Is the "Church of Christ" a Christian Church?
R. Conrad Cline
Introduction
“What are Christian Churches or Churches of Christ, anyway? They are congregationally governed bodies whose primary desire and focus is to reproduce in doctrine, life, and practice - the New Testament faith that was first founded by Christ through his apostles around 33 AD. Therefore, present day disciples (who adhere to this fellowship) strive to be non-denominational - having no desire to drive another spiritual wedge into the cause of Christ.
Our Plea
We believe that in essentials there can only be unity; in non-essential there is liberty of thought, and in all things there must be love! The Lord Jesus Christ prayed, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee” (John 17:21). This unity should not only be in spirit but in reality. It is to be like that between the Father and the Son – a unity in purpose, spirit, and practice, in which all believers “speak the same thing” (1 Corinthians 1:10) but not necessarily in the same native tongue or dialect.
Our Purpose
The church exists for one purpose and that purpose is to make disciples of all those who will listen and believe in the Son of God's life, death, burial, and resurrection from the dead and the fact that he ascended back into heaven on our behalf. Each Christian is to fulfill Christ's great commission as articulated in Matthew 28:18-20 where our Lord commanded: "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely i am with you always, to the very end of the age." Jesus Christ builds and strengthens his church here on earth and wherever men and women invite this to happen - their peace of mind and heart as well as their immediate society - will be the better for it. Those who seek the Kingdom of God above all else will find God's blessings added to them.
Our Plan
This plan is central to our loyal to the cause of Christ. We plan to move forward and do whatever God has enabled us to do in the name of Christ. Where we cannot go ourselves, we will send and support those who can go from among us. Many laborer's (in God's harvest field) have already gone to work on projects closer to their home while others have volunteered to go abroad because they are under a compulsion to serve Christ when being convicted because of their love for him and a love for lost humanity.
Our Program
In former years, there were many congregations built around programs. Generally speaking, there are many large congregations still being built that way and that is very good; but as of this writing, our little congregation has had to face the harsh reality that there seems to be fewer and fewer laborers willing and even actively able to participate in various Christian endeavors that they were once actively involved in. When age catches up to many of us, we do remained faithful to Christ, and even though our spirit is willing our old temporal body is not! However, every member in our fellowship will welcome you with open arms and warm hearts. You are welcomed to also become part of God's family in Back Bay, New Brunswick.