OUR MISSION
to KNOW GOD by placing Jesus Christ at the center of our lives through worshipping God, studying God’s Word, and responding to God’s call;
to GROW TOGETHER in community by learning together, serving together, and caring for each other;
to LIVE OUT OUR FAITH boldly and generously by pursuing God’s shalom in the world.
WHO WE ARE
Plymouth Church enjoys a rich heritage in the Congregational tradition. That tradition has its roots in the 16th century English Reformation. The earliest settlers of New England, the Pilgrims and Puritans, brought Congregationalism to America. This "Congregational Way" of being the church flourished in America. Featuring simple worship and biblical teaching, Congregational churches have enjoyed a rich history that continues to thrive at Plymouth Church.
Our Congregational Way celebrates the unique presence of Jesus Christ in the life and worship of each congregation. Christ's presence empowers each church to govern its own affairs. At the same time each person in the church is empowered to participate in the decision-making of the congregation.
Our "Way" of being the church is centered in being a covenant community. That means each member is bound to God and to every other member of the community by a solemn vow. The substance of the vow is that we will love, care for and support each other come what may. The source of our covenant is God who, by covenantal oath, is eternally and irrevocably bound to us. Plymouth adapted the Salem (Massachusetts) Covenant of 1629 as our own.
We covenant with the Lord and one with another, and do bind ourselves in the presence of God, to walk together in all His ways, according as He is pleased to reveal Himself unto us in His blessed word of truth.
—Plymouth Covenant
The church has used The Kansas City Statement of Faith as its own since its adoption by the Congregational Christian Churches in 1913. Our Mission Statement was adopted by the Plymouth Council in 2011.
STATEMENT OF WELCOME AND INCLUSION
We welcome all persons, without restrictions, to participate in worship and fellowship at Plymouth. This Statement of Welcome and Inclusion was adopted by the Congregation of Plymouth Church in 2015.
Plymouth Church looks to our faith and our own history to guide us:
Jesus Christ calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Plymouth’s mission statement calls us not only to know God and to grow together, but also to live out our faith boldly and generously.
Plymouth Church has a history and proud legacy of working to promote human rights and dignity.
As a Congregational Church, Plymouth “recognizes as sacred the freedom of individual members, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in matters of conscience pertaining to worship, interpretation of Scripture and doctrine, and the right of private judgment in matters of personal conduct.” (from Plymouth Bylaws)
We recognize, as John Robinson advised the Pilgrims, that “God hath more truth and light to break forth out of His Holy Word.”
Based on these fundamental principles, we affirm the following:
We welcome all persons, without restriction, to participate in worship and fellowship at Plymouth.
Our welcome extends to all, as does Christ’s welcome. We affirm the dignity and worth of all persons, as children of God.
We live in a diverse city, and strive to embrace the diversity in our congregation and our community.
We recognize that being truly welcoming requires not only statements and intention, but conscious and dedicated effort, which must be sustained over time. We pledge to expand and implement our welcome and seek to communicate God’s love.
Membership at Plymouth is open to all who accept the obligations of the Plymouth covenant.
All members, without exception, are eligible to participate to the same extent in all of the sacraments, blessings and benefits of membership, including marriage, and in the full life, programs and governance of the church.
PLYMOUTH BYLAWS
Bylaws are the rules for an organization’s self-governance. Below are Plymouth’s Bylaws: