This Sunday
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Worship 10:00 am
Rev. Chad Turner preaching
"For your own good"
1 Corinthians 12:4-13
About Us
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 Denomination
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 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- An educated clergy – We set educational and professional standards for ministers-licensed and ordained, and hold our clergy to ethical accountability through denominational oversight.
- 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)