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It's a great joy to introduce you to Christian churches and churches of Christ. Though not part of a denomination, our church is part of a fellowship of independent churches within Christianity, known as the Restoration Movement, with the conviction that a divided Christianity is hampered in bringing the world to Christ. Jesus prayed of His followers in John 17:20-21, "I pray...that they may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
The reason this unity is necessary is so that people may believe in Christ. The salvation of the world by the spreading of the Gospel ("good news") of Christ is our mission (Matthew 28:19-20). The accomplishing of this goal has been hindered by division into many denominations and sects, which wastes time, energy, money, and confuses those who seek for truth. The world cannot be won until the followers of Christ are one.
HISTORY
Early in the 19th century, leaders from various denominations in different parts of America, unaware of one another, came to believe that followers of Christ should discard the divisive spirit of many centuries. They passionately desired to go back beyond the Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox churches to be the church described in the Bible by laying down all the baggage of sectarian names and creeds. Once they began discovering one another's existence, they gathered not to start another sect, but to call people back to the church of the New Testament, unbound by traditions and rules of men.
It's estimated that there are now over 5,500 such churches in America with over one million members, and at least that many overseas as well. These churches today support some 38 colleges and seminaries, 1,000 missionaries around the world, and 1,000 U.S. benevolent and parachurch agencies.
SIMPLE STRUCTURE
With Jesus as the owner and head of the church (Matthew 16:16, 18, Ephesians 1:22, 5:20), we are a free congregation, not ruled by a headquarters or hierarchy, but self-governed by leaders with faith and spiritual maturity (1 Timothy 3:1-13). Although independent, each local church is encouraged to fellowship and cooperate with other like-minded churches in mission and benevolent work. Because all Christians are spiritually gifted to minister, we do not maintain a "clergy" class, though some are paid to serve in staff leadership (1 Peter 4:10, Ephesians 4:11-12).
POSITIONS
With an evangelical faith, the following three statements are foundational to all we believe and practice.
- We are Christ Centered
A saving, personal relationship with Him is the only requirement for belonging to His church. As His followers, we hear no name but His - Christian (Acts 11:26). We believe that human doctrinal checklists are not needed to determine who should be added to the Church. It is enough to proclaim, "Christ is Our Only Creed" for these reasons:
He is the one and only Son of God who died for our sins and rose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). His is the only name by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12); forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life are available to those who receive Him as Savior and Leader (Lord). (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 2:38). He is one day returning to resurrect the dead and bring all believers to heaven (John 5:28-29).
- We are Bible Based
Because it is the inspired Word of God, the Bible serves as our only authority. Why not then restore the church revealed there just as it was without human additions, subtractions, or theologies? Both the Old and New Testaments form the entire revelation of God, but the New Testament is the agreement (covenant) given to Christians to live under. (2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21).
Our concern is always, "What does the Bible say?" In order to refrain from elevating opinions and questionable interpretations to the status of revealed truth from God, we hold to the motto: "Where the Scripture speaks, we speak; where Scripture is silent, we are silent."
- We are Unity Minded
Our plea is for unity in purpose, spirit and practice. While unity movements have historically tended to stress "invisible" spiritual unity while maintaining visible signs of distinction, we seek to be a church like that in the the New Testament, where we do not find denominations even existing. We seek to bring down the walls of division that Paul denounces (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). We have no formal man-made creed to which members are required to subscribe, nor do we want to get tangled up in the opinions that divide Bible-believing people. So we honor the time-honored principle: "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love."
In Essential Beliefs, Unity - We focus on the foundational, unifying truths of Christianity. "There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called...one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all...." Ephesians 4:4-6
In Non-Essential Beliefs, Liberty - "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...." Romans 14:1
In All Things, Love - "...if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:2
If Christ's followers won't be divided in heaven, why should they be on earth? So we seek to wear a name that all followers of Christ can unite on - to be known as Christians only (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16). Neither Catholic, nor Protestant - we are just Christian. This spirit is found in the motto: "We're Not the Only Christians - We're Christians Only."
Though accurately labeled as "non-denominational," or "undenominational," these only tell what we are not, not what we are. Besides, these terms have come to include a wide variety of churches that simply have no formal ties to any one sect; nevertheless, many function denominationally with their creed-like statements of faith and sectarian attitudes. Some may say that we are "interdenominational" because our church welcomes people from all denominational backgrounds. However, that term may give the impression that we approve of denominationalism, or compromise Biblical truth for the sake of unity. Although we rejoice in the faith and good works of people within the denominations, we reject the spirit of division in which many people unwittingly share.
Perhaps its better to be thought of as being "predenominational," since our plea is a return to the New Testament church in it's original faith and form before denominations arose. We do not claim to have reached this ideal ourselves - of living up to all that the early church built by Jesus and guided by His apostles ought to be. But the ideal is worth striving and praying for.
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