About Us

:: Who are we? :: The Mission Imperative of the Disciples of Christ ::
:: Our Leadership :: Driving Instructions :: Our Youth Camp ::

Who are we?

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a church centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in the Bible. We have no "creeds" or tests of fellowship. An old phrase, "no creed but Christ," summarizes the general understanding of our simple, New Testament faith.

We do not accept or practice heavy-handed doctrines or dogmas, believing that Christians are empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit to read, study and apply God's word in scripture. We celebrate and encourage diversity of opinion, focusing on the centrality of Christ as the essential element of Christian faith. In Christ, all are equal and equally loved by God.

We center our life and worship on communion. When Christ broke the bread and gave the cup, we believe he was defining a new community centered in fellowship around the Table of Grace and lived in God's eternal love expressed at that table. Communion is served at every Sunday service of worship. The table is also central to our identity as a community of faith. The table symbolizes welcome to all humanity; God's compassion for each person, God's mercy for all sinners and God's love for you.

We practice believers baptism by immersion, understanding that to be a biblical model of Christian baptism. This simply means that one is baptized as an older adolescent or adult only after she or he is able to make an informed and conscious choice to accept Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior and friend. Baptism then is done by full, bodily immersion into water for the forgiveness of sins and participation in the death, burial, resurrection, and eternal life of Jesus Christ. We do, however, believe that baptism is an act of God, not of humanity and therefore we accept, by transfer of membership, accepted forms of Christian baptism, including infant baptism.

Although not to be considered a creed, we use as a guideline and framework, the Preamble to the Design for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Many Disciples use it as a way of expressing their understanding of the faith.

The Mission Imperative of the Disciples of Christ
Adopted July 2000

(Taken from http://www.disciples.org/dcmiss.htm)

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), in our quest to embody Christian unity, led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we believe God calls us:

OUR VISION

To be a faithful, growing church that demonstrates true community, deep Christian spirituality and a passion for justice. (Micah 6:8)

OUR MISSION

To be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps "to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

OUR IMPERATIVE

To strengthen congregational life for this mission. (Ephesians 4:11-13, 15-16)

To accomplish this, we shall:

• Become the Good News:
  • Nurturing faith
  • Practicing and teaching the spiritual disciplines
  • Fostering Disciples identity
  • Renewing congregational life
  • Developing leaders
• Share the Good News:
  • Emphasizing ministry with children, youth, young adults and families
    
  • Doing evangelism
  • Establishing new congregations
  • Creating ministries with older adults
• Serve from "our doorsteps to the ends of the earth":
  • Engaging in ministries of reconciliation, compassion, unity and justice.

OUR COVENANT

In accepting our Vision, Mission and Imperative, we affirm our need to:

• be an anti-racist/pro-reconciliation church
• strengthen relationships among all manifestations of the church
• share mutually and more fully the stewardship of God's gifts of our life in Christ
• encourage our growing diversity within our church family and community
• work with our many ecumenical and global partners to heal the brokenness of the body of Christ and the human community.

Our Leadership

General Board, 2001-2002

Elders:

Serving Deacons:

Preparing Deacons:

Church Board Officers, 2001-2002

Driving Instructions

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
1002 West Church Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220

Business office (505) 885-4481 or (505) 885-8181
Church Parsonage (505) 885-4546
Minister's Cell Phone (505) 361-7071

The church is located one block west of Mesa on Church street in Carlsbad, New Mexico:

From Artesia on US 285, turn right on Mesa, then right on Church.

From Carlsbad Caverns, El Paso or Pecos, Texas on US 285/180/62, go through town and turn left on Church.

From Hobbs on US 180/62, turn North on US 285 to Church street. Turn left.

Our Youth Camp

Open to all. For more information, registration or questions, contact Dave. Youth Summer Camp dates for 2002:

• Senior High Conference (High School) - June 2-8
• New Beginnings (completed grades 1-3) - June 13-15
• Chi Rho Camp (completed grades 6 & 7) - June 17-22
• Junior Camp (completed grades 4 & 5) - June 24-29
• Created to be me (completed grade 8) - June 30 - July 6

Home :: About Us :: Our Calendar :: Prayer Requests :: Links of Interest :: Contact Us
Handy Homepage

Contact Us:
First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ
1002 West Church Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220
505-885-4481
info@fcccarlsbad.org

Copyright 2002 First Christian Church in Carlsbad, NM
This site created by Mitchell Web Design Services