Church of Christ 38th Street

Information may not be reliable

If there is one question I’ve been asked more often than any other over the years, it is “The church of Christ, what denomination is that?” The answer I give to this question has never changed. The church of Christ is not a denomination, but simply a New Testament church. It is not a part of any organization, or structure, but, rather, each congregation of the church is independent, overseen by a group of elders.
If you attend the Northwest church, you will find the Bible preached, and taught in our classes for all ages. You will find a friendly, welcoming group of Christians. You will experience worship with congregation singing, not accompanied by any instruments of music as the Bible prescribes for the New Testament church. You will find opportunities to learn more about the word, and will, of God.
We welcome all guests, and would like to meet you. The doors are open, people are ready to greet you and make you feel “at home.” If you want to learn more about the church, its practices and purpose, join us at any of our services, on Sunday, or Wednesday evening. We look forward to seeing and greeting you at the Northwest church of Christ.
Lance Lindenberger, Pulpit Minister

Letter To The Congregation
Long, long, ago, a wise man wrote: “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). The intent of this statement was to point out that, without giving consideration to the future, and what it holds for us, we are squandering the opportunities of the present.
God’s people have always needed vision, to both meet the challenges of the present, and to prepare for the challenges of the future. In a series of meetings, the elders of the Market Avenue and 38th Street congregations have discussed merging these two bodies to become one congregation to serve the needs, and to meet the challenges presented by the Canton community. We have, by serious and prayerful deliberation, determined that such a merger is in the best interest of both congregations and now wish to make that known to the saints in both locations that on January 3rd, 2010 this will be completed.
Having carefully considered the positives and negatives of such a merger, it was seen that the former far outweighed the latter, and, with the vision of a productive and growing body before us, built on two congregations, both of which have a very rich history in this community, and both of which have much to give to such a merger.
The vision is of one congregation with combined resources, financial and physical, and combined personnel which, in its new strength, will be better able to fulfill the primary mission of the Lord’s church, to reach lost souls with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Along with this, we will have the equally-important task of restoring those who have fallen away over the past years. A combination of these two congregations will also eliminate unnecessary duplication of efforts in the community, better use of the membership of both congregations, more ability to do benevolent work, and more uplifting and strengthening fellowship in worship, Bible classes, and those times when we gather socially. Both congregations’ education ministries can benefit, with more staff and students. All of this equates to better stewardship on the part of the Lord’s people here in Canton.
The elderships, and current staffs, will remain active in this new, single church, and the history of each congregation will be respected, and honored, as we go forward into what can be a wonderful, and exciting, time for the church in Canton. While the church will meet at the 38th Street location, it will no longer be known as 38th Street, to reflect the new beginning this single congregation will represent.
On January 1, 1832, at the Hill Street Meeting House in Lexington, Kentucky, “Raccoon” John Smith rose to speak. Two groups known as “Reformers” and “Christians” had come together to consider a union. Both groups had been working independently for the restoration of New Testament Christianity. Smith addressed the gathering with these words:
“God has but one people on the earth. He has given to them but one book, and therein exhorts and commands them to be one family; a union such as we plead for – a union of God’s people on that one book – must be practical . . . The prayer of our Savior, and the whole tenor of His teaching clearly show that it is God’s will that His children should be united.”
Within a very short period of time the two groups were united and many congregations agreed to merge, worship and work together. It is with this same attitude of unity displayed by those in Lexington in 1832, the combined elderships have determined that the merging of the two congregations would greatly benefit the Kingdom of God in this area.
There is no doubt that there are questions that must still be dealt with, but it is the hope of the elders that, combined, the members of both congregations will follow them down this new and exciting road. Great opportunities and possibilities lay before us. Let us rise up and build in a spirit of unity and brotherhood. (Nehemiah 2:20)
The Elders Northwest Church of Christ