A Little About Us
West Side Church of Christ is a non-denominational fellowship of Christians associated with the Restoration Movement whose primary aims have been the unity of believers in one body of Christ and the restoration of the Church as described in the New Testament. We do not believe that we are the only Christians, but seek earnestly to be Christians only.
The Church of Christ is not sectarian, nor is it denominational. It is the Spiritual Body of Christ, wherein dwells the Spirit of God (Romans 8:8-15). Since we are not a denomination, we are free in Christ and led by Godly individuals appointed from within the congregation. Christ is the Head of His Church and our desire is to worship Him. We have no conference, convention or earthly Ecclesiastical authority over us-only Christ and His Word. Our congregation is self governing and self supporting. We seek the unity of all believers in Christ upon the essential matters and the freedom of local congregations and individual Christians in matters of opinion. We have no creed but Christ; no name but the divine; no book but the Bible; no rule of faith and practice but the New Testament, where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.
We accept the Bible as our rule of faith and practice. We are committed to maintaining unity in essentials, allowing freedom in matters of opinion, and demonstrating love in all things. We are not perfect people, but forgiven sinners growing in grace to spiritual maturity.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe in the Trinity: One God, revealed in Scripture as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (John 14:9; Hebrews 1:3).
We believe in the Bible as the inspired Word of God and as such it reveals God’s plan for salvation and growth in Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:16)
We believe every person has worth as a creation of God but all have sinned and fall short of God’s standard (Romans 3:2).
We believe that forgiveness of sins & eternal life are available only through Christ (Ephesians 1:17).
We believe the Church is the body of Christ and exists to save the lost and nurture the saved (Ephesians 4:1-16).
We believe that Jesus Christ will return one day in judgment and all will have to give an account for all they have done (John 5:24-19; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
BECOMING A CHRISTIAN
We have all sinned (Romans 3:23) and the wages of such sin is eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). The Good News is God loves us and wants to save us from the penalty of sin (John 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9). Because of His love He offers us the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). Like any gift it may be accepted or refused.
Salvation is in Christ alone (Acts 4:12) therefore those who desire to be saved must place their faith (trust) in the atoning death of Christ. We are told to confess Christ as our personal Lord and Savior (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10), repent and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5). And then we are encouraged to grow in His grace (2 Peter 3:18) and to remain faithful until death (Revelations 2:10).
There is no greater nor more important decision you can make in your life then to accept Christ. Our greatest joy would be to share with you how you can experience God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ!
WHY WOULD I WANT TO BE A MEMBER?
IDENTITY: Membership identifies a person as a genuine believer (Ephesians 2:19; Romans 12:5).
SUPPORT: Membership provides a spiritual family to encourage and support you in your Christian walk of life (Galatians 6:12; Hebrews 10:24-25).
MINISTRY: Membership gives you a place to discover and use your spiritual giftedness for the benefit of the entire Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-27).
GROWTH: Membership places you in a position to grow spiritually in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?
At the end of each service we offer a “Hymn of Invitation” to give individuals an opportunity to respond. If you desire to place your membership with the West Side Church of Christ, we ask that you come forward during this time of decision. Your acceptance into our local body of believers will be completed in two ways
(1) Confession and Baptism.
If you are making a first time commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior, you will be asked to repeat a public confession of your faith (Acts 8:37) and be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Acts 2:38).
(2) Transfer of Membership
If you are already an immersed believer in Christ and a member of another Church, you will be asked to repeat a public confession of faith. Those who have not been immersed will be asked to do so.
Any of West Side’s members would be happy to discuss this with you in greater detail.
As a member of the West Side Family we would want you to become active in the life of our congregation by being supportive in attendance, prayer, Bible study, and giving. We would be happy to work with you to help you find your place in ministry and involvement in our church.
The Church of Christ is not sectarian, nor is it denominational. It is the Spiritual Body of Christ, wherein dwells the Spirit of God (Romans 8:8-15). Since we are not a denomination, we are free in Christ and led by Godly individuals appointed from within the congregation. Christ is the Head of His Church and our desire is to worship Him. We have no conference, convention or earthly Ecclesiastical authority over us-only Christ and His Word. Our congregation is self governing and self supporting. We seek the unity of all believers in Christ upon the essential matters and the freedom of local congregations and individual Christians in matters of opinion. We have no creed but Christ; no name but the divine; no book but the Bible; no rule of faith and practice but the New Testament, where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.
We accept the Bible as our rule of faith and practice. We are committed to maintaining unity in essentials, allowing freedom in matters of opinion, and demonstrating love in all things. We are not perfect people, but forgiven sinners growing in grace to spiritual maturity.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe in the Trinity: One God, revealed in Scripture as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (John 14:9; Hebrews 1:3).
We believe in the Bible as the inspired Word of God and as such it reveals God’s plan for salvation and growth in Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:16)
We believe every person has worth as a creation of God but all have sinned and fall short of God’s standard (Romans 3:2).
We believe that forgiveness of sins & eternal life are available only through Christ (Ephesians 1:17).
We believe the Church is the body of Christ and exists to save the lost and nurture the saved (Ephesians 4:1-16).
We believe that Jesus Christ will return one day in judgment and all will have to give an account for all they have done (John 5:24-19; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
BECOMING A CHRISTIAN
We have all sinned (Romans 3:23) and the wages of such sin is eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). The Good News is God loves us and wants to save us from the penalty of sin (John 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9). Because of His love He offers us the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). Like any gift it may be accepted or refused.
Salvation is in Christ alone (Acts 4:12) therefore those who desire to be saved must place their faith (trust) in the atoning death of Christ. We are told to confess Christ as our personal Lord and Savior (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10), repent and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5). And then we are encouraged to grow in His grace (2 Peter 3:18) and to remain faithful until death (Revelations 2:10).
There is no greater nor more important decision you can make in your life then to accept Christ. Our greatest joy would be to share with you how you can experience God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ!
WHY WOULD I WANT TO BE A MEMBER?
IDENTITY: Membership identifies a person as a genuine believer (Ephesians 2:19; Romans 12:5).
SUPPORT: Membership provides a spiritual family to encourage and support you in your Christian walk of life (Galatians 6:12; Hebrews 10:24-25).
MINISTRY: Membership gives you a place to discover and use your spiritual giftedness for the benefit of the entire Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-27).
GROWTH: Membership places you in a position to grow spiritually in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?
At the end of each service we offer a “Hymn of Invitation” to give individuals an opportunity to respond. If you desire to place your membership with the West Side Church of Christ, we ask that you come forward during this time of decision. Your acceptance into our local body of believers will be completed in two ways
(1) Confession and Baptism.
If you are making a first time commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior, you will be asked to repeat a public confession of your faith (Acts 8:37) and be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Acts 2:38).
(2) Transfer of Membership
If you are already an immersed believer in Christ and a member of another Church, you will be asked to repeat a public confession of faith. Those who have not been immersed will be asked to do so.
Any of West Side’s members would be happy to discuss this with you in greater detail.
As a member of the West Side Family we would want you to become active in the life of our congregation by being supportive in attendance, prayer, Bible study, and giving. We would be happy to work with you to help you find your place in ministry and involvement in our church.