At the Decker Prairie church of Christ, we believe it matters a great deal which church you attend. Not for the music, and not because of the parking lot. It matters because Jesus built one church, and He told us in His word what it teaches and how it worships.
We should say up front that we speak only for our own congregation. Churches of Christ have no headquarters, and every congregation answers to Christ on its own, so not every church with the name is the same. What follows is generally true among non-institutional churches of Christ. It’s certainly how we see it here.
Here are the passages that shape our answer.
Matthew 16:18: One Church, and It’s His
Jesus told Peter, “on this rock I will build my church” (). Two words stand out to us. “My” means it belongs to Him. “Church” is singular. Both matter.
Acts 2:47: The Lord Does the Adding
On the day the church began, thousands obeyed the gospel. Luke closes the chapter this way: “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” ().
We don’t vote anyone in. When someone is saved the Lord adds them to His church. It’s His work.
Ephesians 4:4 and Colossians 1:18: One Body, One Head
Paul says there’s one body (), and he tells us the body is the church, with Christ as its head (). Everyone who is saved is baptized into that one body (). So when we think about which church to be part of, we aren’t shopping for the best fit the way you’d compare two stores across town, because what we’re really asking is where Christ is actually honored as the head. Nothing else settles it.
2 John 9: Staying Inside His Teaching
A church can have a great nursery and warm people and still teach something Christ didn’t. John wrote, “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” ().
That’s why we care what a church teaches about how to be saved (), how it worships (), and who leads it.
Matthew 15:9: When Sincere Worship Misses
Jesus said of devoted, religious people: “in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” ().
They meant every word, but it was not God’s commandments they taught. We take that as a warning to ourselves first. Sincerity matters, but it’s God’s word that measures us.
John 12:48: What We’re Not Saying
We’re not saying we can see into anyone’s heart. We can’t. Jesus said His word will judge on the last day (). That’s His job. Many sincere people worship in churches that differ from the New Testament, and we don’t question their love for God. We just believe the choice is too important to make by feelings and emotions.
Acts 17:11: How We’d Ask You to Weigh Any Church
The Bereans set the pattern: “they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (). We’d ask you to do the same with us. A few questions we’d bring to any congregation, ours included:
- Does it teach baptism as the apostles did (; )?
- Is its worship what the New Testament describes (1 Corinthians 14)?
- Is Christ the only head, with no creed beside the Bible and elders overseeing their own flock (; )?
Read the book of Acts with those in mind. Then compare.
Somewhere Real to Belong
You want your life to count, and you want to belong somewhere that isn’t a facade. We think that starts with belonging to the church Jesus built. Krista Everett, who’s been a member here for 15 years, put it simply: “A group of Christians simply following the Bible.” If you’d like to see that for yourself, we’re on Hardin Store Road in Magnolia. Watch for our sign at the only road leading to the building, then follow it around the corner.
Plan your visit and you’ll know just where to park.
To see what the Bible says about becoming a Christian, start here.
When we meet:
- Sunday: Worship 10am, Bible Class 5pm
- Wednesday: Bible Class 7:30 pm
