WHAT WE BELIEVE

The Design for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a document adopted in 1968. It spells out how the church is organized. Many Disciples use its preamble as a way of expressing their understanding of their faith.

As Members of the Christian Church, we confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and 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.

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 the 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.

We believe in, and practice, baptism by immersion, but all forms of prior baptism are accepted, if satisfactory to the person. Our baptism is a "believer’s baptism" and is available to those who are of age to understand what the act means.

The Lord’s Supper is the heart of worship in the Christian Church. Communion is celebrated every Sunday and on special occasions. All who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, regardless of denomination, are welcome to participate.

There is a place for you at First Christian Church. We invite you to participate, support, learn, experience, enjoy, and discover the Good News of Jesus Christ with us.

OUR HISTORY AND CALL

WHO WE ARE

We are the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the first Protestant movement founded on American Soil. Our church was born on the American Frontier in the early 1800's as a movement opposing the rigid denominationalism imported from Europe and seeking Christian unity on a simple New Testament basis. Its founders were Alexander Campbell in western Pennsylvania and Virginia and Barton W. Stone in Kentucky. The basic principle was a fellowship built around the Lord's Table, open to all believers, and tolerance of widely divergent viewpoints concerning "non-essentials".

We have been called the "people of the chalice" which refers to the chalice symbol adopted in 1971. It symbolizes the centrality of the Lord's Supper to Disciples life. The St. Andrew's Cross, the national cross of Scotland, focuses attention on the Scottish Presbyterian roots of the church. The red color of the chalice signifies vitality, spirit and sacrifice.

LOCAL HISTORY

The platform of the Santa Fe Railroad Station, a borrowed church building, and the 2nd floor of a store building were the first gathering places for those seeking to begin a new fellowship. In 1887, the First Christian Church was formally chartered. In 1889, the present location was purchased for $300, and a small frame church was built. In 1905, it was torn down to be replaced by a brick and stone church that was dedicated on February 7, 1909. An educational wing with a fellowship hall was completed in May of 1956. In 1965, termites infested the church so the fellowship hall was used until the present sanctuary building was completed in March 1966.

GOVERNANCE

Each Disciples of Christ congregation functions by itself, determines its own business, needs and policies, and owns its own property. The congregation is directed by an Official Board elected from the body of the congregation, and is democratic in nature. The people in the congregation have the final authority in all decisions. While there is no ecclesiastical hierarchy, we cooperate with our General Ministries and Regional (Kansas) Ministries, enabling us to minister more effectively in outreach, benevolent, and education programs.

OUR CALL

We are called by the Holy Spirit through the teaching of Jesus Christ to do the work of God on earth. To accomplish this we commit our resources to serve and nurture all people. We join with the church universal in accepting Jesus the Christ as the Son of God and our Lord and Savior. Responding to God’s continuing call, we strive to hear and discern God’s will while being a caring, loving, and accepting people. We experience God’s grace and strive to help others to experience that grace as well, as we share the Good News of God by thought, word and deed with all people.