"The following is the preamble to The Design for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It's not a creed, nor is it meant to be a substitute for a creed or a test of fellowship of any sort. But many Disciples use it as a way of expressing their understanding of the faith."

As members of the Christian Church
We confess that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of the living God,
and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.
In Christ's name and by his grace
we accept our mission of witness
and service to all people.
We rejoice in God, maker of heaven and earth,
and in the covenant of love
which binds us to God and one another.
Through baptism into Christ
we enter into newness of life
and are made one with the whole people of God.
In the communion of the Holy Spirit
we are joined together in discipleship
and in obedience to Christ,
At the table of the Lord
we celebrate with thanksgiving
the saving acts and presence of Christ.
Within the universal church
we receive the gift of ministry
and the light of scripture.
In the bonds of the Christian faith
we yield ourselves to God
that we may serve the One
whose kingdom has no end.
Blessing, glory and honor
be to God forever. Amen.

The Design for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),
a document adopted in 1968, spells out how the church is
organized. It recognizes three expressions of the church:
congregations, regions and general units as being the primary
instruments for ministry and mission.