Statement and Principles of Identity
We are Opportunity Christian Church (DOC) members of the Disciples of Christ, 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.
We affirm the scriptures in Micah 6:8 To be a faithful, growing church, that demonstrates true community,
deep Christian spirituality and a passion for justice and Acts 1:8 to be and to share the Good News of Jesus
Christ, witnessing, loving, and serving from our doorsteps “to the ends of the earth.”
1. We confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of
the world, requiring nothing more - and nothing less - as a basis of our life together.
2. We hold the centrality of scripture, recognizing that each person has the freedom - and the
responsibility - to study God's Word within the community of the church.
3. We practice the baptism of believers, which emphasizes that God's grace demands a response of faith
and discipleship, while also recognizing the baptism performed in other churches.
4. We gather for the Lord's Supper, as often as possible, experiencing at this table the gracious, forgiving
presence of Jesus Christ.
5. We structure our community around the biblical idea of covenant, emphasizing not obedience to human
authority but accountability to one another because of our shared obedience to Christ.
6. We participate in God's mission for the world, working with partners to heal the brokenness of
creation and bring justice and peace to the whole human family.
7. We hear a special calling to make visible the unity of all Christians, proclaiming that in our diversity we
belong to one another because we commonly belong to Christ.
8. We witness to the Gospel of God's saving love for the world in Jesus Christ, while continuing to
struggle with how God's love may be known to others in different ways.
9. We affirm the priesthood of all believers, rejoicing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit - which include the gift
of leadership - that God has given for the common good.
10. We celebrate the diversity of our common life, affirming our different histories, styles of worship, and
forms of service.
11. We give thanks that each congregation, where Christ is present through faith, is truly the church,
affirming as well that God's church and God's mission stretch from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.
12. We anticipate God's coming reign, seeking to serve the God - Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer -
whose loving dominion has no end.
13. The red chalice. Has been the symbol of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1969. It
reflects the importance of the Holy Communion as the heart of our worship. The chalice also bears the Cross
of Saint Andrew, the national cross of Scotland. This reflects the Scottish roots of our founders. St. Andrew
was also a proponent of evangelism and the importance of the laity--both of which are emphasized by
Disciples today.
| WHAT DISCIPLES BELIEVE |
Opportunity Christian Church
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