What
To Expect
We
hope you'll accept our invitation to visit with us at the Clay Church
of Christ. When you do, we want you to feel comfortable, so let us tell
you what you can expect when you honor us with a visit.
Our
Goal
Our goal is very simple - to
restore the New Testament church in our own time. We seek to
determine what the church was like in the first century and then try to
be like
that church as much as is possible.
We work hard to be a congregation that is non-denominational and in
every way centered on the Bible. We know our conclusions aren't
flawless and our practices are sometimes colored by habit and
tradition. Even so, we hold the Bible as our only guide
in religious matters.
Our Worship
All of our worship is simple. Our music is composed of acappela singing
and everyone is encouraged to participate. Our prayers are fervent
appeals to God. Our sermons are Christ-centered, Bible-filled, and
designed to be understandable, in order to teach and encourage those in
attendance. Anyone desiring to become a Christian is afforded an
opportunity to do so at each assembly. However no one will go about the
audience
singling people out, asking them to stand or urging anyone to go
forward. Our services are not designed to embarrass anyone, but rather
to teach the Bible to all who come to sing and pray together.
Contributions are made on Sunday by members of the
congregation to
support the work of the church. Visitors may give but are under no
obligation to do so. The Lord’s Supper is observed by
Christians every Sunday as instituted by Jesus (Matthew 26:26-28). It
is a memorial supper of the Lord’s death (1 Corinthians
11:24,25). “Unleavened bread” and the
“fruit of the vine” symbolize the body and blood of
Jesus (1 Corinthians 10:16).
We seek to do all things decently and in order, as the apostle Paul
instructed (1 Corinthians 14:40).
The
Preaching
A sermon will be preached which exalts the Word of God above the will
of
man. The lessons and sermons are designed to teach God’s word
so as to encourage compliance by those who listen. You are encouraged
to use your own Bible and follow along and see for yourself if the
things being taught are the same as those found in God's
word. We
make no claim for
sensationalism - just plain Bible teaching and study.
What
Will Be Expected of You?
Nothing at all! You
are welcome to participate in the service but should not
feel obligated to. Just observe if that is what you want to do.
The People
So,
what kind of people can you expect to find? Pretty much the entire
spectrum. Like many groups, we are diverse, coming from varied
backgrounds and different stages of knowledge and spiritual growth. We
don't claim to know everything, but we are learning. We aren't perfect,
but with God's help we are improving.
We are just a group of Christians who have come together because of a
common goal. We want to be God's people
and bring others to the tender healing mercy of our Father in Heaven.
You will be more than welcome at all of our services. Please
come and
bring your Bible to "search the Scriptures" with us. If you do not have
a Bible, feel free to use one of ours. |
|
|
