Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is one of the largest Protestant denominations founded on American soil.  In the early 1800's, Barton Stone of Kentucky led a movement called the "Christians" in quest for reuniting Christ's church.  In western Pennsylvania, a similar movement led by Thomas Campbell and his son, Alexander, called itself "Disciples of Christ." Both movements united with a handshake in 1831 at Lexington, KY.  The movement functioned as a brotherhood of congregations and related bodies until 1968, when it adopted a denominational design and its current name.  In 2001 there were more than 807,335 members in 3,743 congregations in the U.S. and Canada.

Abortion: The Disciples' General Assembly has repeatedly affirmed its support for the principles of a woman's right to reproductive freedom, of the freedom and responsibility of individual conscience, and of the sacredness of life of all persons.  While advocating respect for differences of religious beliefs concerning abortion, Disciples have consistently opposed any attempts to legislate a specific religious opinion regarding abortion for all Americans.

Baptism: The normative form of baptism practiced by Disciples is immersion of persons following their confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, often referred to as believer's baptism.  However, attesting that one's baptism is into the whole body of Christ, they recognize the validity of other forms of baptism and welcome those baptized in other customary ways into Christian fellowship and congregational membership.

Birth Control: The Disciples support responsible family planning, leaving decisions on methods up to each individual and couple.

Capital Punishment: The General Assembly has expressed its opposition to capital punishment.

Christ's Return: There is freedom for all individuals to determine their own opinions in this area.

Communion: Disciples congregations celebrate the Lord's Supper every Sunday, inviting all who have confessed Jesus Christ to participate.  This open table is an expression of the Disciple's commitment to Christian unity.

Creation vs.  Evolution: Disciples have the freedom to draw their own conclusions based on the interaction of faith and reason.

Deity of Jesus: As members of the Christian church, Disciples confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.

Distinguishing Beliefs/Practices: Disciples affirm (a loving God*) who created the world and who binds Christians in a covenant of love to God and to each other.  Through baptism into Christ and Communion of the Holy Spirit, all are called together to discipleship, witness, and service.  In practice, these belief,, are expressed through lay leadership, congregational government, ecumenical involvement, the centrality of the authority of Scripture, doctrinal freedom, believer's baptism by immersion, and weekly Communion.

Divorce and Remarriage: The General Assembly has recognized both the reality and the trauma of divorce and has expressed concern for the well being of children of divorcing parents.

Government: The Design of'the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) details Disciples' polity as one church whose internal life is expressed in three manifestations: congregational, regional, and general.  Disciples recognize no hierarchy among these three manifestations, which are united by covenantal relationships.

Heaven/Hell: Each individual is free to determine what they think.

Homosexuality: The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is on record in support of civil rights, regardless of sexual orientation.  Disciples are currently involved in a discernment process, studying the participation of gay and lesbian persons in the life of the church.  Polices concerning the ordination of homosexuals vary from region to region.

Inspiration of Scripture: Within the universal church, Disciples receive the gift of ministry and the light of Scripture, both of which are central to Disciples' faith and practice.  (Scripture is accorded primacy alongside three other avenues of revelation:  tradition, experience and reason.*)

Miracles: Each individual is free to decide their own opinions concerning miracles.

Restrictions: None.

Security of Salvation: Salvation is God's unmerited gift of God's grace and love, which Disciples acknowledge through their confession of faith, baptism and faithful living.

Speaking in Tongues and Other Gifts of the Spirit: While speaking in tongues is not ordinarily a part of the Disciples' practice, Disciples do affirm the gifts of ministry through the Holy Spirit.

Trinity: Disciples affirm (the persons of the trinity: the creator God, the redeemer Christ, and the sanctifying Holy Spirit.  They also baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.*)

Women in Ministry: Since the late 19th century, Disciples have ordained women to ministry.  In 2002 more than 23 percent of Disciples' ministers are women.

Unity/Ecumenism: (Believing that the church is "essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one," the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is highly committed to the ecumenical life of the Body of Christ in the world.  It is a partner with the United Church of Christ; it is a member of the National Council of Churches; and it is an official part of Churches Uniting in Christ.  Local congregations are most always active in ecumenical bodies and efforts within their local and state-wide communities.*)
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For more information contact:
Communications Ministries
130 E. Washington St., PO Box 1986
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986
Phone: (317) 635-3100
Fax: (317) 635-3700
Web site: www.disciples.org 

Church information from The 60-Second Guide to Denominations: Understanding Protestant Churches of North America (2003) by Shelly Steig, Published by World Bible Publishers, Inc.  Iowa Falls, Iowa

*parentetic statements added, or substituted for language from the text, on advice from Dr. Richard Guentert, Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in the Upper Midwest.