I Corinthians 14:40 - "But all things should be done decently and in order". As a denomination, we have organized ourselves in local churches that stand independent of hierachial bodies. State and nation organizations are in service for cooperative missionary efforts, local congregations, and witnessing for the corporate church at their respective levels. Each individual congregation is self-governed. THE DESIGN FOR THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ) And interpretation by Noelridge Christian Church 1. 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. We are more concerned about who people believe in than we are about specific doctrinal differences that thiking Christains will inevitably have. We don't have any statement of creed, beyond Matthew 16:16, where we affirm that Jesus in Christ, the Son of the Living God. However, we are also a church of the Bible. With freedom of belief comes the responsibility that whatever stance you take must be grounded in the Word of God. 2. In Christ's name, and by His grace, we accept our mission of witness and service to all people. 3. We rejoice in God, maker of Heaven and earth, and in the covenant of love which binds us to God and one another. (2-3) When people are left to their own devices, they tend to act in ways which are destructive to themselves, their families, and their neighbors. The Bible says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Therefore, we must rely upon God's grace. This witness of our salvation is our mission to all people. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has always been motivated by the fact that the chruch of Jesus Christ is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one. This is why we have always been at forefront of ecumenical movements. We try to avoid dogmatic stands that could bring division, while remaining Scriptural. This allows a diversity in one's personal faith. 4. Through baptism into Christ, we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God. Acts 2:38-"Repent and be baptized, every on of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for forgiveness of your sins". Baptism follows the confession of faith, as a sign of new life. The Biblical, normative form of immersion in water is used. Although baptism is required, we recognize that in other faiths, Christians baptize differently. Through transfer of membership, we accept those varied forms of baptism. 5. In the communion of the Holy Spirit, we are joined together in discipleship and in obedience to Christ. I Corinthians 12:7-"To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." The Holy Spirit comes to empower, gift, and guide us in our walk of faith and our service, for the building up of the body of Christ, His church. We embrace and affirm petitionary prayer, meditative prayer, and baptism of the Holy Spirit as viable communions with the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 12:12-13-"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ, for by one Spirit we were baptized into one body, Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and all were made to drink of the one Spirit". 6. At the table of the Lord, we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ. The Lord's Supper is the most appropriate means of celebrating the continuing presence of the living Christ among us. Therefore, communion is always regarded as central to worship. In the celebration of the Eucharist, we renew our commitment to Christ. 7. Within the universal church, we receive the gift of ministry and the light of Scripture. We know the Scriptures to be another of God's revealing acts, and trust the Scriptures to be the present and closest possible account of the writer's experience with God's revelation. The Bible is the highest court of appeal in discerning faith. We do not insist on any one translation or interpretation of Scripture. 8. In the bonds of Christian faith, we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the One whose kingdon has no end. Blessing, glory and honor be to God forever. Amen. Faith is effective when it is reflected in what we teach, proclaim and do. As individuals and as the church, our faith must reflect compassion and love through service toward others. The service we offer is not out of obligation to God, but out of thanksgiving for the grace that we have received. It is written, "So as you have done to these, you have done to Me also" (Matthew 25:40)