First Christian Church FAQ’s

 

What kind of worship style do you use?

Our worship is largely “traditional” with some blending of contemporary stile while the preaching style is very contemporary and energetic, filled with Preacher Dave’s high energy zeal for the Word of God.
 

Is your church liberal or conservative?

First Christian is made up of a vast diversity of theological, religious, and political beliefs that make it difficult to say whether the church as a whole is either liberal or conservative. In keeping with the Disciples of Christ tradition, First Christian Church promotes an intelligent, well-thought-out faith that transcends superficial labels of “conservative” or “liberal.” Generally, we believe these labels to be unnecessarily distracting and dangerously un-biblical as they serve only to divide the Body of Christ. We are simply Christians. 
 

What are your core beliefs?

• In worship, we believe that the weekly celebration of Communion is the central point of worship a primary reason for gathering as the community of faith at worship.
• We believe in Believer's Baptism by immersion​for those who are not yet baptized. We also honor and recognize the validity of other Christian baptisms. Therefore, for individuals joining First Christian Church who were baptized in other Christian traditions, we accept that baptism as holy, blessed, and affirmed by God as legitimate.  
• We believe in the authority of Scripture to inform and guide life.
• We believe in upholding the whole of Scripture, rather than isolating individual references. 
• We believe that faith is an individual responsibility that is enhanced and nurtured in the church community.

How do I become a Member?

Membership in First Christian is by Confession of Faith. A person desiring to join the church is asked to publicly testify that they believe Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God and is accepted as their personal Lord, Savior, and Friend. If someone is not baptized, we also require water baptism by immersion as a sign of committing one’s self to the grace and forgiveness afforded at the cross and pledging oneself to live in Christ.
 

I’m from a different denomination. To be a member of First Christian do I have to be re-baptized?

At First Christian we believe God is active in baptism across all Trinitarian Christian traditions and do not presume that our particular method or means of facilitating baptism is absolutely essential for salvation. Therefore, we accept full membership in open baptism, meaning that we accept the baptisms of other traditions and do not require rebaptism. Previously baptized Christians are merely asked to make a public confession that they believe Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God and is accepted as their personal Lord, Savior, and Friend.
 
First Christian practices Believer’s Baptism by Immersion. This means that when an individual is old enough to understand the grace, salvation, forgiveness, and freedom assured them in the Cross and can make a public confession that they believe Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God and is accepted as their personal Lord, Savior, and Friend, they may be baptized by being fully immersed in the waters of baptism.
 

Will I be Welcomed at First Christian Church?

First Christian Church welcomes all! In accordance with our denominational traditions as a part of God's greater church and a member congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we welcome everyone in God's love and recognize our shared ministry in Christ Jesus to be a people of grace and welcome to all God's children even though we may find differences of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, marital status, physical or mental ability, political stance, and theological perspective. 

Who is your authority?

• God is our authority. God’s will is revealed in Jesus Christ and made personally accessible in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• As believers our primary means to know God is through the testimony of the Bible and active engagement through the community of faith.
• The Bible speaks as a whole and is read, understood, and interpreted through prayer, careful study, the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit, and the shared spiritual direction of the gathered community of faith.  
• The pastor and leadership of our congregation serves to assist believers in cultivating a personal relationship with Christ but in no way dictates what that relationship must be or how it is to be absolutely lived out.
• We have a local board consisting of Elders and Deacons that oversee the fiduciary and ministry responsibilities of the congregation.
• First Christian Church is also a member of the larger manifestations of the church through the Area, Regional, and National manifestations if the Christian Church Disciples of Christ that make up our denominational structure. For more information on these manifestations of the church, see:
  • Tres Rios Area ( New Mexico and Southwest Texas Area)   www.traccsw.org
  • Christian Church of the Southwest (All of Texas and New Mexico )  www.ccsw.org
  • The Christian Church Disciples of Christ www.disciples.org