WHERE WE WORSHIP
Disciples have 'No creed but Christ'
By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Faith Editor
Name of church: First Christian Church.
Our denomination: Disciples of Christ, an Indianapolis-based denomination that has 3,800 churches, mostly in the United States and Canada.
Where we are: 1516 Kewalo St. in Makiki.
Our numbers: 75 members.
Our pastor: The Rev. Vaughn F. Beckman.
Our history: Founded in 1894, First Christian was the first of four Disciples of Christ congregations on O'ahu.
The denomination was started in the early 1800s in the United States. Its founders envisioned a united Christian church modeled on the New Testament. "The key reason the Disciples started" was "to move beyond denominational disagreements," said Beckman.
What we believe: First Christian is working hard to lay the foundation for new leadership, outreach and growth, Beckman said.
"There is a clear belief that the good news should be relevant to the issues of the day," he said. "We are an inclusive community which encourages diversity of opinions, lay leadership, and open communion, with a strong emphasis in promoting justice and peace. Disciples pride themselves on the saying: We have 'No creed but Christ.' "
What's special about us: Disciples say they have a long tradition of being in the forefront of ecumenical and interfaith work as well as promoting faith and justice issues. Beckman helped found the Interfaith Alliance and Friends of Sabeel and is a regular member of the Interfaith Open Table.
His is also a church known for putting its faith into action, with Hawai'i's only openly gay mainline Protestant senior pastor. It formally declared itself a "welcoming" congregation in the mid-'90s, which means it defines itself as "open and affirming (to) all persons, regardless of their ethnic or racial heritage, gender, sexual orientation and economic or political status."
There has been a recent growth of new Disciples congregations, predominantly within Korean, black, Hispanic and "welcoming" communities, he said.
Believing that Jesus Christ loved all people, First Christian Church "purposely stands alongside" people marginalized by society, Beckman said. According to Beckman, "The mission is to be and to share the good news of Jesus Christ."
What we are excited about: With its emphasis on youth, the church has four deacons under age 18. There is an elder who is a freshman in college.
During August, the theme is "Disciples Care for Keiki, Families and our Church 'Ohana." School supplies are being collected for elementary and middle-school students, and a "Pledge for a Caring Community" has been taken. On Aug. 31, Christian education workers will be recognized during the worship service.
Contact: The Rev. Vaughn Beckman or Linda Egoshi, the director of Christian education and youth, 521-3500. E-mail office@fcchonolulu.org.
If you would like to recommend a faith organization for a Where We Worship profile, e-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com, call 525-8035 or write: Where We Worship, Faith Page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.
