justice, practice forgiveness, and recognize the sacred worth of every person. We do not always follow that path perfectly, but we travel it together.

We Believe in a Living and Growing Faith

St. Matthew UCC stands within the historic Christian tradition while recognizing that sincere and faithful people may understand parts of that tradition differently. We worship God, follow Jesus Christ, and remain open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. We value the Bible, prayer, worship, communion, community, service, and the wisdom passed down through generations of Christian faith.

We also believe that faith should continue to grow. The United Church of Christ often reminds us that “God is still speaking.” We therefore make room for new understanding, thoughtful interpretation, scientific knowledge, personal experience, and the questions that arise as we seek to live faithfully in today’s world.

We Believe the Bible Should Be Read Through the Lens of Jesus

We take the Bible seriously without believing that every passage must be understood in exactly the same way. Scripture was written across many centuries, cultures, and historical circumstances. Faithful reading requires prayer, study, humility, and an awareness of context.

Most importantly, we interpret the Bible through the life and character of Jesus. When Scripture has been used to produce fear, exclusion, inequality, or harm, we return to the compassion, mercy, justice, and love revealed in Christ. We believe the purpose of the Bible is not to provide weapons for judging others, but to draw us more deeply into relationship with God and one another.

We Believe God’s Love Changes Lives

We believe every person is loved by God—not because they have earned that love, mastered a particular doctrine, or lived a perfect life, but because love is at the heart of who God is. God’s grace meets us in our joy, uncertainty, grief, failure, and hope.

Experiencing that love can help us become more fully ourselves. It can free us from shame, give us strength for life’s challenges, and inspire us to extend compassion to others. At St. Matthew, we seek to be a community where people can experience God’s love through worship, friendship, service, prayer, and genuine human connection.

We Believe There Is Room for Questions and Doubts

Questions are not the enemy of faith. They are often how faith becomes deeper, more honest, and more mature. You do not have to leave your intellect, experiences, or uncertainties at the door when you come to St. Matthew.

We welcome people who are reconsidering beliefs they were taught, rebuilding faith after being hurt by religion, or exploring Christianity for the first time. We may not always arrive at the same answers, but we can listen to one another, learn together, and remain united in love.

We Believe in the Full Equality of Women and People of Every Gender

We believe people of every gender are equally created in the image of God and should be able to use their gifts fully in the church, workplace, home, and community. Women and people of all gender identities are welcomed into every level of ministry, pastoral leadership, teaching, decision-making, and service at St. Matthew UCC.

As the Apostle Paul wrote, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” We believe the church is strongest when every person’s voice, wisdom, leadership, and calling are honored.

We Believe LGBTQ+ People Are Beloved by God

St. Matthew is an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. This means we do more than simply welcome LGBTQIA+ people. We celebrate, affirm, and include people of every sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in the full life and leadership of our church.

We recognize that many LGBTQ+ people and their families have been deeply hurt by churches and religious teachings. We seek to be a safe and affirming Christian community where healing is possible, relationships are honored, marriages are celebrated, and every person is treated with dignity. For anyone searching for an LGBTQ+ affirming church in Wheaton or DuPage County, there is a place for you at St. Matthew.

We Believe Faith Calls Us to Seek Justice

The love Jesus taught is both personal and public. It calls us to feed people who are hungry, welcome immigrants and refugees, confront racism, care for creation, support people experiencing poverty, protect human dignity, and work toward a more just and peaceful world.

We believe people of faith should bring hope rather than fear, healing rather than division, and compassion rather than condemnation into our community. We will not always agree on every issue, but we seek to follow Jesus by standing with people who are vulnerable and by working for the well-being of all.

We Believe in Joy, Hope, and Community

Life includes loss, uncertainty, and difficult seasons, but we believe sorrow does not have the final word. God meets us in both celebration and struggle, often through the people who walk beside us. Worship, music, laughter, friendship, shared meals, service, and prayer remind us that we do not face life alone.

At St. Matthew UCC, we are building a community grounded in the love of God, the way of Jesus, and the belief that everyone has value. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.