02/02/08

What You Can Expect When You Visit Us

Our Plea

We are a people committed to the practice of simple, Biblical Christianity. We believe that the word of God, the seed of the kingdom (Lk. 8:11), when accepted in good, honest hearts, will produce the same results today as it did when preached in the first century: people will become "Christians." We are not a denomination, just disciples of Christ. Individually we are simply "Christians" (Acts 11:26; 1 Pet. 4:16), and as a congregation we are a "church of Christ" (Rom. 16:16). We are not perfect people with perfect understanding, but you should expect us to be striving to follow Christ's teaching and example in our lives.

Our Guide

Our plea is based upon the belief that the Scriptures are completely adequate to equip us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). When you visit our services, you will not find us appealing to what some man says or to some human creed. Rather, you will observe that the Bible is the source for all our sermons and lessons. We always try to "speak as the oracles of God" (1 Pet. 4:11). Our only request of our guests is to read the Bible for themselves to see whether we teach the truth, and to accept it only if it is the truth (Acts 17:11).

Our Assemblies

The primary purpose for our meetings is to worship God as taught in the Bible. Like the church of the New Testament, our worship consists of hymns (Eph. 5:19), prayers (1 Tim. 2:8), and study of the Scriptures (Acts 2:42). Every Sunday we observe the Lord's Supper, commemorating the death of Christ (Matt. 26:26-29; Acts 20:7). You will not find us taking special collections at every service. A collection is taken only on Sunday, when the members do their part to support our work through free-will offerings (1 Cor. 16:1-3). You will not find us attempting to provide entertainment. Nor will there be the confusion of many people speaking or praying at the same time. You will be able to join in the service as different brethren lead the congregation reverently in singing of hymns, in prayers, and in the study of the Bible. 

Our Mission

We believe that our mission as a church of Christ is to preach the gospel (1 Tim. 3:15; Rom. 1:16). We are interested in telling people in our community what they must do to be saved. You will hear us in our services emphasize personal obedience to the will of Christ: faith in Christ (Rom. 10:17); repentance of sin (Luke 13:3); confession of faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10); and baptism for remission of sins (Acts 2:38). If someone in the audience should respond to this gospel invitation, you will see them taken to a pool of water where, in the likeness of Christ's burial, they will be buried in water and raised to walk in "newness of life" (Rom. 6:3-4).

Our Invitation To You