More about the church of Christ

We are a non-denominational body of believers in Jesus Christ. Our goal is to be "Christians only." Our membership is made up of people from various backgrounds. The common faith we have in God and His word keeps us together as a spiritual family.

Each individual church of Christ congregation is self-ruled and independent of other congregations. Each congregation is governed by elders selected from among the male members. These are men who meet the specific qualifications for this office given in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Serving under the authority of the elders are deacons and ministers.

Jesus said, "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). We try, to the best of our ability, to follow this command in structuring our worship services. By careful study of the New Testament, it is revealed that items of worship observed by the first-century church were singing, praying, preaching, partaking of the Lord's Supper (communion), and giving an offering.

One worship practice that sets the church of Christ apart from most other religious groups is "a cappella" singing. We worship in song in this way because there is no Biblical mention of "instrumental" music in the first-century church (Matthew 26:30, Acts 16:25, Romans 15:9, I Corinthians 14:15, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 2:12, James 5:13). The result is a beautiful blending of all voices in the assembly, seeking to praise and glorify God in spirit and in truth.

Another area of distinction between the Church of Christ and other religious groups is the weekly observance of the Lord's Supper. It is observed in memory of Christ's crucifixion. In Acts 20:7, we find "And upon the first day of the week…the disciples came together to break bread." We follow this example and honor Jesus Christ every week by participating in this communion (I Corinthians 11:23-26).

If you visit a worship service of the church of Christ, you may, on occasion, witness someone being baptized following the sermon. After personal study, prayer, and meditation an individual may feel ready to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16, John 3:5, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, I Peter 3:21). When a person is baptized into Christ, he or she becomes a Christian and at that precise moment Christ adds them to the membership of His church (Acts 2:47). Since Christ died to save the whole world and the invitation to share in His saving grace is open to everyone (Acts 10:34-35, Revelation 22:17), we do not believe that anyone is "predestined" for salvation or condemnation. To accept or reject Christ is a matter of personal choice. Wherever you are at this moment, we hope you will decide to accept the love and salvation offered by Christ. We look forward to getting to know you through a visit to our worship services.

God's Plan of Salvation 

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According to the Bible all people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There is none righteous (Romans 3:10, 23). Man is unable to save himself. God knew this. Because of God's deep love for man He devised a plan to remove his sin and save his soul eternally. This plan centered on the sacrificial death of His only Son, Jesus Christ. It was God's great gift of love, mercy and grace (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-9). However, this great gift of salvation is conditional. To receive the benefits man must meet the conditions as follows:

  1. Hear the gospel message………..John 6:45; Romans 10:17
  2. ​Believe in Jesus Christ………….John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9
  3. Repent of sin…………………….....Acts 3:19; Luke 13:3​
  4. Confess faith in Christ………….Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10​
  5. Be baptized (immersed)………...John 3:5; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16​
  6. Live faithfully………………….....Revelation 2:10; Romans 5:1-2​

Are You Saved? ​

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Worship

Our worship to God is simple and reverent following the pattern found in the New Testament. Jesus said, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). We believe this scripture teaches that God is the object of our worship and that how we worship Him should be governed by His truth and offered from the heart.

Evangelism 

Evangelism is the mission of the Lord's church. Jesus charged His disciples, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature…" (Mark 16:15). We emphasize the importance of each Christian looking for opportunities to share his faith with others. As a congregation we are focusing on making the church and the message of Christ more visible in the community through various local outreach programs. Our world outreach efforts are found in the prayerful and financial support of The Gospel Broadcasting Network, Focus Press and Apologetics Press.

Benevolence

Helping those in need is a fundamental Christian principle. Thus, the annual budget of the congregation provides resources for helping those in the congregation or members of the community who have emergency needs. A food pantry is also maintained. Annual contributions are given to Mid-Western Children's Home, and the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund

Ministries 

​Nursing Home

The first Sunday of each month several members of the congregation, including our young people, conduct an afternoon worship service for the residents of Pataskala Oaks Care Center. It provides them an opportunity to sing old familiar hymns, hear a brief devotional message and to be led in prayer. It affords us an excellent opportunity to interact with them and hopefully to bring a little sunshine into their lives.​

Forty Plus (Seniors)​

Forty Plus is our seniors’ ministry. This group enjoys a wonderful camaraderie as they meet each Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. for fellowship and Bible study. On the first Thursday of the month, following the Bible class, the group goes out for a leisurely lunch together. On occasion special trips are taken.​

Women's Ministry​

The Women's Ministry focuses on needs that arise in the congregation due to illnesses, the birth of a child, or the death of a family member. The ladies plan, prepare and deliver meals where needed. A special touch is added to their ministry in the giving of "Sonshine baskets" to those who are confined at home during an illness or recovering from surgery. Periodically, the Women's Ministry hosts dinners for the ladies of the congregation providing a time of fellowship and devotion. Also, the women meet once a month, March through November, as a Bible book fellowship group

Congregational History

On December 19, 1966, a small group of Christians began meeting in the basement of the Pataskala Town Hall in Pataskala, Ohio. This was the beginning of the Church of Christ in Pataskala. This group had been members of the Reynoldsburg Church of Christ, but since they lived in Pataskala it was decided to establish a congregation in their own community. Don Cooper, minister of the Reynoldsburg congregation, did the preaching in the interim until Bob Black, Sr. came to be the full time minister. During his four year ministry, Bob led the congregation in a bond selling program to enable the building of a permanent meeting facility.

On February 6, 1971, the church began meeting in its present location at 9132 Blacks Road. The new building was paid in full in June, 1981 and a new addition was completed in January, 1983. Over the years the church has grown with its current membership at approximately 130.

Other ministers who have served the congregation through the years are Tom Anguish, Ron Adams, Dean Manning, Brad Ault, Bob Adams, Mike Gulley (youth minister), and Bill Hopkins. Roger Massey presently serves as minister. He and his wife Bonnie moved to Pataskala in January, 2001.