Our Beliefs

The Mission of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

in Goldsboro, North Carolina, is to worship God as revealed in Jesus Christ,

to proclaim the good news of Jesus to our neighbors near and far,

to nurture the spiritual growth of all who gather in Jesus’ name,

to serve those with needs within and beyond the congregation, following Jesus’ example,

and to be committed to the unity of God’s people for which Jesus prayed.

 

Our Identity Statement

The identity statement of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) states: “We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.”

 

We practice unity and inclusion at the Lord’s Table

All are welcome to the Lord’s Table for the sake of mission and for the sake of the world as the one family of God. We worship around His table every week in rememberance of the Last Supper. That’s why we use a chalice as our logo.

 

We practice believer baptism

A person makes the choice to follow God’s call rather than the choice being made for them as an infant. Baptism is the basis of membership in the Church and also a mark that every person is called to serve God – the idea of the “priesthood of all believers.”

 

We are a movement for Christian Unity

We honor our heritage as a movement for Christian unity by cooperating and partnering with other faith communities to work for bringing about wholeness – healing and justice – in the world. This is what it means to be “ecumenical.” 

We also honor the heritage of Christian unity by staying together in covenant as a witness to the world that even when we disagree we can still make room, welcoming all to the table as Christ has welcomed us. Our spiritual ancestors were fond of saying, “unity, not uniformity.”

 

We study scripture for ourselves

We are called to study and read scripture for ourselves. Rather than having tests of faith and creedal statements, we critically and thoughtfully study scripture, taking into account the history and background – the context – in which it was written.

 

We answer God’s call for justice

We move to answer God’s call for justice particularly in the areas of care for the earth, the challenges for women and children, poverty and hunger. We seek to do this work in cooperation with other people of faith. We have a hands-on mission orientation.

 

Preamble to the Design for the Christian Church

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 the covenant of love
which binds us to God and 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.