Our Mission, Vision & Beliefs

Rooted in Love. Committed to Justice. Welcoming to All.

Our Mission Statement

First Congregational Church of Bakersfield is an inclusive Christian community—

celebrating diversity, encouraging spiritual growth, and demonstrating God's love through service.

Our Mission

A diverse group of FCC Bakersfield choir members singing during worship in front of the Easter-decorated altar, symbolizing unity and joyful service.
Families and children enjoying games and activities in the courtyard at FCC Bakersfield’s 2025 Easter Sunday celebration.

Who We Are as a Church

We are a church of seekers, questioners, and believers walking different paths, but grounded in love.
We welcome people of every:

  • age, race, and ethnicity

  • gender identity and sexual orientation

  • family structure and economic reality

  • physical ability and mental health status

  • educational and faith background

We don’t all think alike. That’s not the point.
We practice loving respect, even when we see things differently. That’s part of what makes us strong.

We Are a Welcoming, Open-Minded Community

FCC Bakersfield members gathered around a table decorating Christmas ornaments during the 2024 holiday craft event in Plymouth Hall.
Congregants and community members gathered in FCC Bakersfield’s courtyard for the 2024 Blessing of the Animals service, including music, pets, and prayer.

Where We’re Headed

Our Vision

We welcome all who desire to participate in this nurturing community.
We’re on an exciting journey of faith toward greater love, understanding, and mutual respect.
Together, we:

  • Support one another in spiritual growth

  • Stand for justice in Bakersfield and beyond

  • Serve the needs of our neighbors—locally and globally

Some of us are just beginning our faith journey. Some have walked this road for decades.
Wherever you are—you’re welcome here.

FCC Bakersfield volunteer smiling at the church’s Pride 2024 booth, surrounded by UCC banners and rainbow flags celebrating inclusion and justice
FCC Bakersfield members, including clergy, standing with community demonstrators at the 2025 No Kings protest in downtown Bakersfield, holding signs and flags in support of democracy and justice.

What We Believe

Our Beliefs as a United Church of Christ Congregation

FCC Bakersfield is a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC)—
a progressive, mainline Protestant denomination that values:

  • Extravagant Welcome – “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

  • Continuing Testimony – God is still speaking. We value scripture and tradition, but we also listen for God’s voice in today’s world.

  • Unity in Diversity – We may not believe exactly the same things, but we are united in Christ’s love.

  • A Just World for All – We strive to embody the words of Jesus in Matthew 25: feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, and caring for the least of these.

We are guided by Jesus’s teachings of compassion, grace, and radical inclusion.

What Kind of Church Are We?

We are not dogmatic.
We follow Christ-centered, Spirit-led teachings that honor scripture and engage reason, tradition, and personal experience.

We believe:

  • Faith is a journey, not a set of answers.

  • Doubt is not a weakness—it’s part of an honest faith.

  • Church should be a place of healing, hope, and belonging.

We observe Communion monthly, baptize children and adults, and affirm each person’s direct connection to God.

What Kind of Doctrine We Follow

Black and white photo of First Congregational Church of Bakersfield in 1954, showing the newly constructed sanctuary and early congregants gathering outside.
Front view of the sanctuary at First Congregational Church of Bakersfield, California, showing the distinctive cross design on the facade and surrounding greenery.