About Christ Church
Our Mission
Christ Church exists to attract people to the excellence of Jesus Christ, invite people into the joy of ministry, challenge people in the adventure of faith, and teach people a lifestyle of generosity.
Our Vision
In our lifetime we will attract thousands of people to a new life in Christ. We plan for the standard of our ministry to be the excellence of Christ.
We will help people find the right place to serve so they can enjoy ministry. And we will call people to noble challenges created by the adventure of faith.
As God blessed us in the past we anticipate His blessings in the future. These divine blessings will make us influential for Christ regionally, nationally, and internationally.
We will continue to organize our ministry to disciple the next generation of Christian leaders so we can be an effective church for 100 years and beyond.
Our Values
Real People. Real Faith. Real Life.
This describes the kind of people you will meet when you come to Christ Church.
We are real people striving to live out what we believe in our everyday lives. To do this we look to Jesus Christ to grow in grace, faith, joy and excellence.
We are working to be the kind of people who share the same kind of grace that Christ has shown us.
This kind of grace is marked by respect and service to one another. It is the kind of grace that seeks to treat people better than they deserve, strives to speak the truth in love, and lives with humility and consistency.
Our real faith shows up in how we practice generosity, saying yes to the adventures that God invites us into, and by having the courage to show up every single day saying yes to Jesus Christ.
Christ set an incredible example of excellence for us. We believe that Christ deserves our very best. To grow in excellence we work to grow into the full potential God has given each of us. We practice creativity, accountability, initiative, and ownership of the unique life God has given each of us.
We believe we were created for joy. Where happiness is dependent on circumstances, our joy is dependent on Christ. We practice joy by celebrating this one precious life we have been given, encouraging one another, showing appreciation for each other, living with authenticity and working towards unity.
Our Leadership
Christ Church is an elder-led congregation. Our College of Elders is the governing body of our church and responsible for our strategic direction and the evaluation and prioritization of the church’s business affairs. Elders are ultimately responsible for the quality of our church’s ministries and the overall spiritual well being of our church.
Our Elders are, Jeff Freese, Jacob Berger, Dr. Dave Collings (Lead Pastor), Ron McMillan, Jeff Russell, Nancy Duelley, and Karen Patterson.
God has provided various forms of leadership for His Church. At Christ Church we recognize additional leadership positions including Pastors, Staff, Deacons and others as deemed appropriate by the College of Elders.
Those who serve and minister in these roles collectively and individually oversee, provide for, and encourage the spiritual life, welfare, and total ministry of the congregation in order to insure the proper equipping of the saints for the works of service (Ephesians 4:12).
Who We Are
We believe in freedom in Christ, servant leadership and trying things that are too hard for us. We serve with a humble, tenacious, courageous and joyful spirit. We innovate to become more dangerous for good. As we follow the call of God, we aim for expertise and unity, so the Holy Spirit can work through us in more compelling ways.
We acknowledge many people don’t believe in or have given up on the idea of church. We exist to attract them to the excellence of Jesus Christ and to reconnect them to His idea of church. We commit ourselves to help people grow into their unique full potential in Christ. We design weekend services that connect the excellence of Christ to everyday life.
We invite people into our unique community so their personal story becomes a remarkable journey that speaks to the glory of God.
Our Beliefs
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. The Bible is our supreme and final authority in faith and life.
– 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
– Genesis 1:1, 26; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1, 3; 4:24; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 1:20; Ephesians 4:5-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man.
– Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13
We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature and become guilty sinners in thought, word, and deed.
– Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-24; Romans 3:25; 5:12-18; 1 John 1:8
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; that He rose victorious from the dead on the third day; and that all who believe in Him are justified by His shed blood.
– Isaiah 53; Matthew 20:28; John 3:16; Romans 3:24-26; 5:1; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 2:2; Matthew 28:6; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:14
We believe that all who come to Christ are drawn by grace through faith to accept the Lord Jesus Christ and are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God.
– John 3:3-5; 1:12-13; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; Ephesians 2:8- 9
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting joy of the saved and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
– John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:4-6; 11-15
We believe that all Christians are baptized by the Holy Spirit when they are born again. We believe that water baptism by immersion is the biblical testimony of the professed believer in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
– Acts 2:28-41,47; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 8:36-40; 10:47; 18:8; Romans 6:3,4; 1 Corinthians 12:13
We believe that those who partake of the Lord’s Supper should be born-again believers, walking in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
– Acts 2:42-46; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
We believe that as Christians we are to meet together regularly for worship, sacraments, and the encouragement of each other.
– Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:42, 46-47a
We believe that each Christian is equipped with spiritual gifts and commanded by Christ to participate by using their spiritual gifts in reaching the lost and discipling them for the advancement of His kingdom.
– Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 4:11-15
We are a congregation which is led by elder, pastoral, and deacon ministries.
Who should be baptized?
Everyone who believes in Christ*.
“So those who welcomed His word were baptized…” Acts 2:41
“When they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon believed. After being baptized he stayed constantly with Philip…” Acts 8:12-13
“Crispus, the official of the synagogue became a believer in the Lord, together with his household; and many Corinthians who heard Paul became believers and were baptized.” Acts 18:8
What is the meaning of baptism?
Baptism represents Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.
“…Christ died for our sins…He was buried…He was raised on the third day…” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
“…when you were buried with Him in baptism, you were also raised with Him through faith in the power of God…” Colossians 2:12
Baptism illustrates our new life as Christians.
