Mission Statement
First Christian Church of Decatur (Disciples of Christ) is an open and affirming congregation. We welcome everyone into full participation in the life and membership of the church. Inspired and informed by God’s love, mercy, and justice, we are purposefully involved in healing and helping our community and our world. We covenant with God and the greater community to nurture a spirit of love and service to neighbors, honor one another’s differences, and fellowship in the breaking of bread. Actively striving to honor each other’s race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, family configuration, political affiliation, economic circumstance, or theological perspective, we truly do welcome all.
Description
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome you to the Lord’s Table, as God has welcomed us.
Established on the American Frontier in the early 1880’s, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is the oldest and largest Protestant church founded in the United States. Congregations that celebrate the intersection of faith and reason sprang up across Virginia and Kentucky and grew from there. Simplicity and unity, freedom and practicality remain basic tenets of our heritage and our vision.
We believe that the New Testament, particularly the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, form the basis of our Christian faith practice and daily life. As Disciples of Christ, we respect diversity of thought and advocate responsible and conscientious religious and intellectual freedom. We hold that "in essentials, unity, in opinion, liberty, and in all things, LOVE" (Thomas Campbell, co-founder of our denomination). Christian Unity is our "polar star," because ecumenism is an important way of life and mission. In all things we strive to practice the spiritual discipline in a manner that is both socially relevant and intellectually sound.
