We're a Seeker's Church
Our mission statement says: "We reflect and draw upon a
Baptist tradition and seek insights from faith traditions
of the world." Being a Seeker's Church is part of our
journey with Jesus who promises, according to Matthew 7.7:
"Seek and you will find, knock and the door will be
opened to you."
It is also at the root of our heritage since Roger
Williams, the founder of the First Baptist Church in
America, eventually identified himself not as a Baptist but
as a "seeker." His commitment to soul liberty made him an
early advocate for authentic and integrated spirituality.
You will hear this echoed in our openness to other faith
traditions, in our deep questions of ourselves and
Scripture, and in our commitment to listen and grow.
"Seek", Jesus says, and that Spirit is at work
here.
We are a Sanctuary
"Sanctuary" at UBC is not just a place - that big
room with pews and a pulpit. Sanctuary is our way of being
together in the world. As the second church in the United
States to declare "sanctuary" for Central
Americans during the violence of the 1980's, UBC became
conscious of its role to both provide a safe place and to
speak out against the forces of oppression and violence in
the world. Folks here talk about those sanctuary days as a
time of great struggle and strength. Again, those voices
are echoed in our mission statement: "Christ calls us
to; offer sanctuary and resources to those who are poor,
powerless or in need; [to] work for peace, compassion and
justice."
Sanctuary has echoed in many commitments here: welcome to
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people; support for
conscientious objectors; a kitchen for hungry folks; a
haven for women in transition from shelters to permanent
housing; and safe and affordable childcare for children
from a diversity of families and ethnicities. It all sounds
like "sanctuary" after awhile. Sanctuary is, in
that sense, a place - this whole place - filled with a
commitment to welcome and witness. Don't be surprised if
you are confused by the word when it is used here. It
reverberates all over the place.
Spirituality and Social Activism
The spiritual life of University Baptist Church has feet -
and sometimes they dance in worship. Sometimes they head
off to meet "the challenges of contemporary moral and
spiritual life", as the mission statement says.
Sometimes it is the pitter-patter of little feet leading us
in intergenerational activities. Often, it is the sound of
people moved to nurture and serve one another. It is the
sound that echoes the words of Jesus to "go into all
the world." Led by our vision statement to "be a
compassionate Christian community inviting people into
faithful discipleship," we seek always to journey
in hope.
About our Pastor: Rev. Timothy Phillips
The Rev. Timothy Phillips has been the pastor of University
Baptist Church since 1996. After completing his
undergraduate degree at Grand Rapids Baptist College in
1979, he began graduate work in religion at the University
of Chicago Divinity School in 1980 and was ordained in
1981. He later completed a Masters of Divinity degree at
Chicago Theological Seminary and the certificate program in
Pastoral Leadership at Seattle University.
Tim served congregations in Michigan and Illinois, and was
the Director of Admissions for Chicago Theological Seminary
before coming to Seattle. For a decade, he was on the
national council of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists and
wrote a study guide on sexual orientation and faith,
Does It Matter? He continues to work in
ecumenical, academic, and social organizations on behalf of
justice and peace, and currently serves on the board of the
Institute for Ecumenical Theological Study at Seattle
University's School of Theology and Ministry.
Tim wrestles with scripture, believing that it still holds
a blessing for those who commit to struggle with it. He
loves Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of a "Beloved
Community" and believes that the church is called to
see it and be it. And he loves movies and music -- and
wishes he could dance.