Our Beliefs Early History Later History Constitution Bylaws

Many settlers came to the New World in search of religious freedom. Some had grown tired of church doctrines that told them what to believe. Such a man was Barton Stone, who was serving as a regular supply preacher at the Cane Ridge Meeting House near Paris, Kentucky. In 1801 a Camp Meeting was held which heralded the beginnings of the Christian Church. Alexander Campbell came to the United States from Scotland in 1809 and together with his father, Thomas Campbell, began a similar movement called the Disciples of Christ. In 1832, Campbell and Stone got together and united their groups, forming the oldest denomination founded in the United States. This union has blessed our church with a profound interest in unity and ecumenism which continues today.

Central to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is the belief that there is but one God and that God so loved the world that he sent his son into the world that humanity might experience the wonder of God's graceful love through this human presence. Our great confession is that we "believe in God, and in Jesus Christ as God's son and our savior."

Autonomy of the individual and church: We believe in the autonomy of the individual to come to his or her own understanding of what that confession means and how it is to be lived. The Bible is a guide to our understanding but we have no specific teaching regarding biblical authority. In accord with that kind of individual autonomy is the autonomy of the churches. Each church chooses its own ministers, decides its own form of worship, and is completely self-governing.

Membership in our church is either by confession of faith and baptism or by transfer from another church. Though we usually practice baptism by immersion, all forms of baptism are recognized. Anyone who can make that great confession of faith is welcome to join and be a part of our leadship without regard to race, color, national origin, gender or any other discriminating factors. Though many of us come together from different backgrounds and rarely share the same beliefs, we believe that our diversity enriches the body of Christ. Each of us is endowed with gifts that enhance our mission to increase the world's love of God and each other. We believe that you are essential to that mission.

The Lord's Supper We observe the Lord's Supper every Sunday. This memorial service is open to anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It is administered by lay members of the church.

Baptism We baptize by immersion. We do recognize the validity of other forms of baptism and accept membership transfers. Our worship services are characterized by music, scripture, a short sermon, and weekly communion. We believe that partaking of the bread and cup are an essential part of the experience of coming together as the body of Christ in worship

Christian Unity We believe that all Christians are one in Jesus Christ, and therefore work with other churches and denominations in local projects and special worship experiences.

"No Creed but Christ"T his slogan of an early leader indicates that we have no "list" of beliefs. We confess the centrality of Jesus Christ.

Inclusiveness We believe that all Christians are ministers and are to be involved in the leadership of the church, as both professional ministers and lay members of the church.