Loading ...How To Say “Church of Christ”
“Where do you work?” “I am the minister for the Castle Rock church of Christ.” This has happened a few times in the last few days. How do we express where we go to church? One can say “I am just a Christian only,” but the problem is that no one knows where this church is in town. Most times people are not going to engage you in a long conversation about Christianity in the market place. We can say “I am a Christian only” and hope for a second question for more information, but often there is no follow-up comment. It is tempting to state “A Christian Church” but then the people might search out a Christian Church’s fellowship in the desire to hunt me down for some spiritual need. This desire not to state “church of Christ” comes from the tension of desiring not to be denominational. It is a great desire and one that needs to be expressed in this culture and world. But the other problem with not mentioning “church of Christ” is that often I feel like I am avoiding the issue. It feels that I am being deceptive. I attend a “church of Christ” and I am not ashamed of this. On the other hand, I do not want people to be turned off from coming to church because of some baggage with the name. But I must let people know where I work and attend in the hope that maybe these people will seek me out for spiritual help. I want to combine the non-denominational aspect of the church with a location for people to come if there is a need. So the question today is “how do I say church of Christ?”
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About The Author
Any advice or stories?
I preach for the Castle Rock church of Christ. We would love to have you as our guest. I do understand what you are saying but Don’t you love a name that tells people immediately, “I belong to Christ?” Been through the ways to say where I preach and where I worship. Found the best way is to honor the name Of Jesus and be proud of her name.
Good advice.
Matthew, not having been “in” a church of Christ for very long, I don’t understand this hangup with being labelled “denominational”. Yes, I have read and discussed the concepts but I don’t identify with them. And my church proudly has on it’s webpage : “Northside Community Church is affiliated with Churches of Christ in Australia, a mainstream denomination which is known for a number of special emphases” etc…
IMHO as a newcomer to churches of Christ, it is alienating to go off about the evils of denominationalism to folk who are quite likely not even seekers, never mind Christians. And it just gets up the noses of those in other denominations, who have no idea why anyone has an issue with the concept of denominationalism. Proudly tell people that you serve with a church of Christ (or even a Church of Christ) and see what doors that opens for further discussion.
Good thoughts Wendy. The advice of just be who you are is always good.
A few weeks ago, I was asked, “Terry, what church are you a member of?”
I said, “Church of Christ.”
“I didn’t know you were a member of Barack Obama’s church,” was the reply.
I had to say, “I’m not. He was a member of a United Church of Christ. It’s a liberal denomination. We’re not. We just sound similar.”
Sometimes our name is confusing, since different denominations can refer to themselves as “Church of Christ” (United Church of Christ, Pentecostal Church of Christ, etc.). Sometimes our name is a barrier, since some people have been abused by Churches of Christ or our members. However, sometimes it can open doors to conversations. One of my customers asked where I went to church. When she found out I am a member of a Church of Christ, she responded, “Oh, I just love the Church of Christ!” I’m not sure what she has experienced from Churches of Christ or our members, but she was impressed. I hope that others think of the Churches of Christ as full of kind, solid, fair, and friendly people because of my influence in their lives, too. At least, that’s my goal.
When I was a minister in Ithaca, there were two Churches of Christ. The other congregation would advertise sermon series such as “Who Will Burn in Hell” in the local papers. In a socially liberal culture such as Ithaca, you can only imagine the impact this has on people. Occasionally people would associate us with that congregation (which did not recognize us as Christians). BUt most of the time, people recognized us as that congregation that ran a coffee house ministry for high-school students. What that taught me is that people will recognize the congregation according to the reputation it builds. So I found myself just answering “I am the minister of the Ithaca Church of Christ.”
In another community, it might be different. I believe your context will help you determine best how to respond to people in the initial conversation.
God bless,
Rex
Brother, I just say, “I’m a Christian.” I don’t add any prefixes or suffixes. Now, if I’m trying to establish a relationship with someone that I hope will open a door of opportunity to influence them for Christ I don’t say anything about the larger brotherhood I’m part of, I just say the specific congregation. “I work with the Highland Heights Church of Christ.”
I agree with one of the comments above that we don’t need to introduce seekers (or the unchurched who are not yet seeking, or the churched who have no “hang-ips”) to a divisive issue that isn’t even on their radar. They’ve got enough problems already.
I struggled with this issue too, even being for removing the name on the sign, at one point in my life not too terribly long ago. Finally, I realized that there is no such thing as a “name” that is free from stigmatization, and that the one we use is Scriptural. So, I’m over it. I’m a member of the church of Christ or Church of Christ and it doesn’t matter to me if you capitalize it or not.
I appreciate the question, bro.
—JLP
The whole big “C” or little “c” is confusing to me too.
The who big “C” or little “c” thing is confused my our own doing. Some in our brotherhood will speak of the “churches of Christ” which should mean the entire body of Christ both geographically and historically. However, some who use the little “c” are referring to only those congregations that have historical roots in the a capella branch of the Restoration Movement and have on the marquee sign “Church of Christ.” Thus, in truth they are really referring to a distinct group of believers within the history of Christiansity who identify (denominate) themselves with the common title “Churches of Christ” as their identifying name.
If some are offended by the claim that a non-denominational/undenominational (again, mere semantics) has denominated itself then offense up with those who have insisted that we use only one singural description in scripture for the church (and there are some in our brotherhood willing to “write up” any congregation that would stray from the exclusive use of “Church of Christ” alone). Also take that up with the many organizations associated with our brotherhood who have named their organization “Churches of Christ X fund, “Churches of Christ Y Group,” and “Churches of Christ Z Network.”
I prefer to practice non-denominational Christianity because I believe it is biblical and for that, I am thankful that our brotherhood does not have any governing board beyond the local congregation (though their are certainly journals, lectureships, and editors who try to fulfill such a role). But the fact is, for a non-denominational movement, in some other aspects we have become a denomination. So what are we to do? Keep arguing about it to the point of more division or accept it in the manner of realizing there are bigger issues (like sharing the story of Jesus to a world that knows less and less of Jesus) that need our attention? I say the later is the answer but I know some will disagree.
Grace and peace,
Rex