Why THIS Church?

Why THIS Church?

There Is an Answer

In today's religious world, people are tired of fighting over inconsequential details. They are impatient with partisan bickering and constant complaining. They want to see an inclusive fellowship, reaching out to all. They are ready to see lives that match liturgy, people who practice what they preach. it is a "back to basics" time.

There is an answer.
The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is just what people want and need.
Not the "official" church.
Not the powerful, political church.
Not the carping, critical church.
But the church. Christ's church. The church we read about in Scripture.

There people loved each other. They taught what is true, not what is politically correct. Kindness and respect characterized their evangelistic encounters. They insisted only on simple obedience to the plain commands of Jesus. It seems too easy, too simple. Church has gotten complicated over the last 2,000 years. You have to have a denominational headquarters. You have to have a big-name speaker. You have to take a poll to decide what you believe. You have to vote on resolutions and debate current issues. You have to assess "dues" and lay a guilt trip on people to raise money.

For at least 200 years, some believers have said, "There has to be a better way." And they have demonstrated that there is. We don't have to perpetuate a divided denominational church. We don't have to separate into warring sects, each clustered around a person or a position, a creed or a confession. The only confession of faith in the early days of the church was, I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God." If that statement was good enough in Bible days, it is good enough now.

These believers insist only on what Scripture requires. You must accept God's grace by obedient faith in Christ. Turn from sin. Demonstrate and mark that choice by baptism. Then grow daily as you learn to live for Jesus.

Believers assemble with others in local congregations. Servant leaders help the body to evangelize the community and disciple followers. Elders oversee and shepherd the flock. Evangelists, pastors, and teachers-all gifted by God-minister in various ways. Some may be more prominent and visible, but there is no clergy/laity distinction. No organizational ties exist beyond the local church. Cooperation in benevolent, evangelistic, and educational outreach marks these followers, however.

No denominational headquarters though. No council, synod, or presbytery. They can work together with all who accept the lordship of Jesus and the authority of His Word. They might not see eye-to-eye on every detail, or agree on the interpretation of every Bible verse. But in the essentials, there is unity; in matters of opinion, there is liberty; and in all things they seek to show love.

In saying this, we don't mean that all of those who espouse this approach are perfect. Far from it. They know their shortcomings and imperfections all too well. They have not arrived. But they are confident that this approach is the right way to recapture and reproduce Christianity in its original form in today's world.

Many of the people who are trying to do just this worship in Christian churches and churches of Christ. These congregations are part of what has been called a "Restoration Movement." This is because they seek to restore the kind of Christianity practiced in the New Testament. If this makes sense to you, why not work with them?

Click here for additional information on independent Christian churches.