Nothing at all. You are welcome to participate, but don't feel obligated. Just observe if that is your choice.

You may be asked to fill out a visitor's card. This simply provides information so the church can write or call to thank you for your visit. Supply the information if you are comfortable doing so. Feel free to decline this request if you prefer.

Some churches of Christ meet in homes or rented facilities. However, most, for the sake of convenience, have erected a church building.

You will enter what we refer to as the "auditorium." There will be rows of chairs or pews for the worshipers. There are no reserved seats.

A nursery is available during services for your convenience.

Singing - In the bookrack under the seat in front of you, there is a hymnbook. The song leader will announce a number in the book to find the words and music. The music is sung "a cappella," that is, we sing without the use of an instrument.

This is a conviction, rather than a matter of preference. We are seeking to worship according to the New Testament pattern. Since the New Testament leaves instrumental music out, we believe it's best to exclude it too.

Upon examination, we believe you will respect our reason and conviction for it. We think you will find the singing meaningful, and invite you to participate.

Prayer - There will be several prayers during the service. And there may be prayers for specific needs and requests.

Preaching - You will notice that the preacher doesn't have a title. He won't be referred to as Pastor or Reverend. He may be addressed as Dr., but only if he has earned that academic credential. He will probably be referred to as "Brother." Or, "Minister," Or, just called by his first name.

He will not be wearing any religious clothing that will set him apart. We believe in the priesthood of all believers. All Christians are equal. The sermon will be from 20-30 minutes. We think you will find it balanced and Bible focused.

At the close of the sermon, the preacher will "extend an invitation." This is a time to invite those who are moved to do so to make a commitment or request prayer support. He will encourage those who wish to "respond" to come to the front of the auditorium while the congregation sings a hymn.

Don't feel ill-at-ease during this invitation. You will not be singled out in any way. There may be several who respond, or none. Some to confess sins. Some to ask for prayer for a specific need. Some to "identify" with this local congregation.

The Lord’s Supper - If you visit on a Sunday morning or evening, the Lord's Supper will be included in the worship hour. Churches of Christ observe this memorial every Sunday. The reason for this is our desire to follow the New Testament teaching.

Since the first century church celebrated this observance on the first day of the week, we recognized the practice to be normal for the church today. And we know from respected historians that in early centuries the Lord's Supper was an every -- Sunday commemoration.

During this memorial, the congregation participates by using the small cups located in the back in the foyer. Each participating person will unwrap the top of the cup to eat the bread. The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus. The cups will also contain "fruit of the vine," usually grape juice, symbolizing the blood of Jesus. Each participant will drink the contents of one of the cups. If you choose not to participate, don't be embarrassed. Feel free to sit and observe, or think about Christ’s sacrifice and what it means to you.

Offering - If you visit on Sunday morning, containers will be passed to collect the weekly financial offering. Our guests are not expected to donate. Feel free to pass the offering tray with or without contributing.

What kind of people can you expect to find? Pretty much an entire spectrum, as in any group.

You will find happy people -- sad people -- friendly people -- some who are shy -- Loving people -- Learned people -- and some beginning to learn.

We are a diverse group, coming from varied backgrounds, and at different stages of knowledge and spiritual growth.

We don't know everything. We don't do everything right. We don't always treat each other as we should. We haven't arrived -- We're just on the journey.

But, you see, we were not brought together by any illusion of our perfection or righteousness. We were brought together by our recognition that we are sinners in need of the cleansing blood of Jesus (Mark 2:17; Romans 5:6-9).

That's the reason we can worship together, stick together, and, with God's help, accomplish some things that make a difference. You won't have to look very far to find our failures. But, bottom line, you will find people who love Jesus and love the Bible.

Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, offers:

- Forgiveness of the Past

- Purpose for the Present

- Hope for the Future

Members of the churches of Christ want to restore the original New Testament church. We go to scripture to see what the church was like in the beginning, and attempt to recover the essence of the original church. The fact that we desire to go back beyond denominationalism to the simplicity and purity of the first-century church distinguishes us from other churches. We hope to plant the same seed (the word of God, Luke 8:11) that was planted by the apostles' teaching (Acts 2:42) in the modern church. We want to be Christians only, as were the first-century Christians.

No, we do not conceive of ourselves being a denomination. Our claim is to be members of the church which Jesus established and for which He died. We are not interested in human creeds or human designations (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc.). We only wear the name "Christian." The term "church of Christ" is not used as a denominational designation, rather it is descriptive of the church which belongs to Christ.

Since all authority was given to Christ (Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 1:1,2), we believe that Christ has the right to say what the churches' doctrine should be. Since the New Testament sets forth Christ's instructions to His disciples, it alone serves as a basis for teaching and practice. It is our only guide to lead men and women to salvation and Christian conduct. The New Testament is the only reliable guide that leads to unity in religion. Compromise can only bring division (denominationalism). We believe that no person, or group has a right to draw up a set of rules by which everyone must abide. But it is proper to say "Let's unite by following the Bible." We plead for religious unity by following the New Testament. Both additions and subtractions to the Bible is condemned (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18, 19).

Each congregation is self-ruling. There are no governing boards by district, region, or on a national scale. The only headquarters is in heaven where "King Jesus" rules at the right hand of God the Father. The only tie that binds sister congregations is the common bond we have in Christ and to the Bible. Each congregation is governed locally by a plurality of elders (also called bishops or shepherds). These men must meet the biblical qualifications for this office (I Timothy 3, and Titus 1). There are also deacons. They are chosen based upon the qualifications found in I Timothy 3.

We find in the New Testament certain steps were taken by people in the first-century to become Christians. When that person (s) became a Christian, he/she was added to the church by Christ (Acts 2: 38-47). Therefore, we have no separate set of rules for church membership today. When a person becomes a Christian, the Lord automatically adds them to the church. We don't vote people in, or force them to a series of studies. We have no right to demand anything beyond their obedient submission to Jesus Christ. The Bible says we are saved by the "gospel" (Romans 1:16). The Apostle Paul said the gospel has to do with the "death, burial, and resurrection" of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:1-4). Paul tells us we come into contact with the gospel and salvation by being "baptized into Christ." We are "united with Him in the likeness of His death" (Romans 6: 3-9; baptism symbolizes a death, burial, and resurrection). When a person hears the gospel, believes it, repents of their sins, and is baptized, he/she receives the remission of sins, becomes a Christian, and is added to the church (Acts 2:38,47).