What to expect when you visit our congregation

When You Visit

     Thanks for taking time to read this! We appreciate your interest in spiritual things in our secular age. We are sincerely interested in you and your spiritual well-being. We hope you will visit with us. Jesus Christ, whom we follow and want you to learn about, can change your life for the better!

     If you have never visited with us before, we realize you may be hesitant to come. Most of us are apprehensive about going to an unfamiliar place, especially a religious gathering where there are several people we've never met. We want to put you at ease by describing what to expect when you visit.

A Church of Christ

     In front of our meeting house, you will notice a sign saying we are a “church of Christ.” Such existed in the days of the apostles of Christ because the apostle Paul wrote, “the churches of Christ salute you” (Romans 16:16). This means we're simply a church that is “of” Christ, a group of Christians belonging to Him, having acknowledged Christ as the Savior.

     Jesus purchased the church by His blood (Acts 20:28) when He died on the cross for sins. People who believe in Christ as the Savior are to be baptized (immersed) into Him for the forgiveness of past sins (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38). We have done this and are thus Christians. Together we are His church. In Christ we have peace of mind, joy in living, hope for the future, and purpose in life.

     Christ came to the world to show us the way back to God (John 14:6). He is the only hope for our sin-sick world. Jesus has changed our life for the better and teaches us how to cope with life's problems. We know Jesus can change your life too!

A Church Under Christ

Christ “is head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22). Since Christ saved us from sin, He is naturally our head (Ephesians 5:23). Jesus our Lord, whom God raised from the dead, has “all authority” to direct us “to observe all things” He commands (Matthew 28:18, 20). Christ's directions for His church are found in the part of the Bible called the New Testament — the last twenty-seven books of the Bible.

As our Savior and Lord, Jesus rules every aspect of our lives, both our responsibilities as individual Christians and our work and worship as a church. We sincerely endeavor to have Christ's authority, expressed in the New Testament, for all our beliefs and practices. Our goal is to do the Lord's work in the Lord's way.

It is our goal to be the Lord's church, patterned after the original ideal set forth in the New Testament. It is our idealistic aim to restore the simplicity and purity of New Testament Christianity. We're a loving fellowship of believers, endeavoring to help each other become the best Christians possible. In this way, the Lord is served and each of us is fitted for heaven.

A Friendly Welcome

Upon entering the building where we meet, we hope you find a warm greeting from the members. Jesus taught us to “love your neighbor as yourself'“ (Mark 12:31). Since you will be a stranger in an unfamiliar place, we want to make you feel at home. We are interested in your personal and spiritual well-being.

We know some people have been burned by hypocritical religion, so you might wonder what we're after. True Christianity is a religion of love. The Lord teaches us to seek others' highest good. This is all we're “after.”

If you don't mind, someone may ask you to fill out a visitor's card, so we can have a record of your visit. You will not be singled out or embarrassed. We will be refreshed to see your interest in spiritual things. So many people in our society have forgotten God and neglect studying the Bible. We will appreciate your visit, and you will be allowed to quietly observe the service for your own spiritual benefit.

Also, don't think you're required to wear expensive, fancy clothes to attend our services. While we do not recommend sloppy or indecent clothes, your inner attitude of heart is more important to God than your outer wardrobe (1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 5:8). Our assembly is a spiritual quest, not a fashion show.

An Emphasis on Bible Study 

On Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, we have Bible classes for all age groups. If you have children, some of the members will be glad to help you find their classrooms.

The Lord charters the local church to be “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). The local church is a spiritual arrangement with a spiritual work. We try hard to do this work. That's why we do not divert church resources to promote recreation or provide a social club. We endeavor to take the Bible seriously, since it is the only way God shows us His will. Do you have a quest for truth?

Simple Worship 

In our worship, we engage in the simple acts prescribed in the New Testament. Our worship is done “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). We want to be enthusiastic in praising God, but there will be no chaotic outbursts.

One of the men will humbly lead the assembly in prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-2, 8), expressing the “heart's desire” (Romans 10:1). There is no special clergy above us through which we offer worship, since each Christian is a spiritual priest (1 Peter 2:9). Each worshipper is a participant, not a spectator.

Like the Christians we read about in the Bible, we engage in the soulful music of singing “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” by “making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). This will be vocal singing without musical instruments, based on the simplicity of the New Testament order.

Each Sunday, Christians celebrate the Lord's Supper in memory of Christ, who died and arose again on our behalf, just as the early Christians did (Acts 2:42, 20:7).

We take up a collection of members' freewill offerings to support the authorized work of this local church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). We do not solicit the money of our visitors. It is the sole responsibility of members of the church to contribute.

A lesson is presented from God's Word, the Bible. You will not be asked to accept someone's opinions about the Bible. You will be encouraged to read along for yourself, “to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). The preacher’s goal is for the lessons to be clear and practical. We seek to teach and practice what the Scriptures teach and nothing that they do not teach.

Let's Get Acquainted! 

During the course of your visit, questions may come to mind. If you want to know more about what is taught or done, we'd be delighted to talk with you about this. We're never offended by sincere questions. We seek to give New Testament teaching for all we believe and practice (1 Peter 3:15, Colossians 3:17). If you do not have a Bible, we are glad to give you one.

The preacher or one of the members will gladly get together with you, at your convenience, to study the Scriptures. Teaching and practicing the pure religion of Christ is the most important thing in our lives. We hope you will want to come back and be with us again after your visit. Please be interested in the things of God. This is the only right course to take.  

By W. Frank Walton and David Holder