FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions - WE'RE GLAD YOU ASKED!
What kind of church is UC Fellowship?
UCF is a church that seeks to imitate Jesus Christ in everything we do. We are not a part of any one denomination. We stick to historic, biblical Christianity and we have people who attend from all kinds of different spiritual and denominational backgrounds and many who have never been to church before. We partner with a few other churches in the Charlotte area (Charlotte Fellowship Network) to begin other new churches and make a global impact in Ethiopia. All our partnerships with other churches and organizations are voluntary associations that we believe are instrumental in helping us become what we could not become as a single church.
How did UCF start?
University City Fellowship held its first Neighborhood Gathering in October of 2000 as the 2nd church plant of what is now called the Charlotte Fellowship Network. Since this time we have started several other churches:
– Charlotte North Fellowship in Huntersville (2001) www.CharlotteNorth.org
– Watershed in Uptown Charlotte (2005) www.WatershedCharlotte.com
What will a service be like?
Our mission begins with the word “challenging.” We work hard to make sure that every Neighborhood Gathering is interesting, creative and relevant to how you live your life. Even though we try to NOT be predictable, a typical Sunday contains music from a high energy band, practical teaching, creative videos and interactive elements all designed to help you in your journey. We encourage you to come and see for yourself and give us some feedback.
What will Sunday morning be like for my kids?
During our Neighborhood Gathering two other gatherings take place that are designed exclusively with your kids in mind.
The Construction Zone is for preschool children (birth - 4) and is a place where your kids will be loved and cared for in a safe environment.
Streetwise is for children K-5 and is an exciting, creative caring place that your child will enjoy.
What about my middle school and high school students?
We have specific communities for middle school and high school students. Both communities have gatherings that are customized to their age group. You can also expect a ton of activities, camps, trips and missional opportunities for you student to enjoy.
Journey middle school community – main weekly gathering happens on Sunday morning at 10:30am during the Neighborhood Gathering for adults and high school.
Immerse high school community – main weekly gathering happens on Wednesday evenings at the UC Studios at 7:00pm
I have never really liked going to church, what makes you think this will be any different?
Most of our church is actually made up of people that asked themselves this question, but took a chance and showed up for a service. In many ways we are less like a church and more like a spiritual community made up of people who are at many different points on their spiritual journey. We call ourselves a community of God-seekers, God-doubters and God-followers, which is a pretty accurate description. Most people’s view of church is a group of people who all believe the exact same thing and have already “arrived” so to speak (or at least think they have). We simply believe that no one ever arrives at fully imitating Jesus so that means we are all companions on the journey. Come on and give it a try and then give us your feedback.
What does “come as you are” mean?
We take this phrase seriously in that we want everyone to come exactly as they are. No one has to clean up, sober up, or put on the mask to hide who they are in order to show up at UC Fellowship. We grieve the fact that we have to explain this because this is how Jesus seemed to interact with others as well. Unfortunately, many of those who call themselves his followers have failed to follow his example. We are sure we don’t do it perfectly either, but that is what we are striving for.
Many times this phrase refers to how much people should dress up or dress down for church. We want you to come as you are – shorts, jeans, khakis, ties, whatever! If you like dressing up … dress up. If you want to come casual … go crazy! We simply know that God doesn’t care about the outside appearance so we don’t either.
What does UCF believe?
Although we are a different type of spiritual community (or church), we are committed to historic, biblical, christian faith. However we view our faith statement as something we are seeking to live out in our daily lives rather than a document that we give lip-service to but don’t allow it to change our lives. So as you read our faith statement, see each of these things as a journey with a person (Jesus) rather than a destination with a set of answers (creeds). Click here to view our faith statement (The UCF DNA) in greater detail.
Is UCF planning on building its own building?
If it is really important to you that you attend a church that has its own building, then UC Fellowship may not be the place for you. We are not saying that we will never have a building, but we place more importance on people living like Jesus out in the world rather than huddling inside our own building. As we think, pray and plan about land and buildings we are seeking to do this in a way that enhances and adds value to our Harrisburg / University City / Concord Mills area rather than simply build something that meets our own needs. After all we exist “for the good of the world.”
How can I stay up-to-date with the latest events at UCF?
For a current calendar of events check out the Events Calendar. To get automatic email updates for specific communities or opportunities at UC Fellowship register on this website. As you register you can select the specific information that you want to receive.
How can I contact the leadership?
Our UCF leadership page contains the names, bios and contact info for most of the leadership at UCF.
