How is the church of Christ organized?
The church of Christ refers to the entire body of faithful believers, through-out the world, who have
obeyed Christ’s commands and have been added to His church (Acts 2:47). It has no earthly head-
quarters and no universal organization. Each congregation is autonomous or “self-ruled” and is
independent of every other congregation because that is the pattern set in the New Testament. The
organizational pattern of the church is divine in origin because it has been established by God.
No man serves as earthly head over the church. Jesus Christ is recognized as the supreme ruler over
the church (Colossians 1:18). Christ has delegated authority in the management of the local cong-
regation to the elders, pastors, or bishops; three different terms referring to the very same office
(Acts 20:17, 28; Eph 4:11; I Timothy 3:1; Titus 1:5). The N.T. indicates a plurality of elders in
every congregation (Acts 11:30; 14:23). The qualifications are described in detail within (I Timothy
3:1–7 and Titus 1:5-9). In the N.T. these men are never shown as having authority over multiple
congregations, only the one in which they serve.
The church of Christ also has men known as preachers, ministers (I Timothy 2:7; 4:6), or
evangelists (II Timothy 4:5). We do not refer to our preachers with the term "Pastor" since this
term, as used in the N.T., refers to those men who have the oversight of the congregation. Neither do
our preachers assume religious titles such as "Reverend," inasmuch as this term is used only one
time in the Bible (Psalms 111:9) in reference to God. We believe the N.T. makes no distinction
between so-called "clergy" and "laity," and that “full-time” preachers are no more holy or worthy of
titles than any other member of the church.
obeyed Christ’s commands and have been added to His church (Acts 2:47). It has no earthly head-
quarters and no universal organization. Each congregation is autonomous or “self-ruled” and is
independent of every other congregation because that is the pattern set in the New Testament. The
organizational pattern of the church is divine in origin because it has been established by God.
No man serves as earthly head over the church. Jesus Christ is recognized as the supreme ruler over
the church (Colossians 1:18). Christ has delegated authority in the management of the local cong-
regation to the elders, pastors, or bishops; three different terms referring to the very same office
(Acts 20:17, 28; Eph 4:11; I Timothy 3:1; Titus 1:5). The N.T. indicates a plurality of elders in
every congregation (Acts 11:30; 14:23). The qualifications are described in detail within (I Timothy
3:1–7 and Titus 1:5-9). In the N.T. these men are never shown as having authority over multiple
congregations, only the one in which they serve.
The church of Christ also has men known as preachers, ministers (I Timothy 2:7; 4:6), or
evangelists (II Timothy 4:5). We do not refer to our preachers with the term "Pastor" since this
term, as used in the N.T., refers to those men who have the oversight of the congregation. Neither do
our preachers assume religious titles such as "Reverend," inasmuch as this term is used only one
time in the Bible (Psalms 111:9) in reference to God. We believe the N.T. makes no distinction
between so-called "clergy" and "laity," and that “full-time” preachers are no more holy or worthy of
titles than any other member of the church.
What exactly is the church of Christ?
Members of the church of Christ hold that the Biblical writers were inspired of God. Therefore, we
believe that the New Testament (N.T.) is without error and contains the final and complete
revelation from God to man (John 16:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jude 3). The N.T. teaches that the Old
Law was “blotted out, taken out of the way, and nailed to the cross” (Colossians 2:14). When the
Old Law was abolished, the new and better covenant went into effect (Heb. 8:6-7, 9:15-18).
Following the N.T. as the rule of “faith and practice” and the O.T. as an “example or tutor”
(Hebrews 8:5; Rom. 15:4; Gal. 3:24); members of the church of Christ purpose to speak where the
Bible speaks and to be silent where it is silent.
Congregations, like the one here in Webster, realize that the whole structure of Christianity rests
upon the divinity of Christ and His resurrection (I Corinthians 15:14). This means that only Christ
has the authority to say what the church is and what Christians should teach. We believe the church
today should be the same as that found in the N.T. scriptures. It should be the same in name,
organization, worship, law of conversion, and in the principles of Christians living.
In the N.T. we find a pattern for true worship.
1. Christians are to assemble regularly: (Heb 10:25)
2. When assembled they are to:
When you visit, you will meet people, just like you, who sincerely want to learn and follow theteachings of the Bible so that we can please God with our lives. You will hear sermons and class
lessons, based on “book, chapter, and verse”. We encourage members and visitors alike to bring their
Bibles and follow along. We “strive” to do Bible things in Bible ways, to call Bible things by Bible
names, nothing more or less (I Timothy 4:10).
believe that the New Testament (N.T.) is without error and contains the final and complete
revelation from God to man (John 16:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jude 3). The N.T. teaches that the Old
Law was “blotted out, taken out of the way, and nailed to the cross” (Colossians 2:14). When the
Old Law was abolished, the new and better covenant went into effect (Heb. 8:6-7, 9:15-18).
Following the N.T. as the rule of “faith and practice” and the O.T. as an “example or tutor”
(Hebrews 8:5; Rom. 15:4; Gal. 3:24); members of the church of Christ purpose to speak where the
Bible speaks and to be silent where it is silent.
Congregations, like the one here in Webster, realize that the whole structure of Christianity rests
upon the divinity of Christ and His resurrection (I Corinthians 15:14). This means that only Christ
has the authority to say what the church is and what Christians should teach. We believe the church
today should be the same as that found in the N.T. scriptures. It should be the same in name,
organization, worship, law of conversion, and in the principles of Christians living.
In the N.T. we find a pattern for true worship.
1. Christians are to assemble regularly: (Heb 10:25)
2. When assembled they are to:
 | Pray (I Thes 5:17; I Tim 2:1-3) | |
| Sing praises (Col 3:16; Eph 5:19) | |
| Teach or hear teaching (Acts 20:7) | |
| Partake of the Lord’s Supper weekly (I Corinthians 11:23-27) | |
| Give of their means (I Cor. 16:1,2) |
When you visit, you will meet people, just like you, who sincerely want to learn and follow the
lessons, based on “book, chapter, and verse”. We encourage members and visitors alike to bring their
Bibles and follow along. We “strive” to do Bible things in Bible ways, to call Bible things by Bible
names, nothing more or less (I Timothy 4:10).
About Us
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The Burnett County Church of Christ
Located in Webster Wisconsin
Located in Webster Wisconsin