First Christian Church - Disciples of Christ

[Auntie]

Hi,


I am trying to find people here at CF who are members of the First Christian Church - Disciples of Christ.


Is this the right place?

[88Devin07]

I am, but in the future I will convert to Eastern Orthodoxy...

[Auntie]

I am, but in the future I will convert to Eastern Orthodoxy...


Oh dear......


Would you care to discuss why EO?

[88Devin07]

b/c I have discovered, not only through my questions to Orthodox members and priests, but also through true historical research and general knowledge/reading of the writings of the Saints/church fathers. I've found t hat the EO church is (in my opinion) the original and true church, the one that has existed since Pentacost.

Also (in my humble opinion), I believe that their views are flawless, my former views of the rapture, the 1,000 year reign, etc... all had flaws, even in the interpretation of scripture...

Now instead of reading things written by Hal Lindsey, Tim Lahaye, watching TBN, etc... I now read things written by the Saints, such as St. Athanasius, St. Basil the Great, and of course, the Bible.

[Auntie]

Here's my story, short version :)

I was raised in the CoC and the First Christian Church. Then there was the big split, about 1957 I think.

My family left First Christian with everyone else and started a new church called "Central Christian". Basically the same as First Christian. I was Baptized in the Central Christian Church.

I married about a zillion years ago :) , and because my husband was Baptist, I became Baptist. But I've never really been happy there because of hardly ever having Communion.

In the last couple of years, I've been studying the Catholic Church. I am having so many questions and doubts.

Now I am thinking about going back to my roots......going back to First Christian.

I guess I am confused about things.

[Lisa0315]

I am totally fascinated by this subject. Can you guys please discuss the beliefs of EO and First Christian? I would like to just sit back and read if you don't mind, maybe pop in with a question here or there.


Lisa

[Auntie]

b/c I have discovered, not only through my questions to Orthodox members and priests, but also through true historical research and general knowledge/reading of the writings of the Saints/church fathers. I've found t hat the EO church is (in my opinion) the original and true church, the one that has existed since Pentacost.



Have you also studied the Latin Catholic church?



Also (in my humble opinion), I believe that their views are flawless, my former views of the rapture, the 1,000 year reign, etc... all had flaws, even in the interpretation of scripture...

Now instead of reading things written by Hal Lindsey, Tim Lahaye, watching TBN, etc... I now read things written by the Saints, such as St. Athanasius, St. Basil the Great, and of course, the Bible.

You know what, in all of my years at First Christian, we never ever studied the "end times", rapture, or any of that stuff. I never knew a thing about it until I became Baptist.

[Auntie]

I am totally fascinated by this subject. Can you guys please discuss the beliefs of EO and First Christian? I would like to just sit back and read if you don't mind, maybe pop in with a question here or there.


Lisa


Hi Lisa,

I am probably not the one you should listen to, because it has been many years since I attended First Christian, and I know very little about the EO.

:)

[Lisa0315]

Hi Lisa,

I am probably not the one you should listen to, because it has been many years since I attended First Christian, and I know very little about the EO.

:)
Hi! That's okay. I will just lurk and listen.

[88Devin07]

I have no right to speak for the EO Church, I am only an inquirer. But if I must explain some of their views, I will try...

They don't believe in the rapture.
Amillinialism (don't believe in a 1,000 year reign of Christ, but instead, an eternal one)
Non-Sola Scriptura (don't believe that scripture alone is enough authority)
Non-Sola Fide (don't believe we are saved by faith alone)
They don't believe you are saved by works alone
They believe you are not saved until you die. That your destiny is decided at the point of death and not beforehand
They believe in 1 baptism
They use wine and bread for the communion, which they name the Holy Eucharist. They believe once blessed by a Priest it becomes the real body and blood of Jesus even though it appears to be wine and bread.
They are neither Creationist or Thesitic Evolutionists. They believe that God created all things and that to go any deeper than that doesn't mean much since it doesn't impact your salvation. (There are people who believe in Creation and Theistic Evolution, in fact, most Orthodox do believe in one or the other, but they don't put much importance in smaller unimportant details)
They believe there is the earthly church, their church, and the heavenly church, which is all Christians.

there is a lot more, and it varies from member to member. But if you truly want to know about it, talk to an Orthodox priest, because I am especially vulnerable to corruption and may (and have) misrepresented the church.

