What Kind of a Church?

What kind of a church is this? That question has been asked by many Christians. Some are members of denominations with doctrinal and political positions which have disillusioned them. Some of the inquirers ask the question derisively, probably believing that the Christian Church or the Church of Christ is a ridiculous example of what the church ought to be. Any statement would be inadequate, but allow me to share some strong convictions.

This is a congregation of sinners "saved by grace." We range the spectrum from "superior" to "failing" in our faith, spiritually, personal witness, and stewardship of life. We are a fellowship of the imperfect growing, we trust, from one level of maturity up to the next, and never content with any life of attainment. We teach the unity of Christians comes through common devotion and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. The New Testament, the record of God's self-revelation in His Son, is our only rule of discipline, doctrine, and devotion. We lay no claim to being the only Christians, but we are happy to be Christians "only." We try to remind each other frequently of the evils of sectarianism, exclusivism, and pharisaism.

This is Christ's church. It is not a "Disciple church," nor is it an "independent church." We are not chained, fettered, bridled, governed, or muzzled by any party or agency. We rejoice in our Christian status as free men and women. We are free to love our enemies, our antagonists, lampooning liberals, and cantankerous conservatives. This church is dismayed by the division which keeps brothers split and the world lost. And we repent for our part in that shameful strangulation and recrucifixion of the Lord Jesus.

This is not a Republican church or a Democrat church. It is not a white man's church nor is it a black man's church. It turns away no seeker of God. We are not at war with the National Council of Churches, the World Council, or the United Christian Missionary Society. We are too much involved in the urgent cause of Christ to allow the devil to lure us into the trap of being mere crusaders against men and movements. We are anti-sin, anti-crime, and anti-anything that is opposed to the will of the Father. But we are first of all pro-Christ, pro-love, and pro-humanity!

All who accept Jesus Christ and obey Him will find here an open heart, an open Bible, and open Communion table, an open baptistry: pacifists, pietists, seekers, doubters, capitalists, debtors, laborers, professionals, and other sinners.

By God's grace, this is a free church - a church of Christ.

By: Russell F. Blowers