We are excited to let you know there was an article about us in the Santa Barbara Independent!   You can still see it on the paper's website - here's the link:  http://www.independent.com/news/2008/jan/20/first-christian-church/   If the "Your Worship" article has piqued your interest then come worship with us - we would love to have you share in our Sunday worship - to see more check out the rest of our website!

First Christian Church of Santa Barbara

Statement of Calling

     The mission of First Christian Church is to be disciples of Jesus Christ as we serve the greater Santa Barbara area, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in both word and deed. We seek to be a congregation of all ages, races and cultures that provides a warm and open community of sharing and healing ministry.

     We seek to accomplish this mission through:

• Joyful, uplifting worship centered on the Lord's Table, with inspirational and heart-felt music, and thoughtful and stimulating preaching rooted in scripture.
• Nurturing programs of Christian education that help adults, youth and children develop a genuine and purposeful Christian faith.
• Small groups that meet spiritual, social and emotional needs.
• Fun and relaxing recreational and fellowship activities.
• Congregational opportunities to serve the poor, the lonely, and the lost.

     We are succeeding in this mission when a growing number of people develop a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ by participating in these ministries and programs. We are so excited about our faith in Jesus Christ that we are regularly sharing the good news of God's love.

OUR BASIC BELIEFS

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) is the largest church with its beginning on american soil, as a “People of the Book,” with its deepest roots in the new testament.  We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world and God’s own Son, come to the world.  The LORD’S SUPPER was the distinctive way of worship in the new testament church.  The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) continues to observe this weekly, as a memorial to our Lord and because “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread,” (Acts 20:7 KJV ).  Recognizing all christians as brothers and sisters, we invite all people who acknowledge Jesus as the Christ to partake of the Lord’s supper.  We practice an open communion.   “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28 KJV).  The SPIRIT OF THE CHURCH seeks to bind all christians in their love for Christ and for God’s word.  In searching for unity among christians, all people are urged to interpret the scriptures for their own lives, believing that all christians can serve together when seeking:  “In essentials…Unity!  In non-essentials… Liberty!  In all things…Charity!”

A Disciples Affirmation

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 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.