Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada

130 E. Washington St.
P.O. Box 1986
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986
United States

Attesting Officer
John H. Rush
Correspondent


Media Contact
Communication Ministries, Executive Director, Wanda Bryant Wills

39.7672466, -86.1553186


Born on the American frontier in the early 1800s as a movement seeking the unity of all Christians, this body drew its major inspiration from Thomas and Alexander Campbell in western Pennsylvania and Barton W. Stone in Kentucky. Developing separately, the "Disciples," led by Alexander Campbell, and the "Christians," led by Stone, came together in 1832 in Lexington, Ky.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is marked by openness, diversity, a reasoned faith, and a commitment to the priesthood of all believers. The Disciples claim no official doctrine or dogma, and have rejected the use of creeds as "tests of fellowship." Membership is granted after a simple confession of belief in Jesus Christ and baptism by immersion--although most congregations accept transfers baptized by other forms in other denominations. The Lord's Supper--generally called Communion--is open to all Christians, and is practiced weekly, although no church law insists upon it.
Thoroughly ecumenical, the Disciples helped organize the National and World Councils of Churches. The church is a member of the Churches Uniting in Christ. The Disciples and the United Church of Christ have declared themselves to be in "full communion" through the General Assembly and General Synod of the two churches. Official theological conversations have been going on since 1967 directly with the Roman Catholic Church.
Disciples have vigorously supported world and national programs of education, agricultural assistance, medical care, urban reconciliation, and aid to victims of war and calamity. Operating ecumenically, Disciples' personnel or funds work in more than 100 countries outside North America.
Three expressions of the church (congregational, regional and general) operate within strong but voluntary covenantal ties to one another. Entities in each expression manage their own finances, own their own property, call their own staff, and conduct their own programs. A General Assembly meets every two years and has voting representation from each congregation.


Full Communicants Average Attendance Other Members Total Inclusive Members Total Churches Membership Calculation Method
2010
405,308
199,371
234,243
639,551
3,624
2009
417,068
213,361
241,801
658,869
3,691
2008
434,008
221,600
245,555
679,563
3,714
2007
447,340
234,919
242,167
689,507
3,731
2006
451,126
229,719
247,560
698,686
3,774
2004
480,119
245,902
264,275
744,397
3,737
2003
492,691
770,793
3,717
2001
518,434
263,169
286,408
804,842
3,717
1999
535,893
278,875
295,232
831,125
3,765
1997
568,921
879,436
3,818
1996
586,131
910,297
3,840
1995
601,237
929,725
4,036
1994
605,996
937,644
3,933
1993
619,028
958,017
3,961
1992
655,652
1,011,502
3,996
1991
663,336
1,022,926
4,031
1990
678,750
1,039,692
4,069
1989
690,115
1,052,271
4,113
1988
707,985
1,073,119
4,159
1987
718,552
1,086,668
4,195
1986
732,466
1,106,692
4,221
1985
743,486
1,116,326
4,214
1984
755,233
1,132,510
4,264
1983
761,629
1,145,918
4,608
1982
770,227
1,156,458
4,291
Serving Churches Retired Other Service to the Church Total Clergy
2010
3,835
2,059
1,088
6,982
2009
3,931
2,038
1,112
7,081
2008
3,969
2,068
1,066
7,103
2007
3,859
2,016
1,182
7,057
2006
4,056
2,024
903
6,983
2004
3,890
2,029
2,101
7,220
2003
3,412
7,197
2001
3,385
2,031
1,520
6,936
1999
3,307
2,132
1,634
6,073
1997
3,419
7,266
1996
3,359
7,100
1995
4,010
7,115
1994
3,938
7,150
1993
3,925
7,081
1992
3,883
7,018
1991
3,729
6,912
1990
3,744
6,899
1989
3,895
6,897
1988
3,963
6,849
1987
3,977
6,802
1986
4,002
6,806
1985
4,040
6,793
1984
4,071
6,771
1983
4,035
6,668
1982
3,983
6,608
Total Schools Staff Pupils Total Individuals
2010
2,897
16,022
147,045
163,067
2009
2,987
16,517
151,582
168,099
2008
3,006
16,620
152,527
169,147
2007
3,099
17,137
157,245
174,382
2006
3,119
17,256
158,230
175,486
2004
3,270
17,644
162,366
180,010
2003
3,267
181,489
2001
3,457
17,790
177,903
195,693
1999
3,503
20,760
207,620
228,380
1997
3,576
198,457
1996
3,640
269,430
1995
4,036
276,141
1994
3,933
278,493
1993
3,961
284,544
1992
3,996
300,430
1991
4,031
303,823
1990
4,069
308,804
1989
4,113
318,730
1988
4,159
327,354
1987
4,195
331,487
1986
4,221
337,595
1985
4,214
340,534
1984
4,264
341,427
1983
4,608
345,471
1982
4,291
349,715
Total Benevolences Total Financials Total Giving Local Expenses Method
2010
$45,652,854
$489,000,000
$444,000,000
2009
$42,944,443
$496,000,000
$453,000,000
2008
$44,728,431
$524,000,000
$479,000,000
2007
$45,405,339
$519,000,000
$474,000,000
2006
$49,396,969
$540,000,000
$491,000,000
2004
$45,984,116
$494,000,000
$448,000,000
2003
$45,491,828
$503,410,382
$457,918,554
2001
$48,609,107
$486,000,000
$437,000,000
1999
$47,795,574
$458,000,000
$411,000,000
1997
$43,009,412
$424,473,173
$381,463,761
1996
$42,877,144
$413,087,890
$370,210,746
1995
$42,887,958
$400,783,610
$357,895,652
1994
$43,165,285
$385,517,365
$342,352,080
1993
$44,790,415
$373,009,442
$328,219,027
1992
$46,440,333
$380,069,745
$333,629,412
1991
$43,339,307
$374,968,316
$331,629,009
1990
$42,607,007
$364,176,916
$321,569,909
1989
$42,015,246
$352,059,072
$310,043,826
1988
$42,226,128
$339,414,124
$297,187,996
1987
$42,728,826
$330,193,158
$287,464,332
1986
$42,027,504
$330,304,890
$288,277,386
1985
$40,992,053
$315,064,354
$274,072,301
1984
$38,402,791
$302,097,001
$263,694,210
1983
$35,809,331
$277,744,303
$241,934,972
1982
$34,307,638
$261,486,499
$227,178,861