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The Name
Since 1968 when the Provisional Design was accepted by the General Assembly,
the name of the denomination has been Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
The compound name recognizes the historical coming together of two movements
in 1832.
The "Christian Church" part of the name stems from the church's Kentucky ancestry and
Barton W. Stone, whose followers dissolved their Presbyterian relationship in
favor of a church less complicated, less dedicated to the use of creeds as
tests of belief and more open to the reunion of Christians.
Thomas and Alexander Campbell, whose movement to restore Christian unity
developed similarly but separately in western Pennsylvania, rebelled against dogmatic
sectarianism. Campbell
chose "Disciples of Christ" because he felt it was less pretentious
than "Christian Church".
The Symbol
The red chalice bearing the "X"-shaped Cross of St. Andrew, which
has come to be the symbol of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), was
developed in 1969. The chalice symbolizes the centrality of the Lord's Supper
as well as the cup of Christian self-giving for the world.
The St. Andrew's Cross, national cross of Scotland, focuses attention on
the Scotch Presbyterian roots of the church. Thomas and Alexander Campbell
both studied in Scotland
and were Presbyterians, drawing many of their ideas from developments taking
place in that country. St. Andrew too has been identified with the laity and
evangelism, prominent emphases of the Disciples over the years.
~Guin Tuckett Stemmler~
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A MINISTRY STATEMENT
Florissant Valley Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) strives to do
ministry that meets the needs of the congregation, the community, and the
wider church. Our church life together is centered around the worship service
at 10:15 a.m. each Sunday and 6:00 p.m. each Wednesday. Church School,
with classes for people of all ages, begins at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday.
A BELIEF STATEMENT
Florissant Valley Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a member
congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. We hold the scriptures as
the word of God. Therefore, the Holy Scriptures are the basis of our faith,
our belief and our expression of Christian life. We also hold to individual
responsibility for theological positions. Membership is on the basis of
confession of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of the living God or by
transfer of membership from another faith community. We practice Believer's
Baptism by immersion.
We celebrate the Lord's Supper each Sunday morning, Wednesday evening and at
such other times as may be appropriate. The invitation to the Lord's Table is
open to all who confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
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In essentials, unity;
in nonessentials, liberty;
in all things, charity.
~early Disciples motto, attributed to Rupertus Meldenius~
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