We welcome you to a church that is committed to maintaining a strong, caring community, while supporting one another in developing our spiritual lives.

We are a people on a journey together: an ecumenical community grounded in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Our church affirmations state that "we are a church that values theological diversity and so we understand that God's love in Jesus is experienced uniquely by each believer."

We, who have been welcomed by Christ, strive to model the invitational and thoughtful ways which Jesus welcomes others. We invite you to explore our web site, to learn more about us and to discern whether God's spirit is leading you to become a part of us.

Sincerely,

Laura Swett, Pastor


Fairfax Christian, a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Fairfax Christian was born in 1962 by a group of families that wanted to plant a Disciples of Christ church in the rural area west of Washington, DC. As a member of this denomination we value a deep Christian spirituality, true community and a passion for justice.


At Fairfax Christian We Experience:

Deep Christian Spirituality - We open ourselves to be shaped by God, and we strive to live by Christ's example.

True Community - We celebrate the unique gifts of each person, and we care deeply for one another.

Passion for Justice - We advocate for those in need, and we serve our neighbors.

We promote faith and reason in our study of Christian life. We encourage you to ask questions, to think critically and to seek truth. Classes are held regularly, providing a variety of topics designed to help you grow in your journey of faith.

We are a church that is open to new ways of experiencing God and living out the good news in Jesus Christ. We seek to understand God's will using the combined wisdom of scripture, tradition, reason, and experience.

We value the priesthood of all believers. God calls us to use our talents to grow spiritually and help other to experience God's blessings. We are committed to helping you discover your talents and using them to share God's love in the world.

We constantly strive to move our ministry beyond our own community to the greater community of the Washington, DC area. Currently, we are a partner in mission with Pilgrimage Christian Church - a church which ministers to poor children and teens. We understand the value of being generous with our resources and work to practice this in everything we do.

Information about our denomination, see http://www.disciples.org


Fairfax Christian Affirmations

As a body united in faith through Jesus Christ, We affirm that we are a Christ-centered church that strives to live out our faith in practical, life-affirming ways.

We love one another as Christ loves us:

  • We are a church that welcomes one another, as Christ has welcomed us.
  • We care for and respect all of our members, working to foster community in small and large groups.
  • We acknowledge that in our diverse community, there will be differences. We will communicate agreement and disagreement civilly and focus on building relationships to strengthen the body, rather than insisting on our own way.
  • We are a community of believers open to all and closed to none.

We help one another draw nearer to God:

  • We value worship as an expression of our love for God.
  • We recognize the diversity of spiritual gifts and we help one another to develop these gifts in order to live out the ministry of all believers.
  • We value theological diversity. We understand that God's love in Jesus is experienced uniquely by each believer.
  • We value mission and outreach as a way of applying our faith, near and far.
  • We acknowledge the importance of spiritual growth. We take responsibility for developing our spiritual lives through study, worship, involvement in ministry, and by the dedication of our personal and material resources.
  • We are active in our discernment of the will of God using the combined wisdom from scripture, tradition, reason and experience.


Other Information about Fairfax Christian

Communion - The Lord's Supper is open to every Christian,
We partake individually. Sharing in the Lord's Supper is at the heart of what members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) do when they gather for worship. Generally each week there will be the singing of hymns, prayers, the reading of scripture, and a sermon. But without the Lord's Supper (or communion, as it is often called), worship would be incomplete. A marked characteristic of Disciples is an emphasis upon the importance of the Lord's Supper as a basic part of weekly worship. (more info)

Baptism - Baptism in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) takes water -- plenty of water. Disciples practice "baptism by immersion" because it mirrors New Testament practice. In addition, Disciples see the use of the specific form of baptism, immersion, as powerfully symbolic. It recalls Jesus' own baptism; it acts out dying with Christ and emerging to new life; it is a "putting on" of Christ. The person being baptized experiences the firm support of the community -- of the Body of Christ -- in the arms and hands of the minister, feels the plunge of commitment, and bursts into new life with the sound and feel of rushing water. At the conclusion of a Disciples baptism, the congregation most often is asked to pledge support of the newly-baptized person in her or his faith journey.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What "kind of church" are you?

The Disciples of Christ denomination is a mainline Protestant church, one of many Protestant denominations with moderate theologies that attempt to be open to new ideas and societal changes without abandoning the historical basis of the Christian faith. Our denomination currently has nearly 850,000 members in the United States and Canada. Click for more on the Disciples of Christ denomination.

