Snapshot: First Christian Church of Atlanta (Disciples of Christ)

Web site: www.firstchristianatlanta.com

Services: 9 a.m. contemporary, 11 a.m. traditional

Average Sunday attendance: 125

Co-pastors: Rev. Kristine Light Branaman and Rev. Richard D. Branaman

Denomination affiliation: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Mission statement:

“First Christian Church of Atlanta is a welcoming community of Christians on a journey toward wholeness in a fragmented world. All who seek to find God’s peace and healing are invited to come experience our hospitality, openness and spirituality. We believe faith in Jesus Christ is best lived within a supportive community through our worship, mission and fellowship.”

History:

The church began in 1850 as a small group meeting in homes before moving into a building in downtown Atlanta. Four buildings and 160 years later, the congregation is now based in Tucker.

Pastors’ path:

Husband and wife Rick and Kris Branaman joined the staff in 2008 as co-pastors. They met as students at Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky, married in 1985, and have served churches together for 20 years.

After serving pastorates individually before they were married, they know the balance that makes co-pastoring work for them.

“For the most part, I’ve worked with mission and outreach ministries more than Rick, and more with youth, children and families. And he’s done more administrative, property and church governance areas, and most of the hospital visits and pastoral care,” Kris explained, adding that they equally split time preaching.

Ministries:

A summer arts camp, set for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 19-23, is a new program that will blend the creative talents of church members with a community outreach.

A desire to embrace diversity has fueled a relationship with Zo refugees, who worship at 3 p.m. Sundays at First Christian Church. The 100 members of the Zo tribe fled their native Myanmar and now live in Clarkston.

Church members plan to build their 16th home for Habitat for Humanity this summer. The church is a founding partner of NETworks Cooperative Christian Ministry.

Associate minister Phil Foster recently joined the staff to develop a spiritual formation ministry. Rick Branaman wants to offer a place where all denominations of Christians, as well as other religions, come together to discuss their beliefs.

“One of our goals is that this church will become a center for those looking to fill their spiritual development,” he said. “We want to be a place where people can dialogue.”

Thoughts from the pastors:

“We are serious when we say your questions are valued here, not because we have the answers, but because we think faith is about dialogue, deep conversation and listening for wisdom from other voices,” Kris said. Rick added: “In the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we have a long history of working for unity and inclusion while respecting diversity of opinions and beliefs.”