About Us
Who We Are
Our church is part of the Protestant “mainstream” and is widely involved in concerns of social justice. Disciple congregants across the globe vigorously support world and national programs of education, agricultural assistance, racial reconciliation, and care of those in need.
As members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world. This knowledge guides all we do.
To learn more about The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination,
visit www.disciples.org.
Mission Statement
The mission of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is to focus on the spiritual growth and formation of its members.
Guiding Scripture
Ephesians 4:13 NRSV
"...until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ"
Vision
To be a dynamic church where Jesus is Lord and God's presence is felt and where all members lose themselves in the service.
Our History
The Christian Church was organized May 18, 1876 in the county seat of Boone County: Harrison, AR. The town was six years old when the church was founded and the city was incorporated and named the county seat of Boone County. The Christian church is so uniquely American, being that the largest ever founded solely on these shores, it sems fitting that the local church was organized during a period, when the town was busy preparing for the greatest patriotic celebration in its history.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada grew out of two movements seeking Christian unity that sprang up almost simultaneously in western Pennsylvania and Kentucky – movements that were backlashes against the rigid denominationalism of the early 1800s.
“Christians,” the name adopted by Stone’s movement, represented what he felt to be a shedding of denominational labels in favor of a scriptural and inclusive term. Campbell had similar reasons for settling on “Disciples of Christ” but he felt the term “Disciples” less presumptuous than “Christians"
The founders of the Christian Church hoped to restore Christian unity by returning to New Testament faith and practices. But the church found that even this led to division. One group which opposed practices not specifically authorized by the New Testament, such as instrumental music in the church and organized missionary activity, gradually pulled away.
We are a group of people that love to help anyone who wants to know Christ better and serve others in the process. We love helping others!
We are a non-denominational, independent Christian Church. The Bible is our standard of Faith and practice. It is the final authority in our teaching and guide to holy Living. It is our daily aim as members of the body of Christ to conform ourselves to the image of our Lord. He is our king, master, Lord, and Savior. We desire to shine Christ's light in a dark and broken world. We accept the rejected, touch the untouchable, and love the unloveable. We believe there is no color, class, cast, or creed that is outside the reach of God's transforming love. Our commission is to preach the transforming gospel to all the world. As a body of believers, we never stop being transformed by the words of Christ. We desire daily to be transformed from sinners to saints.
The Tapestry of Today
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a North American denomination. North America has long been racially and culturally diverse but church life is not always integrated. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) participates in the racial and cultural diversity of North America, including in its membership European Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Pacific Island/Asian Americans. Disciples are working to become a pro-reconciling anti-racist church. We also have brothers and sisters in Canada who joined our movement with a slightly different history.
The Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Preamble:
"As members of the Christian Church, we confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world. In Christ's name and by his grace we accept our mission of witness and service to all people. We rejoice in God, maker of heaven and earth, and in God's covenant of love which binds us to God and to one another. Through baptism into Christ we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God. In the communion of the Holy Spirit we are joined together in discipleship and in obedience to Christ. At the Table of the Lord we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ. Within the universal church we receive the gift of ministry and the light of scripture. In the bonds of Christian faith we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the One whose kingdom has no end. Blessing, glory, and honor be to God forever. Amen."