In the Beginning
Born out of the experiences of the American frontier, the Christian Church (DOC) is the first church body founded on American soil. 19th century pioneers were drawn to the Christian Church because of its commitment to a basic biblical faith, the unity of all believers, and the freedom of members to read and interpret the Scriptures for themselves. We also claim NOT to be the only Christians, just Christians!
First Christian Church continues to hold to these essential commitments, affirming that we are all “pioneers” in the Journey of Faith, which is the Christian Life. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) today counts over one million members in more than four thousand congregations in North America.
In the Spring of 1876, a handful of Hiawatha disciples gathered in the old Brown County Courthouse to participate in the very first church service. On April 14, 1878, the First Christian Church was organized with a membership of 27 members, and one month later, the present site of this church was purchased. The first communion service was held on May 25, 1878 with Elder W.P. Hull in charge. By August 13 of that year the foundation was laid for the building although a fire destroyed the building in October 19, 1878 before it could be completed. Reconstruction was undertaken and as the new church grew and was dedicated one year later on October 19, 1879, so did the numbers of the congregation. The wooden church of 1879 gave way to the current red brick building which was dedicated in February 11, 1923. Major renovation was done in 1987.
Each Disciples of Christ congregation functions by itself, determines its own business, needs and policies, and owns its own property. The congregation is directed by an Official Board elected from the body of the congregation, and is democratic in nature. Therefore, the people in the congregation have the final authority in all decisions. While there is no ecclesiastical hierarchy, we do cooperate with our General Assembly and Regional (Kansas) headquarters, enabling us to minister more effectively in outreach, benevolent, and education programs.
Our Mission
We, the congregation of First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Hiawatha, Kansas, believe we are called by the Holy Spirit through the teaching of Jesus Christ to do the work of God on earth. To accomplish this we shall commit our resources to serve and nurture all people.
We accept our responsibility to proclaim God’s Grace and Truth in Jesus the Christ. We desire to proclaim the gospel of Jesus the Christ through all areas of our church life and work, witnessing at all times in word and action, thereby seeking in all persons a response in faith and commitment to God.
We, the Disciples of the First Christian Church join with the church universal in accepting Jesus the Christ as the Son of God and our Lord and Savior. Responding to God’s continuing call, we strive to hear and discern God’s will while being a caring, loving, and accepting people. We experience God’s grace and strive to help others to experience that grace as well, as we share the Good News of God by thought, word and deed with all people.
We Believe in....
GOD ― Revealed in many ways, mainly through Jesus. God’s plan is personal for each of us. There is but one God and Creator, sustainer and director of the universe who loves us and saves us through His Son, Jesus the Christ.
CHRIST ― The Child of the living God and part of God’s own divinity. The Child of man and woman living on earth as human. Our Savior, with us always. Christian faith is centered in the person of Jesus the Christ, and the acceptance of Him as Savior and Lord.
SPIRIT ― Our Guide and Friend in the Christian Journey. The living presence of God is with us always in the Holy Spirit.
BIBLE ― The story of God’s Love for humankind. It is a story of “salvation history.” The Bible is God’s Word. With due respect and study we look upon the New Testament as our rule of faith and practice. We believe in the right of private interpretation and individual freedom of opinion. We try to follow the teachings of God’s word. We do not worship the Bible, but as God’s nature and will be revealed in Scripture, we claim the Bible as our guide for Christian living and faith. The Bible reveals God’s purpose in the world: to free us from sin through Christ so we might be obedient to Him and be saved.
EDUCATION ― We believe that Christian education is a vital part of the Christian life and is keeping with Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 28:20, “...teaching them all that I have commanded you.” Therefore our church teaches from the Bible so that all persons may respond to God in faith and love. From this they may become aware of God’s self-disclosure, and especially of God’s redeeming love as revealed in Jesus Christ for them. From this they may:
† KNOW who they are and what their human situation means;
† GROW as children of God rooted in the Christian community;
† LIVE in the Spirit of God in every relationship;
† FULFILL their common discipleship in the world; and
† ABIDE in the Christian hope.
In Our Church....
† We practice believers’ baptism by immersion (Acts 2:38 and Romans 6:1-5) which is an act by which we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God. If someone has been baptized by their own decision, in a different manner and is satisfied with that baptism, we do not require that they be “re-baptized” in order to become a member. In the baptism of a believer, the believer bears witness to the intention of following Christ by being “buried” in baptism and raised to walk in the newness of life.
† Communion is open to all Christians. We join with the Holy Spirit in discipleship and in obedience to Christ. This is a central and vital part of our worship each Sunday. This reminds us of the hospitality we are called to show to every one of God’s children all the time. Communion is served to shut-ins as well.
† Membership is based solely on confession of faith in Jesus Christ. There is no official creed or theology as a “test of fellowship.” Christianity begins with one’s acceptance of Jesus Christ. “We have no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible.” This means we do not want to tie the believer to man-made doctrine. Disciples are called together around the one essential of faith: belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Beyond this simple confession of faith we have no right to require a test of fellowship. Christians may be received into membership by transfer from the church of which he/she has been a member.
† All members are “ministers,” entitled to interpret the Scriptures and perform church functions. We believe in the priesthood of all believers, which means the individual believer is entitled and required to interpret the scriptures according to their own experience. This also describes our conviction that every confessing Disciple has a vocation of servant hood.
† We respect freedom and diversity in worship, opinion, and lifestyle while lifting up the unity of all people in Christ’s Love. We believe in the dignity of persons. Human beings are a creation of God and made in God’s image.
† We believe in the justice of God, that all people are on level ground before God, no one stands taller than anyone else, for God’s grace is for all.
The essence of whom and what we are can best be found in the Preamble to the Design—an overture statement summarizing Disciples’ orientation:
The First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
The Design for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
As members of the Christian Church we confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.
In Christ’s name and by his grace we accept our mission of witness and service to all people.
We rejoice in God, maker of heaven and earth, and in the covenant of love which binds us to God and one another.
Through baptism into Christ we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God.
In the communion of the Holy Spirit we are joined together in discipleship and in obedience to Christ.
At the table of the Lord we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ.
Within the universal church we receive the gift of ministry and the light of scripture. In the bonds of the Christian faith we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the One whose kingdom has no end. Blessing, glory and honor be to God forever. Amen
Our Overall Goals
† To foster Spiritual Growth through:
Worship
Education
Bible Study
Nurturing
Guidance
Service
† To commit our personal and material resources to local and global missions
† To seek out and help provide for the special needs of our congregation and community