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What
is Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)?
The Church's name tells us a lot about the church:
Christian Church shows that members
have a common bond with the church universal. Disciples of Christ
identifies
members as a distinctive body within the church
universal.
The church stands for:
-
Christian
faith ~ a personal relationship with Christ, whose
life and ministry reveal God's will.
-
Christian
Unity ~
helping each other; working , worshiping, growing together
in the way of the gospel
Local names may be used by some congregations; such as,
"First Christian Church," "Hometown
Christian."
Membership
in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) means...
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In
Worship
Prayer and
devotion are a Christian's greatest source of
strength. There are no set doctrines or uniform
rules, so each person can find the methods that suit him
or her the best. |
In
Service
God has given
each Christian unique gifts and talents. The church
offers many and varied opportunities to put them to use
locally, nationally, and worldwide. |
In
Fellowship
Church
members join together in many ways---sharing each other's
joys and sorrows; helping each other follow Christ's way
in every area of daily life. |
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The
Story of the Christian Church (DoC)
In frontier America, the desire
for freedom that led to the American Revolution was also felt in
religion.
American settlers searched for
simplicity and unity. Many Americans wished to reform
existing denominations and to unify them into one Christian
Church based on a simple New Testament faith.
They hoped for a new approach to
religion that would free them from European church structures,
which didn't meet America's needs.
The Christian
Church (DOC) was born out of this search! Freedom
and Practicality
Frontier people lived by their own ingenuity. They wanted
practical, down-to-earth religion to help them cope with and
understand a hard life. As individuals, they felt
they could read and interpret the Bible for themselves and build
faith on reason. The
Beginning of the Church
| 1804--
Presbyterian
minister Barton W. Stone and several followers broke
their denominational ties to enter into unity with
"the body of Christ at large." They
simply called themselves "Christians."
1811--
A group led by Presbyterian minister Thomas Campbell and
his son Alexander, began meeting independently, saying
the church of Jesus Christ was one, open to all.
1820--
Alexander Campbell began public debates which, along
with his writing, propelled him into leadership of the
"Disciples of Christ." |
1832--
The "Christians" and the "Disciples of
Christ" joined together with a formal
handshake. They agreed on basic beliefs and aims.
1840--
Alexander Campbell started Bethany College in West
Virginia.
1849--
First national convention held in Cincinnati and
missionary society organized. |
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Today...
The
Christian Church (DOC) is one of the LARGEST Churches
founded on American soil. More than 1.1 million
members in nearly 4,300 congregations across the U.S. and
Canada. |
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What
do the Disciples BELIEVE?
It's
hard to be specific since they stress freedom and diversity
-- but most do share these basic beliefs.
-
The
Bible
Disciples have
always stressed
~OPENNESS to
Christ and the Gospel (translate ~ NO DOGMA!).
~REBIRTH of the values found in the New Testament
accounts of the
early church.
-
God
~ revealed in many ways, mainly through Jesus. No set
beliefs about God ~ all experience the deity differently.
-
Christ
~ the
Child of God, part of God's own divinity; the Child of Man
and Woman, living on earth as human, our Savior, with us
always.
-
Public
Confession
~ of
belief in Christ and repentance of sins; acceptance of Jesus
into our lives.
-
Unity
~ of all
Christians in love of Christ. Doctrines and human
differences should not be allowed to divide believers from
each other.
-
Inclusive
Ministry
~ in
the life and work of the church. ALL members are
"ministers" -- entitled to interpret the
Scriptures and perform church functions.
-
The
ORDINANCES of the Gospel
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the
two ordinances of the church
~instituted by Jesus himself |
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Baptism
~
an act by which a believer enters into the church
universal.
Baptism
is
-
for
mature individuals who are old enough to make
their own decisions.
-
by
immersion in water -- the accepted New
Testament practice.
-
a
public confession of faith in Jesus Christ and
commitment to discipleship.
-
symbolic
of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and of
faith in life to come.
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The
Lord's Supper
(Communion)
~
the heart of worship.
Celebrated
in
-
remembrance
of Christ and Christ's life on earth.
-
fellowship
-- drawing the congregation closer together.
-
thanksgiving
for forgiveness of sins and renewal of life.
-
dedication
to Christ's way.
The
Lord's Supper is celebrated on Sundays and special
occasions. It is administered by lay people. All
Christians, of any denomination, are welcome to participate. |
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The
Church Structure
The church
is organized to
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Three
Manifestations of the Church |
| Congregational
Each
local church has its own program of worship, mission,
and service.
Members
choose officers, send representatives to regional,
general assemblies. |
Regional
Regional
bodies in the U.S. and Canada help start churches,
relocate ministers, and assist congregations.
The
regions are part of the General Assembly and help choose
the General Board. |
General
General
Assembly is made up of congregational and regional
representatives and ministers.
General
Board is a smaller deliberative body that does spadework
for the assembly. |
Each level is
INDEPENDENT--determining its own programs, staff, and
finances.
Each level is COOPERATIVE--morally responsible to each other,
but without a "pyramid of authority." Top of page
The
Church Mission The
church's world role:
TO
WITNESS TO ALL PEOPLE and NATIONS OF THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST
All
over the world, Disciples of Christ are working through ECUMENISM:
The
Disciples of Christ have always been leaders in the effort to
bring Christians together again. They helped organize
National and World Councils of Churches, the Consultation on
Church Union, and other interdenominational efforts.
Their efforts focus on:
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WORSHIP
-- developing bonds of shared religious experience with
others.
-
BELIEFS
-- identifying common ground between different
denominations.
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ACTION
-- witnessing and serving others through
interdenominational and united church groups whenever
possible.
Our
Church Mission is twofold...
| ...to
proclaim the Gospel message
The
Christian Church tries to tell others in word and deed
what God has done and is doing for them, that God has
come into the world and is inviting people to unite in
the task of redeeming and renewing. |
...to
truly serve humankind
The church
is dedicated to fighting disease, ignorance, poverty,
racism, war, and oppression. It also conducts
self-help and development programs at home and abroad. |
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Welcome
to ALL Christians
| THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH WELCOMES ALL CHRISTIANS
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to
participate
in its ongoing mission:
spreading the good news of salvation and redemption to
all people everywhere. |
to
support
its many
important worldwide activities -- and the efforts of all
religious groups to help people. |
to
learn
about God and God's plan
for us. The church offers many resources for
making you a well-informed disciple. |
| ...and
You Need the Church... |
to
experience
a closer
relationship with God and God's world. |
to
enjoy
the fellowship,
concern, and support of other members. |
to
discover
the deep fulfillment of of
a life truly committed to Jesus Christ. |
THERE'S
A PLACE FOR YOU
IN THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ)! |
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