Disciple of Christ History

For the first few years following the War for Independence (1776-81), when the original thirteen colonies became the United Stares of America, religion in the new country was at a low ebb. Unlike the early colonial period when religion played a major role in settling the New World, these early years of the United States were marked by indifference and some hostility to organized religion. By the year 1800, scarcely 10 percent of the United States poputaltion belonged to any church.

Most of the main churches brought from Europe --Puritans(Congregationalists), Anglicans(Episcopalians), Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists-- were divided into various factions, warring among themselves over differences in doctrine and church practices. These differences increased as people, moved by a spirit of freecom and individualism, set out to make a new lives for themselves on the North American frontier. These rugged pioneers found that practices of the "Old World" demoninations held little meaning for their new lifestyles.

Consequently, various groups began to emerge, seeking to adapt the doctrine and thought of the churches to the needs of persons in the New World.

Below are pictures of four men who are generally considered "founding fathers" of the Christian Church(Disciples of Christ). Each made significant, unique, and enduring contributions to the emerging movement.

Click on any picture to see more about the Restoration Movement.

Alexander Campbell

Thomas Campbell

Walter Scott

Barton Stone

The Mission Imperative of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

In our quest to embody Christian unity,

led and empowered by the Holy Spirit,

we believe God calls us:

Our Vision

To be a faithful , growing church, that demonstrates true community, deep Christian spirituality and

a passion for justice (Micah 6:8)

Our Mission

To be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, withnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps

"to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8)

Our Imperitive

To strengthen congregational life for this mission (Ephesians 4:11-13, 15-16)

To accomplish this we shall:

Become the Good News

    Nurturing faith

     Practicing and teaching the spiritual disciplines

     Fostering Disciples identity

    Renewing congregational life

   Developing leaders

Share the Good News

    Emphasizing ministry with children, youth, young adults and families

    Doing evangelism

    Establishing new congregations, Creating ministries with older adults

Serve from "our doorsteps to the ends of the earth"

     Engaging in ministries of reconcilliation, compassion, unity, and justice.

Our Covenant

In accepting our Vision, Mission and Imperative, we affirm our need to:

* be an anti-racist/pro-reconciliation church * strengthen relationships among all manifestations of the church * share mutually and more fully the stewardship of God's gifts of our life in Christ *encourage our growing diversity within our church family and community * work with our many ecumenical and global partners to heal the brokenness of the body of Christ and the human community.

(Approved by the General Board of the Christian Church [Disciples of Christ] July 24, 2000)

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Southeast Area Churches Praying for Churches

Please ask your congregation to be in prayer each week for the following congregations:

July 6

Healdton, First Christian Church Pastor David Hand

July 13

Heavener, First Christian Church Rev. Stephen Haney

July 20

Holdenville, First Christian Church Pastor Kevin Worden

July 27

Hugo, First Christian Church Pastor

August 3

Idabel, First Christian Church Rev. Paul Redden

August 10

Marietta, First Christian Church Rev. Craig Rutherford

August 17

McAlester, First Christian Church Pastor

August 24

Okemah, First Christian Church Pastor Jeannie McMahan

August 31

Pauls Valley, First Christian Church Pastor Robin Spurling

September 7

Seminole, First Christian Church Rev. Glen Pence

September 14

Stigler, First Christian Church Rev. Dr. Jim Caton

September 21

Sulphur, First Christian Church Rev. Joe Howard

September 28

Tecumseh, First Christian Church Rev. Bill Crawford

October 5

Weleetka, First Christian Church Rev. Leo Brown

October 12

Wetumka, First Christian Church Rev. Billie Lee

October 19

Wewoka, First Christian Church Pastor Neil Thompson

October 26

Ada, First Christian Church Rev. Vicki Crooks

November 2

Ardmore, First Christian Church Rev. Truman Ferguson

November 9

Durant, First Christian Church Rev. Jon Goeringer

November 16

Hartshorne, First Christian Church Pastor James Dixon

November 23

Healdton, First Christian Church Pastor David Hand

November 30

Heavener, First Christian Church Rev. Stephen Haney

December 7

Holdenville, First Christian Church Pastor Kevin Worden

December 14

Hugo, First Christian Church Pastor

December 21

Idabel, First Christian Church Rev. Paul Redden

Marietta, First Christian Church Rev. Craig Rutherford

December 28

403 West Muskogee St
Sulphur, OK 73086
580-622-3257
fccsulphur@brightok.net