Who We Are
Rooted in faith. Progressive in action.
Since our founding in 1908, University Baptist Church has been known as one of Austin’s progressive voices of faith. We are rooted in Christian faith, which insists on the good news of God’s expansive grace and welcome for all people. Our faith propels us to work for justice and peace in the world and in our own hearts, minds, and relationships.
Rooted in Faith.
We listen deeply for God’s call through Scripture, through the Spirit, through our baptist tradition, and in our own personal experience. We look to Scripture not as a blueprint, but as a friend and guide that connects us to our roots and invites us to participate in the story of God’s people as it unfolds. We trust that the Holy Spirit is at work in the world in new ways now, and we do our best to follow her lead. Rooted in historic baptist tradition, we place a high value on freedom - freedom of the local church, freedom of each individual’s soul in relation to God, freedom of the pulpit, and freedom of religion as protected best by the separation of church and state. We create space at UBC for many different expressions and experiences of personal and communal faithfulness.
Progressive in Action.
The church welcomes all persons of any age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, education, nationality, ability or disability, marital or family status. In UBC’s inclusive atmosphere, individuals can find family, families can find community, the injured can find healing, and all can seek truth and peace in a setting of spiritual unity and trust.
Throughout our history, UBC has taken actions that were consistent with our interpretation of the gospel, though sometimes in conflict with the views of the wider religious community and secular society. UBC began accepting Black members into full membership in the 1940s. In the 1950s we added a woman to our ministerial staff. We voted to ordain women as deacons in the 1970s. In the 1990s we ordained UBC’s first openly gay deacon.
UBC is a strong advocate for justice in the Austin community at large. Our ministers and members are active at the Texas State Capitol, testifying before government committees, speaking with state legislators, and participating in rallies and protests. We take seriously our commitment to speaking out and showing up in our community on behalf of racial justice, reproductive freedom, the rights and dignity of those in LGBTQ+ community, gun law reform, and justice for immigrants and refugees, among other things. We work for justice in our city through our Refugee Assistance Ministry (currently helping resettle three families from Afghanistan), through hosting God’s Family Dinner (a weekly dinner for food insecure neighbors), and by participating in interfaith and ecumenical dialogue and partnerships.
University Baptist Church is affiliated with the American Baptist Church, the Alliance of Baptists, and the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists.
