Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a Protestant denomination that emerged from the American frontier religious revivals of the early 19th century. They emphasize the Bible as the sole rule of faith and practice, do not require adherence to a specific creed, and typically practice believer's baptism by immersion.12

The movement has three main branches, all stemming from a common origin. One branch, the Churches of Christ, strictly adheres to the New Testament as a model and rejects interdenominational activities. Another, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), functions as a denomination committed to mission and service, engaging in ecumenical efforts. A third group, the Undenominational Fellowship of Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, maintains independence from formal denominational structures.1

Originally, the Disciples sought to restore the "ancient order" of the church, rejecting human creeds and emphasizing the union of all Christians and weekly celebration of the Lord's Supper. They have also engaged with social issues, with varying stances on topics like slavery and pacifism, and have increasingly supported social justice causes in recent decades.13