UCC Affiliation
The Office of Spiritual Life

The Office of Spiritual Life

Proud of its heritage, Defiance College freely maintains its covenantal status as a United Church of Christ-related college, independent of church control.

The United Church of Christ supports colleges as part of its
mission to and service for society, with the goal of nurturing men
and women toward wholeness in competence and conscience.
The theology of the United Church of Christ, affirmed by
Defiance College includes:

• a belief in the God-given dignity and worth of each
  person and a deep concern for the development of
  whole persons;
• a recognition of the importance of interpersonal
  relationships and the fostering of growth in a caring
  community;
• a strong advocacy for open intellectual inquiry and
  academic freedom;
• a trust that the truths one discovers in the diverse fields
  of inquiry are ultimately interrelated;
• a positive ecumenical outlook moving beyond tolerance
  and acceptance to understanding and appreciation of
  both religious and cultural diversity;
• a recognition of the privilege and responsibility of
  stewardship, utilization of and respect for the resources
  of the natural world, individuals and institutions;
• service to others as an expression of faith and a way for
  life enrichment and fulfillment;
• the encouragement of critical ethical value formation
  consistent with one’s faith; and
• a holistic view of life which attaches significance and
  worth to all honorable walks of life and human
  endeavors.

Defiance College seeks to fulfill its mission inside and outside the
classroom in ways which integrate the mental, physical, social
and spiritual dimensions of human life.