Welcome!

Welcome to the First Christian Church, Norman—a community joined together in a reverent, thoughtful, loving quest for faith.

It is our hope that you will experience God’s love as you share in our worship and congregational life and you will want to join us in our common ministry. Please feel free to contact us if you have additional questions, or if we can be supportive in your personal quest for faith.

Please enjoy browsing the web site to learn more about the ministry of First Christian Church. Welcome!

As members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we face the challenge of articulating a descriptive approach to faith that tends to be expansive in proclamation, embracing of diversity, and inclusive in practice. Such an approach to faith does not so simply reduce into a neat "top ten list" of orthodox beliefs. And yet, it is not the case—as is sometimes leveled at the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)—that our church just "believes anything," or "believes nothing."

It is crucial—especially now—that we become "graceful articulators" (i.e., graceful "good news" bearers) about what typifies the beliefs and practices of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Popular preacher and professor Fred Craddock has written a summary statement that is descriptive and helpful—

• That the Table of the Lord is central in weekly worship. To this Table, all are welcomed; at this Table, Christ is remembered; and around this Table, believers serve as priests to each other, offering to one another the bread and cup of remembrance.
• That the only question asked of those who present themselves for baptism is the question of belief in God as revealed in the One God sent for us and our salvation, Jesus the Christ.
• That persons who come from other Christian traditions are welcome without suspicion or condition, and their own memories of worship and work are respected.
• That the opportunity and responsibility of leadership is available to men and women alike.
• That every occasion to join other Christians in worship and in service to human need is happily embraced.
• That the "whosoever will" of Jesus is the fundamental conviction undergirding the public witness of the church, and therefore, cultural concerns of race, gender, income, education, or social standing have absolutely no place in the church.
• That the gifts of God for ministry belong to all the people.
• That the study of Scripture is a lifetime commitment, with the clear knowledge that as a result, minds change and faith is continually making new discoveries.
• That the church never raises the question of worthiness in the exercise of benevolence and care.
• That the freedom of the congregation shall not be understood as grounds for isolation or withdrawal from the common life and work of Disciples everywhere.
• That judgement belongs to God alone.

Craddock is proclaiming principles that are descriptive of the Christian Church, and that First Christian Church, Norman affirms. You may also want to visit the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) national web site at www.disciples.org.