About Us

Who we are in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

We have sometimes understood ourselves as “An Experiment in Liberty,” part of the “Restoration Movement,” or an “American Religious Movement.” But our roots are in the Presbyterian and Baptist traditions and our founders (Alexander and Thomas Campbell, Barton W. Stone, and Walter Scott) sought to restore the Church as they understood it from the New Testament. One of our tradition’s favorite assertions is “No Creed, But Christ; No Book, But the Bible.” And working for “Christian Unity” is one of our denomination’s passions as we seek to bridge the many divisions in the body of Christ today.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was born on the American frontier of the early 1800’s. Now with a million members, it is one of the largest native protestant religious movements in the country. First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Owensboro began in November of 1860, as Abraham Lincoln was running for President.

The Disciples of Christ are defined by our style as much as by our beliefs. These are some of the elements of our beliefs and style:

Diversity – We make an effort to honor diversity and cultivate openness to the views of others, with every individual having the right and the duty to study and interpret scripture for herself or himself. Early church mottos were “No Creed but Christ” and “Christian Unity is Our Polar Star.”

Role of Laity and Clergy – Our founders emphasized the ministry responsibility of all baptized Christians, without minimizing the need for trained and qualified pastoral leadership.

Role of Women – Disciples have historically valued the leadership of women in all aspects of church life.

We are “People of the Table” – The Lord’s Supper, or communion, with its rich symbolism of God’s self-giving love, is the center of our gathered life in worship. In pursuit of Christian unity, it is open to all believers.

A People of the Living Water – Disciples practice baptism by immersion. In our spirit of Christian unity, we embrace and welcome all who have been baptized by other means.

Disciples are People of Ministry – In recognition and appreciation of God’s mercy, grace and blessings, we are led to support missions and address human issues of peace and justice, in hopes of helping to birth the peaceable realm of God’s shalom upon the earth.