Beliefs & Practices

Our wider church family includes members and friends around the world and ecumenical partners in nearly every nation. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) began on the frontier in the early 1800s as a movement to unify Christians and restore the church along the lines of New Testament authority and practice. Disciples, as we call ourselves, don't claim to be the only Christians, but see ourselves as part of the larger Body of Christ.

Beliefs and practices usually associated with Disciples include:

• Open communion. The Lord's Supper, or Communion, is celebrated in weekly worship. On Christ's behalf, we welcome to the Table all who trust in Jesus and those who are seeking faith.
• Baptism by immersion. In baptism, the old self-centered life is set aside and a new life of trust in God is embraced. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion, other baptism traditions are honored.
• Freedom of belief. Disciples are called together around one essential of faith: trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Persons are encouraged to live their lives guided by the Holy Spirit, the Bible, their connection to a local community of faith, and historic understandings of the church.
• The ministry of all. Both ministers and lay people lead in worship, service and spiritual growth.
  
• The unity of the Church. All Christians - no matter their historical, theological, political, racial/ethnic and other sociological differences - are called to live as one in Christ and to seek opportunities for common witness and service.
• The oneness of creation. Disciples consider ourselves stewards of God's creation, rather than its owners. We seek therefore to work for the healing and wholeness of God's creation in partnership with all persons of good will.
• A passion to serve. In concrete and practical ways, Disciples congregations make a difference in our neighborhoods, our communities and around the world. We work side by side with the marginalized and advocate for fairness in laws and public policy.
  
  

The Chalice

With an emphasis on the Lord's Supper, Disciples have chosen a chalice as our symbol. The chalice bears the X-shaped cross of Jesus' disciple, Andrew, symbolizing the sacrifice of Christ, the call to discipleship, the ministry of the laity, and the importance of telling others about our faith (for once having met Jesus, Andrew rushed to tell his brother, Peter). The image of the communion cup reminds us of the transforming heart of Christianity: communion with Christ Jesus, both around his table with others and in our daily lives.