A Movement for Wholeness, a Welcome Table...

Often we in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) tend to describe ourselves in the negative, by what we are not: we’re not hierarchical, like the Catholics; though we honor all previous baptisms, we don’t baptize infants, like the Methodists; we don’t require acceptance of any formal creed for membership in the church, like the Presbyterians. We are sure of what we aren’t – but do we know what and who we are? 
 
A church’s identity must be firmly rooted in scripture and yet flexible enough to adapt to changes in culture and the shifting demands of mission. Early Christians in Jerusalem had to learn what it meant to be faithful in Antioch and Rome. The forebears of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as they moved from the frontier to the city, had to rethink such matters as congregational autonomy and the goal of “restoring” the New Testament church. Today, we wrestle with what it means to be disciples of our Lord in a world that is increasingly pluralistic, globally connected, and yet so often violently divided. 
 
And so, we live by our succinct statement of identity: 
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.
 
Throughout the next four weeks, we will focus on who we are as Disciples of Christ and how to convey that to those inside and outside our church.  Through experience in worship, Christian Education, and additional studies we will reconnect with who we are as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
 
In Worship

• 2/10 – Movement (Rev. Setty preaching)
  • Isaiah 43:14-21 and Matthew 28:16-20
• 2/17 – Wholeness (Marcus Winn preaching)
  • Luke 6:17-26 and John 17:20-23
• 2/24 – Welcome (Rev. Phillips preaching)
  • Genesis 18:1-8
• 3/3 – Table (Rev. Phillips preaching)
  • 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

 
Opportunities for Study

• Evening Study Opportunity: Over the next four Mondays (2/11, 2/18, 2/25 and 3/4) Revs. Setty and Phillips will lead a group video study in the evenings 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room on who we are as Disciples of Christ. If you are unable to come on Sunday mornings, we especially hope this provides you an opportunity to attend and connect with this community!
• Christian Education:The Middler’s Christian Education class, led by Peggy Moore at 9:00am each Sunday in the Fellowship Hall will follow the same schedule of study as worship, (2/10 – Movement, 2/17 – Wholeness, etc.)  Whether you have been a long-time member of The Middler’s Class or never attended, this would be a great opportunity to learn more about OPCC – all are invited!
• Children’s Christian Education:The children’s Christian Education hour, led by Rev. Setty, will also follow this same schedule of study, but with activities and discussions that are age appropriate.  Even if your child has never attended this 9:00am Christian Education hour – we’d love to see you here!
• Youth:Our Youth and Junior Youth groups meet on the 1stand 3rdWednesdays of the month. They will spend time on Movement and Wholeness on the 1stWednesday and Welcome and table on the 3rdWednesday.  Contact Rev. Setty for more information.
• Online: On Monday evenings following the study, right here on this blog we will post the video watched along with some questions for discussion.  We do hope you are able to participate on Sunday mornings, or on Monday evenings, but this also provides us a great opportunity for connection, especially if your schedule does not!

If you want to get a head start, check out this overview video of who we are as Disciples, and our statement of identity under girded by twelve distinct principles of what it means to be Disciples of Christ (below).

Statement Of Identity
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.
​
Principles Of Identity

1. We confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world, requiring nothing more – and nothing less – as a basis of our life together.
2. We hold the centrality of scripture, recognizing that each person has the freedom – and the responsibility – to study God’s Word within the community of the church.
3. We practice the baptism of believers, which emphasizes that God’s grace demands a response of faith and discipleship, while also recognizing the baptism performed in other churches.
4. We gather for the Lord’s Supper, as often as possible, experiencing at this table the gracious, forgiving presence of Jesus Christ.
5. We structure our community around the biblical idea of covenant, emphasizing not obedience to human authority but accountability to one another because of our shared obedience to Christ.
6. We participate in God’s mission for the world, working with partners to heal the brokenness of creation and bring justice and peace to the whole human family.
7. We hear a special calling to make visible the unity of all Christians, proclaiming that in our diversity we belong to one another because we commonly belong to Christ.
8. We witness to the Gospel of God’s saving love for the world in Jesus Christ, while continuing to struggle with how God’s love may be known to others in different ways.
9. We affirm the priesthood of all believers, rejoicing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit – which include the gift of leadership – that God has given for the common good.
10. We celebrate the diversity of our common life, affirming our different histories, styles of worship, and forms of service.
11. We give thanks that each congregation, where Christ is present through faith, is truly the church, affirming as well that God’s church and God’s mission stretch from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.
12. We anticipate God’s coming reign, seeking to serve the God – Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer – whose loving dominion has no end.