Frequently Asked Questions
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was first established on the American Frontier in the early 1800’s. Our denomination is rooted in the unity of Christ, recognizing the need to have openness and diversity in practice and belief.
Disciples of Christ are identified with “mainstream” Protestants. From past to present, Disciples have vigorously supported national and world programs of education, agricultural assistance, racial reconciliation, care of the developmentally disabled, and aid to victims of war and calamity. Our denomination has approximately 450,000 members in the United States and Canada, comprising more than 3,200 congregations.
Yes. After a two year process of discernment, our congregation voted to become (as evident in our mission, vision and welcoming statement) an official open and affirming congregation.
We WELCOME persons of all gender expressions and sexual orientations, we commit to including persons regardless of their gender expression or sexual orientation, welcoming all as Christ welcomes us. We do not use these attributes as a barrier to communion, membership, service, leadership, or employment in our ministry, nor as a barrier among those served.
We are publicly OPEN about who we are and who we are called to be. We celebrate our Open and Affirming status. We communicate our O&A status to Regional and General Church leadership, publish our O&A statement on our website, and proudly proclaim our identity as an Open & Affirming Congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
We are AFFIRMING and committed to preaching and teaching a gospel which understands that God does not reject or condemn people solely for their gender expression or sexual orientation (nor any of the other attributes listed in our Open & Affirming statement).
We are a healthy and vibrant congregation. On Sunday morning, our worship service averages around 150. We are large enough to have a number of different ministries and outreach services, but small enough to have strong community ties and sense of a church family.
Our Sunday morning service is a blend of traditional and contemporary elements and begins at 10:00 a.m.
Children are always welcomed and considered an important part of our Sunday morning worship service. We have a children’s moment at the start of every service. For those who would like to use the children’s nursery, we have experienced paid staff members in the nursery from 8:45 a.m. to 11 every Sunday.
We offer a variety Christian Education classes for adults at 9:00 a.m. each week. Sunday school for children from kindergarten to 5th grade begins around 10:15 a.m., just after the children’s moment during worship, and lasts for about 30 minutes.
The answer: people of all ages and backgrounds. In addition to having every age group represented—from infants to those well into their nineties—you will find individuals who are married, single, widowed, students, professionals, workers, retired, life-long residents of St. Louis and brand new residents. Most importantly, we have a firm belief that the kingdom of God welcomes everyone.
There is not a dress code on Sunday mornings. Some individuals feel most comfortable wearing their “Sunday best” and others dress more casually, wearing jeans and their favorite shirt. Either way is perfect.
Then we may be exactly what you are looking for. We have some members who have been life-long members of our denomination. But we have other members who come from a variety of different backgrounds—Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Methodists to name just a few.
Every Sunday, at each service, we offer communion. As Disciples of Christ, we believe that communion is open to all believers.
Senior Minister, Jacob Thorne: Jacob@disciplesforchrist.org
or contact the church office by email at office@disciplesforchrist.org or by phone at 636-394-2772