Auntie, our church studied Revelation a lot this last year. But surprisingly, after I provided material for reading to the teacher of the Elder Sunday School class. I shortly changed my views completely.

Oh and Auntie, (no offense to any Catholic memebrs) but IMHO, I don't believe the Catholic church is the original church, I believe that in 1054, they seperated themselves from all other churches that made up the original church, thus severring their ties to St. Peter and St. Paul... But of course, I do believe they are Christians and are part of the heavenly church of God.

[Auntie]

Lisa,

I do have very fond memories of First Christian because it is the church I was a member of when I was a kid.

I like the way they have Communion every Sunday, and I like the way they try to pattern themselves after the early Christians.

I can't remember anything I didn't like about them, but it's been many years ago.

[88Devin07]

In fact auntie, it is b/c I've been a member of the Disciples of Christ that I'm interested in Orthodoxy. I knew form the start that my church isn't the original one, and I wanted to know what the original church was like and whether it still existed today. Our church is close, but it still isn't in communion with the original church.

[Auntie]

I have no right to speak for the EO Church, I am only an inquirer. But if I must explain some of their views, I will try...

They don't believe in the rapture.
Amillinialism (don't believe in a 1,000 year reign of Christ, but instead, an eternal one)
Non-Sola Scriptura (don't believe that scripture alone is enough authority)
Non-Sola Fide (don't believe we are saved by faith alone)
They don't believe you are saved by works alone
They believe you are not saved until you die. That your destiny is decided at the point of death and not beforehand
They believe in 1 baptism
They use wine and bread for the communion, which they name the Holy Eucharist. They believe once blessed by a Priest it becomes the real body and blood of Jesus even though it appears to be wine and bread.
They are neither Creationist or Thesitic Evolutionists. They believe that God created all things and that to go any deeper than that doesn't mean much since it doesn't impact your salvation. (There are people who believe in Creation and Theistic Evolution, in fact, most Orthodox do believe in one or the other, but they don't put much importance in smaller unimportant details)
They believe there is the earthly church, their church, and the heavenly church, which is all Christians.

there is a lot more, and it varies from member to member. But if you truly want to know about it, talk to an Orthodox priest, because I am especially vulnerable to corruption and may (and have) misrepresented the church.

Auntie, our church studied Revelation a lot this last year. But surprisingly, after I provided material for reading to the teacher of the Elder Sunday School class. I shortly changed my views completely.

Oh and Auntie, (no offense to any Catholic memebrs) but IMHO, I don't believe the Catholic church is the original church, I believe that in 1054, they seperated themselves from all other churches that made up the original church, thus severring their ties to St. Peter and St. Paul... But of course, I do believe they are Christians and are part of the heavenly church of God.


Devin, I think you did a good job explaining the EO :) . I know, it is EXTREMELY complicated, and detailed, and impossible to explain in just a few sentences. But you did good :) .

Have you studied the Catholic Church of Rome? I would suggest studying them both. I think they are very similar.

But what caused you to lose faith in the Christian church? What caused you to become a seeker? How was it you were able to find the EO?

Honestly, I don't think there is an EO Church within at least 100 miles of me.

[Auntie]

Devin, sorry :sorry: , I am posting late and missing some of your answers, then catching them after I post.

[Auntie]

Oh and Auntie, (no offense to any Catholic memebrs) but IMHO, I don't believe the Catholic church is the original church, I believe that in 1054, they seperated themselves from all other churches that made up the original church, thus severring their ties to St. Peter and St. Paul... But of course, I do believe they are Christians and are part of the heavenly church of God.


Actually, they are very much part of the original church. The EO sees the Pope as the Bishop of Rome. Also, there is the chance that "one day" the EO and the CC will reunite :) .

[88Devin07]

Lots of questions lol

1. I haven't "studied" it, but through my research in Eastern Orthodoxy, I saw that in 1054, the "Great Schism" occurred, it split all the churches (with Bishops) from the Church in Rome. I saw that it isn't possible IMO for one church to break off from all the others, and be more correct than the majority.

2. I didn't really lose faith in the Christian Church, instead, I learned that another church was the true church.

3. & 4. I began researching through the Bible how the original church worshiped. And one day, I met a member of CF named OrthodoxyUSA and he told me about the EO church and told me how they worship and I learned more about early Christian history. I then learned that the EO church is the true church.

[Auntie]

In fact auntie, it is b/c I've been a member of the Disciples of Christ that I'm interested in Orthodoxy. I knew form the start that my church isn't the original one, and I wanted to know what the original church was like and whether it still existed today. Our church is close, but it still isn't in communion with the original church.


ahhh.....I understand.

As for me, my interest in the Catholic church was not real strong, but I watched EWTN almost every day, and then my husband became very interested in the Catholic church. So I decided I should learn everything I could about it.

But now I am somewhat disillusioned. They have so many rules, so much so that I don't know how I am supposed to learn them all. It is a very difficult faith to learn. I imagine that the EO is the same way.

[88Devin07]

The only way you can find out is talk to a priest ;)

[Auntie]

Lots of questions lol

1. I haven't "studied" it, but through my research in Eastern Orthodoxy, I saw that in 1054, the "Great Schism" occurred, it split all the churches (with Bishops) from the Church in Rome. I saw that it isn't possible IMO for one church to break off from all the others, and be more correct than the majority.

2. I didn't really lose faith in the Christian Church, instead, I learned that another church was the true church.

3. & 4. I began researching through the Bible how the original church worshiped. And one day, I met a member of CF named OrthodoxyUSA and he told me about the EO church and told me how they worship and I learned more about early Christian history. I then learned that the EO church is the true church.



Sorry for all the questions, but I do appreciate your answers :)

I guess I should study the EO, I don't really know that much about them.

[Auntie]

The only way you can find out is talk to a priest ;)

I would probably have to call another State to find an EO priest; I live in Alabama ;) :)

In my local phone book, we have literally hundreds of Baptist churches, Methodist, etc. We have one Catholic church, one Church of Christ, one First Christian, but no EO church.

[Auntie]

I did a search at OCA.org and found two EO churches in Alabama, both of them over 200 miles away from me.

But anyway, right now my brain needs to rest. I've been studying the Catholic church for a long time, and my brain is tired.

The First Christian church seemed like a nice place to rest for a while :) .

[WesWoodell]

What part of Alabama are you in ?

[Auntie]

Hi Wes,

I live in Lower Alabama - aka - L.A. :) :wave:

[Praying4Peace]

Hi,


I am trying to find people here at CF who are members of the First Christian Church - Disciples of Christ.


Is this the right place?

:wave: I was married in and attend a Disciples of Christ church.

For the poster who was wanting to know more about the denomination, check out disciples.org.

[Auntie]

:wave: I was married in and attend a Disciples of Christ church.

For the poster who was wanting to know more about the denomination, check out disciples.org.


Thank you Praying4Peace! :)

I will check that out, thanks! :wave: :hug:

[WesWoodell]

The major difference between the disciples of Christ and the Christian church is the role of women in ministry is it not?

[Auntie]

The major difference between the disciples of Christ and the Christian church is the role of women in ministry is it not?




The Christian Church and the Disciples of Christ are ONE and the same church, are they not? :confused: :confused:

I believe the official name is:

Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)

One church, not two.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[88Devin07]

your not wrong, but there is a denomination that broke from the Disciples of Christ

[WesWoodell]

The Christian Church and the Disciples of Christ are ONE and the same church, are they not? :confused: :confused:

I believe the official name is:

Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)

One church, not two.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

DoC Christian Churches are not the same as Christian Churches just like Churches of Christ aren't the same as the International Churches of Christ.

I checked it out and I believe that to be correct.

[svdbygrace]

I believe we have a "Christian Church", which has Holy Communion weekly, but is not part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

I actually have a few questions about the DoC Church.

Do you use/follow/have a liturgy?
Does your church follow the Christian Year (Advent, Christmastide, Lent, Eastertide, ect)?
What is your worship style similar to (denomination)?

Thanks in advance. :)

[88Devin07]

no
Some of those, Advent, Christmas, Easter, and Lent isn't really a fasting time.
Umm... We are blend of Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, etc... (we have ppl from all kinds of denominations except Catholics, Anglicans and Eastern Orthodox since we don't have the Eucharist or Divine Liturgy)

[Auntie]

Devin, if you don't mind me asking, I would also like to know more about the FCC/DOC.

Because it has been so many years since I attended a FCC/DOC, I want to know how much have they changed in the last 20 years?

To get right to the point, do they have women Pastors? (I hope not)

Do they consider homosexual behavior to be a sin? (I hope so)

Do they speak in tongues during services?

Do they regularly use drums, guitars, etc., during worship services?
Or do they pretty much stick to piano and organ?

I am wanting to go to a church service, but I don't want to be surprised when I get there. I always loved the FCC/DOC, and I sincerely HOPE they haven't changed too much over the years.

Thanks :) .

[88Devin07]

Dunno b/c i'm just 17
Not sure, i haven't heard of any in the DOC
Yes
No
Not many unless it's a special service (our church has a time for special music) by one of the members. From what i've seen, mostly piano and organ.

[Auntie]

Thanks Devin :)

It sounds like everything is pretty much the same, to my delight :wave:

[PaladinValer]

First off, here's a website of a DoCer that I find myself using for its usually orthodox content and other info-packed pages: http://www.kencollins.com/

They are from the "Restorationist" Movement but are far more mainline and moderate than most others.

[svdbygrace]

I also use that resource quite often, as I find it very helpful in many areas of the faith. :)

[Praying4Peace]

I believe we have a "Christian Church", which has Holy Communion weekly, but is not part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

I attend a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that serves Communion weekly. My previous CC (DoC) did the same.

I actually have a few questions about the DoC Church.

What is your worship style similar to (denomination)?
I was raised a Catholic and find similarities in my CC (DoC) services. There are also a lot of what I would call standard Protestant elements, like the "Children's Moment" where the children gather at the front for a short lesson then proceed to Children's Church.

Here's the structure of our services...

Opening Hymn
Sign of Peace (Catholic-like, shake hands, "Peace be with you")
Children's Moment
Prayers of the People (addresses prayer requests from the congregation)
Pastoral Prayer
Song from the Choir
Psalm sung by one member and Response sang by the congregation (Another Catholic-like moment)
Bible Reading and Sermon (Sort of like the Catholic Homily)
Another Hymn
Prayer followed a short sung response
Offering
Prayer said partially by minister and partially as a congregation
Communion all come to the front of the church (Catholic-like) break off a piece of bread and dip it in grape juice or wine - your choice, children may take communion
The Lord's Prayer (in unison)
Prayer of Thanksgiving (in unison)
Closing Hymn
Join hands and sing in unison (same song each week)
Benediction

We have three services. The 1st and 3rd are more traditional while the second is more "folksy". I attend the more traditional service.

[svdbygrace]

I attend a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that serves Communion weekly. My previous CC (DoC) did the same.


I was raised a Catholic and find similarities in my CC (DoC) services. There are also a lot of what I would call standard Protestant elements, like the "Children's Moment" where the children gather at the front for a short lesson then proceed to Children's Church.

Here's the structure of our services...

Opening Hymn
Sign of Peace (Catholic-like, shake hands, "Peace be with you")
Children's Moment
Prayers of the People (addresses prayer requests from the congregation)
Pastoral Prayer
Song from the Choir
Psalm sung by one member and Response sang by the congregation (Another Catholic-like moment)
Bible Reading and Sermon (Sort of like the Catholic Homily)
Another Hymn
Prayer followed a short sung response
Offering
Prayer said partially by minister and partially as a congregation
Communion all come to the front of the church (Catholic-like) break off a piece of bread and dip it in grape juice or wine - your choice, children may take communion
The Lord's Prayer (in unison)
Prayer of Thanksgiving (in unison)
Closing Hymn
Join hands and sing in unison (same song each week)
Benediction

We have three services. The 1st and 3rd are more traditional while the second is more "folksy". I attend the more traditional service.

Thank you! :wave: :)

[Praying4Peace]

Hey, glad I could help. Let me know if you have any more questions I might try to help you with.

[Lawless]

hello

[Lawless]

hello

[Theophorus]

Hello lawless. Just a note to let you know people do ocassionally drop by.

[Freedom&Light]

Hi felloe DoC'ers- please take a minute to support our own faith icon here ->
http://www.christianforums.com/t1951840-disciples-of-christ-icon.html

And auntie, you and I are in the same boat- looking for a nice orthodox place to rest for awhile. :)

[Auntie]

Hi felloe DoC'ers- please take a minute to support our own faith icon here ->
http://www.christianforums.com/t1951840-disciples-of-christ-icon.html

And auntie, you and I are in the same boat- looking for a nice orthodox place to rest for awhile. :)



Hi Freedom&Light :wave: . Hope you are doing well.

[Auntie]

I attend a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that serves Communion weekly. My previous CC (DoC) did the same.


I was raised a Catholic and find similarities in my CC (DoC) services. There are also a lot of what I would call standard Protestant elements, like the "Children's Moment" where the children gather at the front for a short lesson then proceed to Children's Church.

Here's the structure of our services...

Opening Hymn
Sign of Peace (Catholic-like, shake hands, "Peace be with you")
Children's Moment
Prayers of the People (addresses prayer requests from the congregation)
Pastoral Prayer
Song from the Choir
Psalm sung by one member and Response sang by the congregation (Another Catholic-like moment)
Bible Reading and Sermon (Sort of like the Catholic Homily)
Another Hymn
Prayer followed a short sung response
Offering
Prayer said partially by minister and partially as a congregation
Communion all come to the front of the church (Catholic-like) break off a piece of bread and dip it in grape juice or wine - your choice, children may take communion
The Lord's Prayer (in unison)
Prayer of Thanksgiving (in unison)
Closing Hymn
Join hands and sing in unison (same song each week)
Benediction

We have three services. The 1st and 3rd are more traditional while the second is more "folksy". I attend the more traditional service.


Praying4Peace,

Great post, thank you.

[Auntie]

First off, here's a website of a DoCer that I find myself using for its usually orthodox content and other info-packed pages: http://www.kencollins.com/

They are from the "Restorationist" Movement but are far more mainline and moderate than most others.


Thanks for the link! :wave: :)

[PraiseToHim]

I am totally fascinated by this subject. Can you guys please discuss the beliefs of EO and First Christian? I would like to just sit back and read if you don't mind, maybe pop in with a question here or there.


Lisa

Me too, I know so little about them, especially the Orthodox.

[pastoroats]

Life will not give you anything better than you give to it. Give life the best and get the best out of life

[12345678and9]

Just wanted to say hello. I am a newbie...God bless.



~If human love were measured by perfection, than love would cease to exist~
~Distance is only anticipation of greater things to come~ (douggorman)

[sweetpunkin]

I just wanted to remind everyone this Christmas Season to not let it become to commercialized for you! Jesus is the reason for the season .. ya know. God loves each one of us.. I thank God for that many times in my day. This is my first time to a christian site for chat.