The Central Christian Church, Austin, Texas, is identified with the fellowship known as the Disciples of Christ (
www.disciples.org),
more familiarly known in the South as The Christian Church. We are a
part of the largest Protestant body distinctly of American origin.
The Christian Church is thoroughly democratic in its organization. Each
congregation is an autonomous unit and exercises the right to formulate
its own policies of procedure and its own program of Christian service.
However, in the interest of efficiency and for the purpose of united
strength, the principle of cooperation is observed and practiced in all
the great interests which have a claim upon the Church -- local,
regional, national, and international.
In all things that pertain to the work, the business, and the policies
of the local congregation, each member has an equal voice with every
other member. It is our conviction that this kind of organization is
thoroughly consonant with the spirit of the democratic movement under
which it had its birth, thereby is especially suited to serve the
spiritual needs of the citizens of a democracy.
Everything in the life of this church -- the name we wear, the
teachings we share, the ordinances we observe, the life we live --
everything comes out of an earnest desire to do and teach all things as
they were done and taught by the Apostles who were working under the
commission of Jesus Christ. In this church one does not hear an unkind
word about anybody's religion. No uncharitable judgments are passed
among us upon any fellow human being.
In all matters of Bible interpretation and religious thought and
theological concept, our members are accorded the freedom of private
interpretation and the right (and responsibility!) to individual
thought and judgment. No attempt is made to impose a set of formulated
doctrines or traditional interpretations of religious thoughts on any
member. Jesus Christ is our only standard and pattern. Because of this
position people of varying shades of religious thought and theological
viewpoints find a congenial fellowship within the family of Disciples
of Christ.
We practice the two New Testament Ordinances. We keep the Ordinance of
Communion every Lord's Day. The Loaf, representing Christ's body, and
the Cup, representing Christ's blood, are passed by our Deacons and
Deaconesses to the entire congregation. You do not need to be a member
of our congregation to partake. If you are in the love relationship
with Christ, you are thrice welcome.
We practice the ordinance of Christian baptism by immersion. We believe
that in being baptized, we are privileged to take the part of Christ in
a passion play or drama of His life. As Christ was buried in the tomb,
so we are buried beneath the waters of baptism. As Christ rose from the
tomb to the glory of a new life, so we rise from the waters of baptism,
"to follow in his steps".
This congregation does not baptize infants nor enroll them as members.
But when young people reach the age of accountability, they make own
decisions. We do, at special times, observe a Service of Thanksgiving
and Blessing for Little Children and their parents. At this time,
parents pledge themselves to rear their children in keeping with the
ideals and principles of Christian life and character.
The Functional Committees and the Fellowship Groups and the Sunday
School Classes of our congregation include many phases of missionary,
benevolence, social service and community interest and offer the
members numerous opportunities for expression of every available talent
and ability. The program of the church is designed to meet the
spiritual, social, and intellectual needs of all who come within its
bounds and influence.
