First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is part of a wider faith community known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Founded as part of the wave of evangelism and social reform which swept North America in the early 19th century, Disciples continue to view these two aspects of the Christian life as two sides of the same coin. As Disciples:
- We join in a symbolic meal (communion) each Sunday, and all are invited to this table. Thus we symbolize that God’s abundance of love, food, and hospitality are offered to the whole world, regardless of one’s faith tradition, economic condition, political philosophy, or sexual orientation.
- We believe that all Christians are part of one body of Christ. Jesus prayed that all of his followers might be one, “so that the world may believe” (John 17:21). Today we embody the unity that we seek by serving and worshiping together with Christians of various denominational and doctrinal backgrounds whenever possible.
- We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.
- We believe that faith is based on scripture, reason, and experience. The Bible tells stories of the mighty acts of God throughout history. We take these stories seriously, not necessarily literally. God gave us minds to interpret these stories in the light of both reason and human experience. The wisdom of the ages found in the Bible points beyond itself to Holy Mystery and provides guidance for practical, daily living.
- We accept God’s call of service and witness. Jesus gave us both the Great Commandment (to love God and neighbor) and the Great Commission (to proclaim the good news of God’s love to the whole world). We trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to help us do both.
For more information about the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), please check out these links: