Worship and Sacrament

The beliefs and worship practices of the Disciples are similar to those in a number of other denominations. This is summarized by Rev. Kenneth Teegarden, General Minister and President Emeritus:

We Disciples have beliefs and practices in common with all sorts of Christians. These apparent similarities sometimes are superficial, sometimes fundamental. We baptize by immersion, so we look like Baptists. We have Communion every Sunday, so we look a bit like Roman Catholic. We stress the ministry of the laity, so we look a little like Quakers. Our congregations call their pastors rather than accepting assigned ministers, so in that respect we look like Presbyterians. We rely heavily on preaching and teaching, so we look somewhat like Methodists. We have congregational government, so we look a lot like the United Church of Christ.

Disciples worship is often marked by strong involvement of the laity. Individual congregations are free to determine the format and style of worship, liturgy, and the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Communion. The Sacrament of Baptism by immersion is given to youth or adult believers. Since infants are not baptized, they are often welcomed into the life of the congregation through a ritual known as dedication.

Most congregations celebrate the sacrament of Communion (also called the Lord's Supper) on a weekly basis. Lay elders often preside at the Lord's Table, which is open to all the baptized. In the case of baptized children (who have been baptized as infants in other denominations), the decision of whether a child should participate in communion is left to the parents, though a congregation may provide guidelines.

To become a member of the Disciples, one is asked to affirm the Good Confession: "I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16).