What We Value
- We profess no dogma beyond belief in Jesus the Christ, and by that we mean giving our hearts to the Christ who reveals the wisdom and compassion of God.
- The Disciples have well-trained clergy and also a commitment to the priesthood of the laity as well. Shared leadership is practiced at all times.
- The Disciples observe two sacraments: Communion, open to all, as a central part of worship each Sunday and Baptism (by preference: immersion, though any form is acceptable)
- The Bible is seen as the inspired word of God—a living document that needs to be interpreted in and for each new generation. We are in a continuing conversation with the Bible. As our ecumenical partner denomination (United Church of Christ) says: God is still speaking. Yes, God speaks in the Bible but it’s not the end of the sentence.
- Humanity is viewed with original blessing in a good creation. Evil is real and it begins in our own hearts.
- Women have been ordained since the late 1880’s in this denomination. Findlay Street Christian Church was the first Open and Affirming congregation in our denomination (1987) and is dedicated to becoming an anti-racist, pro-reconciling church.
- We do not view Christianity as the only path to God; it is one of many. We know it takes a lifetime to deeply explore a chosen path. Following the way of Jesus is something we are constantly learning.
- Christian life is not about believing things; it is not about being good. Rather, it is about a relationship with God that involves us in a journey of transformation. (Marcus Borg)
- Insight into how God can best make use of us in a particular circumstance flows from the trust we have in God and the commitment we make to listening for God’s guidance on the issues before us.
- We are people who want the experience of God more than the explanation of God. We honor the divine spirit in all people and in creation.
- The purpose of the church is to change lives by the grace of God.