What kind of church is UC Fellowship?
UCF is a church that seeks to imitate Jesus Christ in everything we do. We are not a part of any one denomination. We stick to historic, biblical Christianity and we have people who attend from all kinds of different spiritual and denominational backgrounds and many who have never been to church before. We partner with a few other churches in the Charlotte area (Charlotte Fellowship Network) to begin other new churches and make a global impact in Ethiopia. All our partnerships with other churches and organizations are voluntary associations that we believe are instrumental in helping us become what we could not become as a single church.
How did UCF start?
University City Fellowship held its first Neighborhood Gathering in October of 2000 as the 2nd church plant of what is now called the Charlotte Fellowship Network. Since this time we have started several other churches:
– Charlotte North Fellowship in Huntersville (2001) www.CharlotteNorth.org
– Watershed in Uptown Charlotte (2005) www.WatershedCharlotte.com
What will a service be like?
Our mission begins with the word “challenging.” We work hard to make sure that every Neighborhood Gathering is interesting, creative and relevant to how you live your life. Even though we try to NOT be predictable, a typical Sunday contains music from a high energy band, practical teaching, creative videos and interactive elements all designed to help you in your journey. We encourage you to come and see for yourself and give us some feedback.
What will Sunday morning be like for my kids?
During our Neighborhood Gathering two other gatherings take place that are designed exclusively with your kids in mind.
The Construction Zone is for preschool children (birth - 4) and is a place where your kids will be loved and cared for in a safe environment.
Streetwise is for children K-5 and is an exciting, creative caring place that your child will enjoy.
What about my middle school and high school students?
We have specific communities for middle school and high school students. Both communities have gatherings that are customized to their age group. You can also expect a ton of activities, camps, trips and missional opportunities for you student to enjoy.
Journey middle school community – main weekly gathering happens on Sunday morning at 10:30am during the Neighborhood Gathering for adults and high school.
Immerse high school community – main weekly gathering happens on Wednesday evenings at the UC Studios at 7:00pm
I have never really liked going to church, what makes you think this will be any different?
Most of our church is actually made up of people that asked themselves this question, but took a chance and showed up for a service. In many ways we are less like a church and more like a spiritual community made up of people who are at many different points on their spiritual journey. We call ourselves a community of God-seekers, God-doubters and God-followers, which is a pretty accurate description. Most people’s view of church is a group of people who all believe the exact same thing and have already “arrived” so to speak (or at least think they have). We simply believe that no one ever arrives at fully imitating Jesus so that means we are all companions on the journey. Come on and give it a try and then give us your feedback.
What does “come as you are” mean?
We take this phrase seriously in that we want everyone to come exactly as they are. No one has to clean up, sober up, or put on the mask to hide who they are in order to show up at UC Fellowship. We grieve the fact that we have to explain this because this is how Jesus seemed to interact with others as well. Unfortunately, many of those who call themselves his followers have failed to follow his example. We are sure we don’t do it perfectly either, but that is what we are striving for.
Many times this phrase refers to how much people should dress up or dress down for church. We want you to come as you are – shorts, jeans, khakis, ties, whatever! If you like dressing up … dress up. If you want to come casual … go crazy! We simply know that God doesn’t care about the outside appearance so we don’t either.
What does UCF believe?
Although we are a different type of spiritual community (or church), we are committed to historic, biblical, christian faith. However we view our faith statement as something we are seeking to live out in our daily lives rather than a document that we give lip-service to but don’t allow it to change our lives. So as you read our faith statement, see each of these things as a journey with a person (Jesus) rather than a destination with a set of answers (creeds). Click here to view our faith statement (The UCF DNA) in greater detail.
Is UCF planning on building its own building?
If it is really important to you that you attend a church that has its own building, then UC Fellowship may not be the place for you. We are not saying that we will never have a building, but we place more importance on people living like Jesus out in the world rather than huddling inside our own building. As we think, pray and plan about land and buildings we are seeking to do this in a way that enhances and adds value to our Harrisburg / University City / Concord Mills area rather than simply build something that meets our own needs. After all we exist “for the good of the world.”
How can I stay up-to-date with the latest events at UCF?
For a current calendar of events check out the Events Calendar. To get automatic email updates for specific communities or opportunities at UC Fellowship register on this website. As you register you can select the specific information that you want to receive.
How can I contact the leadership?
Our UCF leadership page contains the names, bios and contact info for most of the leadership at UCF.
