BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION...
Many people hesitate to visit a church unless they know what it will be like
when they go. Perhaps we can help you know what to expect in your visit with us.
NO, WE ARE NOT ANOTHER
DENOMINATION
Neither are we inter-denominational. It is our sincere desire to be non-denominational,
to wear no other name than Christ's, and to be known simply as Christians,
members of the body of Christ. (Acts 11:26; Ephesians 1:22-23). Collectively we
refer to ourselves as the church of Christ, the Lord's church, or some other
scriptural description to identify ourselves as the saved people belonging to
Christ (Ephesians 5:23).
WE STRIVE TO BE THE SAME CHURCH
DESCRIBED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
It is our purpose to be identified with the Christians of the first century. We
believe this to be possible to all who will learn, believe and be guided by the
plain teaching of God's word. When Jesus declared such to be "the seed of the
kingdom" (Luke 8:11), He was emphasizing a known fact of nature that specific
kinds of seed, when planted, will always produce after their kind. For example,
wheat will produce wheat. In like manner the word of God, when planted in the
hearts of honest people, and obeyed, will produce Christians just as it did in
the first century - nothing more or nothing less.
WE HAVE NO HUMAN HEAD
There is no man, or group of men, who legislate for the church. We have no one
to answer to but Christ. He is at the head of the church (Colossians 1:18) which
leaves no room for any human head. As was true in the first century, so also
there is no intercongregational organization, but rather independent
congregations in different locations with Christ as Lord and Master. According
to the authority of Christ, when a congregation matures to the point where men
meet the qualifications, overseers (also called bishops, elders or pastors) are
appointed to look after the spiritual welfare of the congregation. Such men are
appointed only when they meet all the qualifications listed by Paul in 1 Timothy
3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. They then have the responsibility to "feed the flock"
with the spiritual food found in the scriptures, and to be examples for others
to see (1 Peter 5:1-3). Our preachers are not "pastors" (unless they meet the
qualifications and are so appointed) but are simply teachers of the gospel.
THE BIBLE IS OUR ONLY BOOK OF
RULES
Therefore we have no man-written creed books to follow. We are governed in faith
and conduct by the Bible alone. While recognizing the guiding principles of the
Old Testament, we seek to conform to the rules and patterns of the New Testament
(Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 Peter 4:11). We accept the Bible as being both verbally
inspired and infallible in content (2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Corinthians 2:11-13).
Consequently, when the Bible speaks upon any given subject, its pronouncement is
accepted as final. By its own testimony, no one may without impunity alter a
single word of it (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelations 22:18-19).
OUR PLEA FOR UNITY
We plead for unity among all who obediently respond to the doctrine and
commandments given in the New Testament. Such is in harmony with the prayer of
Jesus and the pleadings of the apostles (John 17:20-21; 1 Corinthians 1:10;
Ephesians 4:1-6). We consider such unity to be possible, or Jesus would not have
prayed for it. Since division has always been the result of departure from God's
pattern, we believe division can be healed by a return to the revealed truth of
God's word. For this we plead.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND AT OUR
ASSEMBLIES
Our assembled worship procedures are simple, spiritual and orderly, key-noted by
the words of Jesus, who said, "true worshippers shall worship the Father in
spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24). Absent is the frenzied emotionalism so common
in churches today. Each element of worship finds its origin in the commands and
examples found in the New Testament.
SINGING
The entire assembly joins in singing gospel songs. There is no choir or special
groups, but simple congregational singing. Since we find no evidence in the New
Testament that the early church used mechanical instruments to accompany their
singing, we do not use them in our worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
PRAYER
The congregation is led in prayer by one of the men in the assembly. We pray,
not only to praise and thank God, but also to ask for our needs and the needs of
others (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
PREACHING
The lessons and sermons are designed to teach God's word so as to encourage
compliance by those who listen. It has become increasingly popular for preachers
to appear sensational by discussing subjects not revealed in the Bible, and even
laying claims to miraculous powers. We make no claim for sensationalism - just a
period of plain Bible teaching and study.
THE LORD'S SUPPER
Like the church in the time the New Testament was written, we partake of the
Lord's supper each first day of the week (Acts 20:7). The supper consists of
unleavened bread and fruit of the vine as memorials of the body and blood of
Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:20-26).
GIVING AS WE PROSPER
We do not take up a collection every time we meet, but only on the first day of
the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Should you attend our Sunday service when the
collection is taken, you are not expected to give. This is the responsibility of
our members, not our guests.
WHO ARE WE?
We are a group of men and women, boys and girls who have formed and constitute a
congregation such as those described in the New Testament. We are simply
Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:15-16), followers of Christ, and we
comprise a church that is "of Christ" (Romans 16:16). We do not wear or accept
any designations that are not found in the scriptures, and we do not subscribe
to any creed drawn up by fallible men. Christ is our only creed, the Bible our
only guide. We are striving to be a church after the pattern found in the New
Testament - in how we become Christians and in how we live as Christians; in
what we teach; in the work we do as a church; in the way we are organized. We
are trying to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is
silent, to do Bible things in Bible ways and to call Bible things by Bible
names. We are interested in honoring God, in following Christ, and in learning,
doing and teaching God's Word. We are your neighbors, your fellow-workers, and
your fellow-students. We are people saved from sin who are interested in the
salvation of others. We want Heaven to be our eternal home and yours.
PLEASE COME AND WORSHIP WITH US
When you visit our assemblies, you will be received friendly, kindly and
courteously. We believe this to be the natural attitude of those who truly love
God and mankind. Though you may at first be among strangers, we hope that you
will come to know us well and count us as your friends.