Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What denomination is your church?
A: First Christian Church is a member of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and
Canada. It is the oldest Protestant movement founded on
American soil. We don’t clutter our lives with a bunch
of creeds or tests of fellowship. We are a Bible-centered, New
Testament people, translating God’s word into our lives, the life of
the Christian community, and the world. We value the
“priesthood of all believers.” We see ourselves as ministers,
dedicated to sharing the good news. Our life is rooted in
congregations. However, we recognize our need to be joined in a
common life that embraces the whole family of Disciples, especially
for the purpose of outreach and mission. Our congregation
enjoys the covenant relationship we share with other sister
congregations, our regional church and the general church!
Q: What does your church believe about
baptism?
A: We celebrate immersion baptism of adult
believers. This means that we want each candidate for baptism to
choose for themselves. Immersion is the practice of "immersing" the
candidate for baptism completely under the water during the
celebration.
Some churches practice infant baptism.
Though we wait until children are old enough to make a knowledgeable
choice, we do not require re-baptism. We believe that God’s activity
in a baptism is not for us to question. Therefore, we accept people
into our faith community regardless of the method of their baptism.
Q: What does your church believe about communion (Lord's Supper)?
A: We celebrate the Lord’s Supper as the most
important part of our worship. Therefore, we celebrate communion
each Sunday.
Everyone who believes in Jesus is welcome to participate in
communion, regardless of how you came to church or your religious
affiliation. We celebrate this way because it is God's table, not
ours.
While we hope that everyone participates in the Lord’s Supper, we do
not require anyone to partake. The Lord’s Supper is an opportunity
to . . .
... Re-examine our own lives
... Recall what God has done for us
... Remember Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection
... Restore our relationships with God and neighbor
