West Lake Christian Church Disciples of Christ

WHAT WE BELIEVE 
 

A question often asked by members and non-members alike is, "Just what does the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) believe?" 

Since it began on the American frontier in the early 1800's, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has attempted to hold true to the teachings of Jesus and the practices of the New Testament churches. 

No attempt has been made to impose any set of beliefs or interpretation of scripture on any member. There are no religious doctrines or theological concepts, which all members must believe, nor is there a written creed with which a person must agree in order to become a member. The only question people are asked when presenting themselves for membership in the Christian Church is, "Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and do you accept him as your Lord and Savior?" 

Those making that "Profession of Faith" are then baptized by immersion. No other belief is required. In all other matters, the church recognizes the right of its members to complete freedom of opinion. This has led to a variety of beliefs from congregation to congregation, as well as within individual congregations. 

However, there is a common set of beliefs and practices accepted by many members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Here are some of the more significant: 

• We believe that the New Testament, particularly the life and teachings of Jesus and his apostles, form the basis of our Christian thoughts and actions. 
   
• We believe that the Church, the body of Christ, is a holy fellowship through which God seeks to work his will in every age. 
   
• We believe in the principle of self-government for each congregation with the Regional and General Church serving in advisory capacities only. 
   
• We observe the Lord's Supper, Communion, each time we worship and welcome all Christians from every denomination to participate. 
   
• We practice "believer's baptism" by immersion, a New Testament practice recognized as the symbol of our participation in the death, burial, and resurrection to new life. 
   
• We believe in "the priesthood of all believers", which means that each individual can approach God directly without the necessity of a priest or minister as intermediary. 
   
• We believe in the unity of all Christians, which we have referred to as our "Polar Star", and we participate in and encourage ecumenical relations with other congregations and denominations through worship, study and service. 

One of our favorite slogans that summarizes what we believe is: "In essentials, Unity; in opinions, Liberty; in all things, Love." 

A Historical Note About Our Name: Because of our commitment to Christian Unity, we are the product of the merger of two movements - the Christian Church and the Disciples of  Christ - and at the time of our union, we chose to keep both names. Since 1968, however, some of the churches related to our development chose to separate themselves and took the first part of our name and refer to themselves as the Christian Church. Since that time, we have referred to ourselves more and more as the "Disciples of Christ" to reduce the confusion created by the similarity of names.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Symbol

The chalice and St. Andrews Cross was adopted by the Church's General Assembly in 1971.  The chalice points of St. Andrew, national cross of Scotland, focuses attention on the Presbyterian roots of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Both branches of the movement that gradually grew together on the American frontier and developed into the Disciples of Christ were spawned in Presbyterianism and many of the ideas of the Campbells were developed in Scotland.

The symbol suggests in addition to St. Andrews Cross a more traditional cross being carried.  St. Andrew also has been identified with the laity and with evangelism, both of which are prominent emphases of the Christian Church.  The red color signified vitality, spirit and sacrifice.

2009 is the 200th anniversary of our call for Christian unity.  In his "Declaration and Address" (written in 1809), Thomas Campbell said that the Church in the whole world is united...it is One. 

WLCC celebrated Campbell's call for unity with a Great Communion service on World Communion Sunday, October 4th 2009.