WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO FIND AT THE NORTH RIDGEVILLE CHURCH OF CHRIST?

You can expect to find a warm welcome (Rom. 15:7).

You will be treated as an honored guest. We also welcome your questions on anything that we teach or practice.

 You can expect to find a church that uses only the Bible as our guide.

 The North Ridgeville church seeks to abide by the New Testament as its only standard for faith and practice. We do not ascribe to any creed, catechism, manual, or discipline. Since Jesus is the spokesman for God today (Heb. 1:1-2), we rely on the New Testament for our authority. His words and teachings are recorded in the New Testament. We keenly feel the importance of correctly using this standard in worship and practice.

You can expect to find a self-governing church.

We are a church that stands alone having no organic ties with any other church or organization. The North Ridgeville church has elders who exercise the oversight of the church (1 Peter 5:1-2). These elders are members at North Ridgeville who meet certain qualifications (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).

 You can expect to find New Testament worship.  

We have congregational singing (Eph. 5:19). We are not concerned about how well people sing, only that our singing is offered to God from the heart. Jesus sang hymns with His disciples. Mark 14:26, "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."

We have congregational prayers. Early Christians came together to pray, thanking God and making requests unto Him (Acts 2:42; 12:5; Phil. 4:6).

We have preaching that directs our minds back to the Holy Scriptures. You will find every lesson based on what is written in the Bible. The apostle Paul gave a solemn charge to preachers to preach the word and in so doing, preach the "whole counsel of God" (2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 20:26, 27). The only way saving faith can be developed is through the word God has revealed (Rom. 10:17). At the end of the sermon, an invitation will be extended with a song that is sung by the congregation.  If there are those present who want to ask for help in their spiritual lives they may respond at this time. Some may ask for prayers. Others may confession a sin and solicite prayers for their struggle (1 Jn. 1:9; Acts 8:24).  Some may ask to be baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3, 4; Gal. 3:26, 27). If this occurs, the baptism will be conducted during the service in keeping with the New Testament practice of baptizing the “same hour” upon repentance and a confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ (Acts 16:33; 8:37-38).  The baptism will be by immersion in water that is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

We will have the opportunity to take the Lord's Supper during worship on Sunday (Matt. 26:26-29). If you attend a service on Sunday, the Lord’s Supper will be served.  We understand from the Scriptures that early disciples observed the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Since every week has a first day, we are committed to following their example and offer the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. This is not a common meal, but a memorial meal of what the Lord has done for us (1 Cor. 11:22-27).

We will have the opportunity to contribute or give of our means. Early disciples were commanded to give on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1, 2). This is the only day of the week on which we contribute to the work of the church. A container is available for the members of the church here to give. We do not solicit funds from visitors.

What is expected of you? Simply to come and learn the Lord. Build your faith only in what is found written in your Bible for that is what we will be judged from in the end (Jn. 12:48; Rev. 20:11-15). Jesus invites you to come! "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt. 11:28, 29).