“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore we have been buried with Him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
Baptism
Baptism does not make you a believer – it shows that you already believe. Baptism is an outward expression of the commitment you have already made to Christ by faith.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Why be baptized by immersion?
Because Jesus was baptized that way.
“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water…” Matthew 3:16
Every baptism in the Bible is by immersion.
(Example)…“Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” Acts 8:38-39
The word Baptism comes from the Greek word Baptizo which means “to immerse” or “dip under water.”
When should I be baptized?
As soon as you have become a believer.
“As they went along the road they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, water! What prevents me from being baptized?’… and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.” Acts 8:36 & 38
There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have trusted Christ with your life you can, and should be baptized. If you wait until you are “perfect”, you will never feel “good enough.”
*At Christ Church we wait until our children are old enough to understand the meaning of baptism before we baptize them. Generally, we expect that most youth (over 12 years) are capable of knowing the significance of personal sin, the need for salvation and that baptism signifies dying to an old way of life and being raised to a new life in Christ.
Although we do not baptize infants and young children we do dedicate them to the Lord along with their parents as part of our Community Service (see Baby Dedication).
I want to be baptized! What should I do?
Although we urge you not to hesitate in being baptized, baptisms are scheduled throughout the year and each person interested must meet with a pastor about their baptism. Please, contact the church office for the next baptism dates, (440) 236-8282.
What is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper?
We hold the view that the Lord’s Supper is a commitment rite. Christ taught us to observe this sacrament (eating of the bread and drinking of the cup) in remembrance of His death. So, as a visible statement of our consistent loyalty to Christ, we “do show the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26) through the observance of this ceremony.
Who May Participate in the Lord’s Supper?
Christ taught us to observe this sacrament “in remembrance” of Him, so all may participate in the Lord’s Supper who have made a commitment to Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:28 informs us of what we must do before taking the bread and the cup: “But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” This teaches us that we must be sufficiently mature and willing to examine our relationship to Christ before we participate in this ceremony.
At Christ Church, we invite all lovers of Jesus Christ to observe with us and reject all denominational barriers to the Lord’s Supper. Your family and friends from other churches who love Christ are invited to partake of the Lord’s Supper.
Philippians 2:10 reminds us “that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” This Scripture teaches us that it is fitting and right to bow before Christ as our Lord. So, before we observe the Lord’s Supper, we all bow to quietly confess our sins and to recommit ourselves to Christ.
Dr. A.A. Hodge, a Princeton theologian, wrote a fitting conclusion to our beliefs about the sacraments, saying, “The sacramentum in classical Latin came to mean specially the soldiers’ oath.” In ancient times, before Roman soldiers were paid, they performed their sacramentum. They renewed their oath of allegiance to Caesar and to Rome. Similarly, when we as Christians are baptized, we are announcing our allegiance to Christ. And every time we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we renew that oath of allegiance.
Check our Events page to find when we serve the Lord’s Supper.
What is the meaning of Baby Dedication?
The act of dedicating children to the Lord was a common practice of blessing among the people of God in both Old and New Testament times. In addition, it was also a statement by the parents recognizing that their child really belonged to God.
Samuel’s mother dedicates her son to the Lord:
“…As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed and the Lord has granted the petition I made to Him. Therefore, I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:26-28
Jesus was dedicated to the Lord:
“When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.” Luke 2:22
As Christians today, we dedicate children with the same purpose in mind.
As a parent, what is expected of me?
Dedication is a public expression of faith and commitment on the part of the parents and of blessing on the part of God through His Church. This act by the parents is a prayerful declaration of their stewardship over God’s gracious gift to them.
“People were bringing little children to Him in order that He might touch them, and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant, and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:13-16
Baby dedication is more than a ritual. It’s a commitment on the part of parents to honor the will and the Word of God. As a part of this dedication parents are asked to:
- Recognize that your children belong to God and have been born to experience His love and to serve Him.
- Pray daily for God’s direction in your lives and in the lives of your children.
- Faithfully participate in worship with your children.
- Teach your children the truths of God’s Word in your home.
- Anticipate and seek to gently lead your children to personal faith in Christ.
“Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
Should I have my baby baptized?
Baptism is an outward expression of a personal commitment to Christ by faith (see Baptism). At the Christ Church we wait to baptize our children until they are old enough to understand personal sin, the need for salvation and that baptism signifies dying to an old way of life and being raised to a new life in Christ. Generally we expect that most youth (over age 12) are capable of this kind of understanding. We urge parents with babies or young children to dedicate them to the Lord now and commit to disciple them toward personal faith in Christ and baptism.
What will the dedication be like?
Parents and relatives are invited to assemble and participate with you during your child’s dedication. The dedication will consist of the Lead Pastor praying specifically for your child. Then other leaders will pray for the Lord’s blessing on you and ask the church to help nurture and disciple children toward faith in Christ.
Guidelines
Baby dedication is open to parents who can truthfully say, “I will commit myself to raising this child to know the Lord Jesus Christ by loving, discipling, training and setting a positive Christlike example.”
What should I do if I would like to dedicate my child?
Baby dedications are scheduled on a regular basis throughout the year. For more information, please contact Rachel at the church office, (440) 236-8282 ext. 200.
All parents dedicating a child will be asked to attend a one-hour baby dedication class. More details will be given when registering.
Our Affiliation
Christ Church is non-denominational which means we are autonomous and govern our affairs independent of a denomination. Recognizing, however, the benefits of cooperation with others in evangelism, leadership development, ministry enhancement and discipleship, we associate with other churches and Christian organizations.