First Christian Church

Who Are We?

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Welcome to First Christian in Red Oak!  We are a people of God who are on a journey to grown inward, outward, and upward for the glory of God. We question, think, and listen. We respect other faiths. We welcome new people. We are open to new ideas.  We care about our community. We care about creation. We are passionate about making our community and world a better place.  We strive to be known as Christians by our love.

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We are a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada who exists to be:

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• a “movement for wholeness is a fragmented world,”

• a “faithful, growing church, that demonstrates true community, deep Christian spirituality and a passion for justice.” (www.disciples.org)

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Some beliefs and practices of the Disciples include:

• Open Communion – Communion is celebrated weekly during worship. Everyone is welcome at Christ’s table where the wall of human hostility is broken down in God’s uniting love.

• Freedom of belief – Disciples are called together around our desire and commitment to follow Jesus. Persons are free to follow their consciences guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit, study, prayer, and dialog, and are expected to extend that freedom to others.

• Baptism by immersion – In baptism the old self-centered life is set aside, and a new life of trust in God begins. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion of those of the age of accountability, other baptism traditions are honored.

• Belief in the oneness of the church – All Christians are called to be one in Christ and to seek opportunities for common witness and service.

• The ministry of believers – Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship, service, and spiritual growth.

• You may notice that there are no creeds or doctrines mentioned.  You are correct in this.  We historically came from strands of church history that were frustrated with the hierarchy that restricted the church, as well as many creeds and doctrines from conflicts in antiquity.  The early Christian Church movement wanted find unity among the diverse believers in Christ, as well as restore the practice of Christianity to its simplest form.  The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at one point in history adopted the phrase "No book but the Bible, no creed but Christ."  While we seek the simplicity in our faith, we do not scoff education and being informed either.  God gave us minds to think, while belief is essential, to mind is a terrible this to waste.  And so - questions are good.  Even the dumb, silly, and obvious ones.  If you have questions abut what we believe about different church practices, or polity, or ideas, or who God is - let's talk about it.  We may not always agree, but we believe in a God that is bigger than us, that calls us all lovingly to follow in that same spirit of love and kindness for all peoples.  May it be a good journey - and good company along the way.