Franklin Central Christian Church

Mission Statement

GRACE

Growing in faith and vision

Reaching out into the world in Christ's name

Accepting one another as Christ has accepted us

Caring for all that God has created

Extending Gospel hospitality and love to all

Franklin Central Christian Church History:

Franklin Central Christian Church began on November 18, 1962 with the first organizational meeting taking place at the home of Dr. and Mrs. L.W. Jefferies in Wanamaker, Indiana.  Rev. Ronald Secrist was our organizing minister.  In April, 1963, we called our first full-time pastor, the Rev. Orville Williams.  We worshipped at the Franklin Central High School Auditorium. 

We celebrated Charter Day for Franklin Central Christian Church on Pentecost Sunday, June 2, 1963.  During it's first year the congregation purchased a parsonage on Eaton Drive.  The first unit of the church was built in 1967 at the corner of Franklin Road and Southeastern Ave. on 4.5 acres.  In 1973, ground was broken for the second unit of the building. This addition included six new classrooms, a new parking lot and converting the fellowship hall into a sanctuary.  In 1997, we completed the second remodeling of our sanctuary and added a gathering room, a new kitchen and a new entryway.  In 2009, a new playground and picnic shelter were added to the church property. 

Who we are...

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a body of approximately 800,000 Christian believers in some 3,700 congregations in the United States and Canada.

Our mission comes straight out of the New Testament part of the Bible. It's our mission to be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, loving, witnessing and serving from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.

We believe that God is calling us to be a faithful, growing church that demonstrates true community, deep Christian spirituality and a passion for justice.

In 1832, two American frontier religious movements came together. One, led by Barton Stone, called itself simply, "Christians." Thomas and Alexander Campbell's group was called "Disciples of Christ." One important belief back then and now is that people shouldn't be forced to put faith in creeds but only in Jesus Christ. Another strong belief is that God wants churches to be in unity instead of in pieces.

Basic Beliefs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

As written by Richard L. Spleth, Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Indiana

How do you describe our church to others? As members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) we do not have the "brand name" recognition of some other denominations, and to some degree that is good. We never set out to be a denomination in the first place, but rather to be a movement to foster the unity of the church for the sake of Christ's mission. Nevertheless, we evolved into a distinct group within the universal church and as such have a particular identity and culture.

How do you explain this in your evangelistic outreach? Here is a list of ten attributes that identify and clarify the combination of things that are unique to the Disciples.

Note that I said combination. There is no single thing true about our church that is not also true of others. We practice a form of Christianity that is linked with the practices of other fellowships of Christians, but the combination is a distinctive one, and a healthy one too, I believe. The things that together identify the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) include these:

The weekly observance of the Lord's Supper
Disciples' life is centered at the table. Through communion we are connected to one another and to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Believer's baptism by immersion
Following the earliest tradition of the church, we demonstrate our commitment to God by dramatic action, letting the waters of our baptism give witness to God's grace upon us.

Open membership
Recognizing that the traditions of the whole church are many and varied, we do not insist that our baptismal practice is the only one that is valid. We know that baptism is God's action far more than our own.

An attitude of tolerance and a rejection of creeds as tests of faith
We celebrate diversity as strength rather than weakness, and do not expect everyone's interpretation of the Bible or the Christian life to be identical.

The importance of scripture
We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and is best heard and understood within the community of faith with the diverse insight that context provides.

Congregational yet voluntarily connectional
We give the local congregation authority over their life and ministries, and yet share resources freely with a connected church, our denomination, knowing that the mission of the church is not just local.

The inclusion of the leadership of women
We believe that God provides spiritual gifts to all and do not restrict any office or role in the life of the church by gender.

An emphasis on lay leadership
Aside from performing weddings which is regulated by the state, lay persons in our church are permitted and encouraged to do all things, including presiding and offering the Eucharistic prayers at the Lord's Table, often restricted to ordained clergy in other denominations.

An educated clergy
We set educational and professional standards for ministers-licensed and ordained, and hold our clergy to ethical accountability through denominational oversight.

A priority on ecumenical life
Disciples earnestly pray and strive for the unity of the church and attempt to work in ways that bridge the separation of Christ's body.

It would be difficult to find this combination of characteristics anywhere but within the Disciples. I hope these ten attributes are valued by you, and that you, too, will use them as you attempt to describe our church to others, inviting them to join us in serving Christ.