WHO ARE THE DOC?
The Disciples of Christ Denomination

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The “Top Seven” Historical Beliefs

1. Christian Unity
  • Founded in a quest for Christian unity.
  • 19th century slogan:  “Unity is our Polar Star.”

2. No Official Creed
  • Man-made creeds divide rather than unite the church.
  • 19th century slogan:  “No creed but Christ.”

3. New Testament is Our Guide
  • All of the Bible is important from Genesis through Revelation.  However, because we call ourselves Christians, we read the whole Bible through the “lens” of Jesus Christ.  It is the “good news” of God’s action in Jesus Christ that gives meaning to the whole book.
  • 19th century slogan:  “No book but the Bible.”

4. Weekly Celebration of the “Lord’s Supper”
  • Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
  • Disciples believe that “something is missing” if the Good News is proclaimed and the Lord’s Supper is not shared.  In like manner, we believe that “something is missing” if the Lord’s Table is celebrated but the Good News is not proclaimed.
  • Rule of thumb:  “If the Lord’s Supper becomes commonplace, then the problem isn’t that we are doing it too much.  The problem is that we are doing it badly.”

5. Priesthood of All Believers
  • Disciples proclaim that there is “no essential difference” between clergy and laity.  The ordained minister is not a mediator between God and God’s people and does not hold “preferred” status before God.
  • The difference between clergy and laity is that an “ordained” minister has been set aside by God and the church to perform a “representative” function.  He or she represents God, scripture, tradition and the congregation.
  • The practical meaning of this belief is that any baptized believer can preside over and administer the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.​
6. Conversion is a “Voluntary Turning”
  • Professions of visions or ecstatic experiences in defense of one’s “savedness” are not required.
  • The only requirement for membership is to affirm the “Good Confession” made by Peter in Matthew 16:16.  Peter said to Jesus: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  
  • When someone wants to place membership in one of our congregations, we ask: “Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God?”

7. Individual Freedom of Opinion
  • The church will not legislate morality.  The church will teach, admonish and even lead by example.  But, the church recognizes that the responsibility to “choose” discipleship resides with the individual.
  • 18th century slogan:  “In essentials, unity.  In non-essentials, diversity.  In all things, charity.”
  • This is the most difficult of all the historic beliefs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with which to live.  It has led to the formation of not one but three different groups from the original Stone-Campbell movement.
  • Paul says in his letter to the church at Corinth:  “In Christ, you have been set free.”  What he fails to mention is how difficult freedom can be.
If you would like to learn more about the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), please visit the website of the Pacific Southwest Region at disciplespswr.org or the website of our General Church (international church) at disciples.org.

READ THE 2020 NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT REV. TERI HORD OWENS