Disciples History Moment for Sept 22, 2024
“We are a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one Body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.”*
That simple identification of who we are as Disciples has its historical roots in our founders: Barton Stone, Thomas and Alexander Campbell, and Walter Scott. They thought the fragmented Christian world was not a good witness to the unity of Christ but was, in fact, a witness to the disunity of Christ. Historically, the Church has argued and accused its brothers and sisters of not being Christian—or Christian enough. And so, the Christian world became fragmented within a fragmented world.
The name/word “disciple” means learner and follower. As Disciples of Christ, we are trying to learn and trying to follow Jesus more nearly and dearly. And we are not arrogant enough to think that we have this “Christian” thing all figured out. One thing we are pretty confident in, is that most people are trying to follow Jesus as best they can—be they Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Orthodox, Presbyterian or one of the thousand other Christian denominations. We believe we are Christians because we confess / believe in Jesus as the Christ; but we don’t believe we are the only Christians. Despite some other Christians not believing we are Christians, we believe other Christians are just that…Christians. And as our Lord welcomed his imperfect disciples to the last supper, we, too, welcome all and exclude none at the Lord’s Table, every Sunday. That is our history, and that is what we believe. And, that is why we strive to be a church for wholeness in a fragmented world.
Rev. Kevin K. Adams
*Identity Statement of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Comentários