Union Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

FAQ

Union Avenue Christian Church is not just a place and is much more than a building. It is a caring community of people who desire an intimate relationship with God. There are some who desire to know God better and still others who have just begun their search for a relationship with God.

We are a community of diverse people that gathers to worship God, to pray, to learn from the Bible, to serve, to laugh, and to help each other. We are a collection of people who share the compelling belief that every person is valuable and was created with unique abilities and purpose.

Shared vision and core values have shaped this community of faith. We believe that together we can build a community that celebrates possibility and promise. Our challenge is to engage the heart, mind and soul in order to enhance the quality of life for ourselves and others.

We believe we can do this…we invite you to read on to learn more about our mission and vision, and the community of mutual respect we are building at Union Avenue Christian Church.

Union Avenue Christian Church is not just a place, and it is much more than a building. It is a caring community of people who desire an intimate relationship with God. There are some who desire to know God better and still others who have just begun their search for a relationship with God.

We are a community of diverse people that gathers to worship God, to serve, to learn from the Bible, to pray, to laugh, and to help each other. Shared vision and core values have shaped this community of faith. We believe that together we can build a community that celebrates possibility and the promise of God. Our challenge is to engage the heart, mind and soul in order to enhance the quality of life for ourselves and others. We believe we can do this, we invite you to read on to learn more about our mission and the community of mutual respect we are building at Union Avenue Christian Church.

What is the mission of Union Avenue Christian Church?

In recognition of our openness to God’s will in the life of our congregation, we have stated our mission as: Where diverse hearts and minds come together to worship God and to become Biblically informed, socially responsible, artistically alive, and to demonstrate Christ’s love.

What are the core values that hold this faith community together?

We are committed to worshipping God in a caring Christian community. We are committed to the study and open discussion of Jesus Christ and his teachings. We are committed to welcoming diversity in every way. We are committed to providing a Disciples of Christ church and witness in an urban location. We are committed to music and the arts as a way to praise God and involve our community in the life of our church. We are committed to reaching out to people throughout the St. Louis metro area, as well as extending our reach to global missions. Our ministry flows from the belief that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, the Lord and Savior of the world. Proclaiming that message is at the heart of all that we do.

What is the worship style of Union Avenue Christian Church?

Although classic in style, worship allows for informality and expression in various ways. A choir of renowned musical excellence deepens each service. Children have their own quiet corner in the sanctuary, and young children are offered opportunity to be together in our educational space during a portion of the worship service. Celebrating communion is a weekly focus of our worship. Everyone is invited to participate.

Our Senior Minister, Suzanne Webb, and our Associate Minister, Brian Kirk, have different preaching styles and offer those with intentionality to the congregation. Although their theology is quite compatible, their gifts are complementary rather than identical.

Is the congregation diverse?

The congregation is diverse in age, race, gender, sexual orientation, and political inclination. We celebrate and honor that diversity and welcome the struggle necessary to maintain it.

How should I dress to feel comfortable in your worship service?

The diversity of our congregation is exemplified in the comfort of our various dress styles. Often, there is someone in a dress suit seated near another person in casual clothing, including shorts. You should wear clothing in which you feel comfortable.

Are you accessible to those who have special needs?

Our building, while more than a century old, is handicapped accessible. One service each month is interpreted for the hearing impaired. Our educational ministry accommodates the special needs of children and adults alike.

What is the heritage of Union Avenue Christian Church?

Union Avenue Christian Church is part of the religious movement known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This movement began on American shores shortly after the American Revolution in 1809. The movement arose as a protest against the sectarianism of the nineteenth century that had divided and weakened the universal church. Our early leaders, led by Barton W. Stone and Thomas and Alexander Campbell, presented a plea and a plan for Christian unity on the basis of the restoration of New Testament Christianity. It was their hope to restore the spirit of Christ as authority in the church instead of demanding submission to councils, creeds, or ecclesiastical hierarchies.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was the first Protestant movement founded on American soil, yet it is uniquely equipped to live up to a declaration that it is “A Church for Today.” The denomination continues to be influenced by its founding ideals of informality, openness and diversity.