When was your church started?

Fairfax Christian Church was founded in 1962 by a group of families that wanted to plant a Disciples of Christ church in what was then the rural area west of Washington, DC. The denomination itself began as a movement on the American frontier in the early 1800s. It was started by a group frustrated by the abuse of power in the church. Choosing to focus on the common beliefs of all Christians, the group put aside tests of fellowship and adapted the motto "no creed but Christ." Dissatisfied with church hierarchy and ministerial authority, these pioneers practiced and promoted the concept of the priesthood of all believers. In other words, all are called, qualified, and encouraged to minister to one another.

What do you believe?

The only requirement for membership at Fairfax Christian Church is the affirmation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and the Lord and Savior of the world. There are no other creeds or doctrines that need to be accepted. Since everyone has a unique faith journey leading to this affirmation of Christ, we experience and celebrate tremendous diversity of theological understanding within our congregation.

What is your mission statement?

Our mission is to love and care for one another as Jesus cares for us, to grow in relationship with God, and to reach out to those in need.

What is your vision?

Our vision is to be a positive Christian community, open to all.

We are positive because we focus on what God is doing, rather than what God is not doing. We focus on people´s gifts, rather than their limitations. We focus on what God is blessing in order to discern the direction of our ministries. We continually encourage spiritual growth in all areas of life.

While our understandings of who Jesus is and how we experience the risen Christ varies, we are a Christ-centered community. We have no creeds, but a common belief that Jesus is the Christ.

We are a people who value community, understanding that everyone has their own way of discovering God in Jesus Christ. We encourage people to actively seek the way to God, while respecting that this path is unique for each individual. When theological views vary, we place our relationships above the need to conform to one another´s beliefs ("Love one another as I have loved you').

We are open to all seekers and all believers regardless of race, religious background, sexual orientation or culture. We believe that the God who has created us, calls us to live in community with all of God's people.

What qualifications do your pastors have?

Our denomination generally requires its ministers to receive a Master of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary before being ordained.  We have always valued a thoughtful and educated approach to scripture and look to our ministers to guide us in our individual understanding rather than insist upon one interpretation.

Are women allowed to be pastors, elders, deacons, or teachers?

In the early nineteenth century, ours was the first denomination to ordain women as ministers. We believe that God calls people to particular service regardless of age, race, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation. There is only one qualification for participation in the life of the church -- the profession that Jesus is the Christ.

What are your worship services like?

Our worship services include such traditional elements as hymns, prayer, scripture, sermon, and communion, but we strive to maintain an informal and relaxed environment so that anyone can feel comfortable as part of this faith community. The mood is one of celebration as we learn from God, give praise for all of our blessings, and seek ways to live out God's plan for our lives.

Who is allowed to take communion?

The communion table is open to anyone who chooses to partake. It is the place where God's grace in Jesus Christ is experienced. It is the table to which people of all ages, races, and nations are invited by Christ the host.

How does a person join your church?

To join, simply come forward during the singing of the last hymn to profess or reaffirm your belief in Jesus as the Christ.  Classes are offered regularly to help you learn more about Fairfax Christian Church and the Disciples of Christ denomination. Feel free to contact the minister or one of the elders if you have any questions.

What does Fairfax Christian Church do for the community?

Our church has a heart for service. We support the Lamb Center, a day shelter for the homeless in Fairfax. We support FACETS, an organization that provides food, shelter, social services, and housing to those in need. We have a partnership with Pilgrimage Christian Church, an inner city ministry in Suitland, MD that primarily serves needy children. We continually encourage one another to donate time in service to community ministries.

Where does the denomination stand on social issues?

We believe that God calls all people to feed the hungry, help the needy, and work for peace and justice. We recognize that this can take many, many forms. We encourage each other to stand up for what is right, but historically the denomination has intentionally refrained from taking a position on politicized issues out of respect for the theological diversity of our members. Instead we remain focused on that which we have in common -- belief in Jesus Christ.

How does a person get involved?

Everyone is welcome to participate in any church activity. Current information on what's happening at the church can always be found on our website, in our church bulletin, and in our monthly newsletter. If you need more assistance, you can call the church and speak with the pastor. She will be glad to help you find a way to use your gifts and to grow in your spiritual life.