What We Believe

"The union of Christians with the apostles' testimony is all-sufficient and alone sufficient to the conversation of the world." --Alexander Campbell

Disciples Affirm

Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God and offers saving grace to all.

All people are God's children.

Practices

Open Communion

The Lord's Supper, or Communion,

is celebrated in weekly worship.

It is open to all who believe in

Jesus Christ.

Freedom of Belief

Disciples are called together around belief

in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Persons are free to follow their consciences

guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit, study and prayer, and are expected to extend that freedom to others.

We hold the centrality of Scripture,

recognizing that each person has the

freedom--and responsiblity--to study God's Word within the community of the church.

Baptism by Immersion

In baptism the old, self-centered life is set aside,

and a new life of trust in God begins.

Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion,

other baptism traditions are honored.

Belief in the Oneness of the Church

All Christians are called to be one in Christ

and to find ways to work together in showing

God's love through witness and service.

We hear a special calling to make visible

the unity of all Christians.

In our diversity we belong to one another

because we commonly belong to Christ.

The Ministry of All Believers

Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship,

service and spiritual growth.

We affirm the priesthood of all believers,

rejoicing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit--

which include the gift of leadership

--that God has given for the common good.

Preamble to The Design for the Christian Church (DOC)

As members of the Christian Church, WE confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God,

and proclaim Him Lord and Savior of the world.

In Christ's name and by His grace we accept our mission of witness and service to all people.

We rejoice in God, Maker of heaven and earth,

and in the covenant of love which binds us

to God and one another.

Through baptism into Christ

we enter into newness of life

and are made one with the whole people of God.

In the communion of the Holy Spirit

we are joined together in discipleship

and in obedience to Christ.

At the table of the Lord

we celebrate with thanksgiving

the saving acts and presence of Christ.

Within the universal church

we receive the gift of ministry and the light of Scripture.

In the bonds of Christian faith

we yield ourselves to God that we may serve

the One whose kingdom has no end.

Blessing, glory and honor be to God forever. Amen.

Disciples of Christ Vision

TRUE COMMUNITY
Although each Disciples congregation has
its own personality, all have members
who care for each other, opportunities to grow
and learn, and ways to serve others.
In Disciple congregations, study and fellowship groups offer opportunities to ask honest questions,
share opinions, and discover ways to grow in faith.

DEEP CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY
Disciples encourage one another
in the spiritual disciplines that open us
to being shaped by God, such as prayer, Bible study, worship, stewardship, service,
and hospitality to strangers.

A PASSION FOR JUSTICE
We work in our communities to make a difference, whether through feeding the hungry
or advocating for fairness. We "get dirty for Jesus," bringing hope after disasters.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
is committed to becoming a pro-reconciling,
anti-racist church.

The Chalice

The chalice symbolizes the central place of
communion in worship. The x-shaped cross
of the disciple Andrew is a reminder of the
ministry of each person and importance
of evangelism.

The Table Is Open

That means that all are invited to respond

to Christ's invitation to draw closer to God

around the communion table no matter

where you come from, what you've done,

or who you are. All are welcome.

For Disciples, the open Table is a powerful symbol

of our deep commitment to Christian unity.

The open Table honors diversity

even as it celebrates unity in Christ.

Disciples congregations celebrate

the Lord's Supper every Sunday.

The Table is not only at the center of worship

in our congregations, it is at the center

of who we are as the Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ).

We don't stay at the Table.

We move out into the world to fulfill our mission,

to be and share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving, and serving from our doorstep

to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

We believe that God is calling the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

to be a faithful, growing church

that demonstrates true community,

deep Christian spirituality, and a passion for justice. (Micah 6:8)

Want to learn more?

Download our full statement of faith

DOC-Statement-of-Faith.pdf

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