About Us

                             South Summit Christian Church

                     (Disciples of Christ)

Who We Are At SSCC?

We hope that the information below introduces you to the “heart” of South Summit Christian Church. Enjoy!

Our Mission Statement

The mission of South Summit Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is to provide opportunities for all persons to grow and share their faith in Christ through worship, education, service, and friendship. We accomplish this mission by:

• Promoting and respecting the diversity of individuals while blending their ideas and traditions into a loving church family   
  

• Placing special emphasis on the needs of children and youth, recognizing that they are the church of TODAY and in the future
  

• Welcoming those seeking a church home, believing that our church family, whose central focus is Jesus Christ, offers increased meaning, purpose, and joy to life
  

• Being faithful partners with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)and other members of the whole body of Christ
  

Our Purpose Statement

We believe that a Great Commitment to the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) will grow a faithful ministry with God.

Our Faith Statement

In essential beliefs, we have unity. In non-essential beliefs, we have liberty. In all our beliefs, we show charity.

Our Structure

To fulfill our mission and purpose we are organized by a “Leadership Circle” that consists of people who lead various ministries. Current ministry teams include:

1. Nurture Ministry Team whose mission is to deepen Christian community by providing opportunities for fellowship.  (Scripture Focus: Isaiah 40:1) The aim of the Nurture Team is to help people grow socially and spiritually, in a loving Christian environment that is attentive to community and individual needs.  The team provides large group fellowship events and small group learning opportunities. (Relevant Spiritual Gifts: Teaching, Hospitality, Humor) 

2. Worship Ministry Team whose purpose is to coordinate and plan all aspects of weekly worship and special seasonal services in relation to the liturgical year. The team’s role is to establish a welcoming environment that allows the congregation to experience the presence of God in worship.  (Scripture Focus:  John 4: 1-30) (Relevant Spiritual Gifts: Wisdom, Exhortation, Spirit-Music, Leadership)

3. Outreach Ministry Team whose mission is reaching out for others, growing as one, to serve many in God’s name.  (Scripture Focus:  Luke 24:13-35)  The focus of the Outreach Ministry Team is threefold: 1) to help the congregation invite new people to church, 2) to help the congregation nurture new members into the full life of the congregation, and 3) to help everyone serve Christ’s mission in the world outside the church. (Relevant Spiritual Gifts: Mercy, Helps, Service, Evangelism)

4. Stewardship Ministry Team whose mission is to lead the congregation in the faithful use of all its resources.  The team leads the budgeting process and supports the Finance Minister (Treasurer) to manage and report the church’s financial status.  In addition, the team is responsible for presenting the operational budget to the Leadership Circle and later the congregation for each fiscal year for approval.  (Scripture Focus:  Matthew 19:23-30)  (Relevant Spiritual Gifts: Giving, Faith, Administration,)

5. Property Ministry Team who manages the church property needs. (Relevant Spiritual Gifts: Service, Craftsmanship,)

6. Pastoral Partners Ministry Team who are spiritual partners and caregivers for the congregation. They assist the pastor(s) with the pastoral care needs of the congregation by offering encouragement and support to individuals and by encouraging spiritual growth among individuals and in the life of the congregation as a whole. (Relevant Spiritual Gifts: Mercy, Wisdom, Faith, Healings, Prayer, Pastor)

7. Personnel Ministry Team who serves the congregation’s paid staff needs. Tasks of the Personnel Team include, but are not limited to, the following: assessing staff needs, developing job descriptions, developing staff evaluation processes, hiring and dismissing staff, developing personnel and remuneration policies (Relevant Spiritual Gifts: Leadership, Administration)

8. Christian Education Ministry Team who develops ongoing curriculum and teacher needs for Sunday School, Worship and Wonder Children’s Church, adult and youth education, and any other required education circumstance, vacation bible school, etc. (Relevant Spiritual Gifts: Teaching, Administration, Knowledge)

Our Denomination - The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was founded in the early 1800s in the United States. Seeking to move beyond denominational disagreements, the founders envisioned a united church of Jesus Christ modeled on the New Testament.

Today our nearly 3,800 congregations still share these characteristics:

• Each congregation is self-governing and calls its own pastor.
  

• Worship services may be formal or informal, and include lay women and men in leadership.
  

• Open discussion of issues is encouraged. Diversity of opinion is common
  

• We are growing in racial and ethnic diversity
  

BASIC BELIEFS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

    (Disciples of Christ)

1.The weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper – Disciples’ life is

centered at the table. Through communion, we are connected to one

another and to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Believer’s baptism by immersion – Following the earliest

traditions of the church, we demonstrate our commitment to God by

dramatic action, letting the waters of our baptism give witness to

God’s grace upon us.

3.        Open membership – Recognizing that the traditions of the

whole church are many and varied, we do not insist that our baptismal

practice is the only one that is valid.  We know that baptism is God’s

action far more than our own.

4.        An attitude of tolerance and a rejection of creeds as a test of

faith – We celebrate diversity as strength rather than weakness, and

do not expect everyone’s interpretation of the Bible or the Christian

life to be identical.

5.        The importance of scripture – We believe that the Bible is the

inspired word of God and is best heard and understood within the

community of faith with the diverse insight that context provides.

6.        Congregational yet voluntarily connectional – We give the local

congregation authority over life and ministries, and yet share

resources freely within a connected church, our denomination,

knowing that the mission of the church is not just local.

7.        The inclusion of the leadership of women – We believe that

God provides spiritual gifts to all and do not restrict any office or role

in the life of the church by gender.

8.         An emphasis on lay leadership – Aside from performing

weddings which is regulated by the state, lay persons in our church

are permitted and encouraged to do all things, including presiding

and offering the Eucharistic prayers at the Lord’s Table, often

restricted to ordained clergy in other denominations.

9.         An educated clergy – We set educational and professional

standards for ministers-licensed and ordained, and hold our clergy to

ethical accountability through denominational oversight.

10.       A priority on ecumenical life – Disciples earnestly pray and

strive for the unity of the church and attempt to work in ways that

bridge the separation of Christ’s body.

(As presented by Richard L. Speth, Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Indiana)

For more information on the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), please visit The Disciples Home Page.

1121 SW Hook Road         Lee's Summit, Missouri  64082         (816) 246-4400  

Sunday School 9:00 am                Worship 10:00 am

...embracing and sharing God's love