about the Disciples of christ

Discover the disciples brochure (PDF).

If you’re looking for a list of ten official, sanctioned, required theological beliefs of the Christian Church, there isn’t one. We don’t have a Catechism or a Creed. In fact, one of the slogans that echoes down from our founders is, “No creed but Christ.” Disciples of Christ have a wide range of beliefs, and sometimes we disagree with one another.

When Disciples talk about beliefs, they often look back at the history of the church. Thomas Campbell, Alexander Campbell, and Barton W. Stone are hailed as the founders of the movement that started in 1806. Today, the movement is called the Stone-Campbell movement.

Stone and Campbell were concerned about unity. “Unity is our polar star,” goes one saying. “In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity,” goes another. Early Disciples rejected rigid theology that excluded other Christians. They believed they were, “Christians only, but not the only Christians.”

 There are a few beliefs that most Disciples would agree with:

• Our profession of faith: We believe that Jesus is the Christ, and accept him as our Lord and Savior.
• We have Communion or The Lord’s Supper at virtually every worship service.
• We practice Baptism by immersion, but all types of baptism are welcomed and recognized.
• We do not use Creeds or Catechisms as tests of faith or requirements for membership.
• We read and study the Bible as the foundation for faith, but every member is free to interpret the text as they understand it.
• We think, we discuss, we learn. We welcome beliefs that are different from our own.