NRCC
is a part of an historic movement of the Independent Christian Churches and
Instrumental Churches of Christ, which currently numbers over 5,000
congregations with well over 1,000,000 member's nation wide. The Restoration Movement came about as a result of what is known as the Cane Ridge Revival
of the 1840's.
We
are dedicated to the restoration of the New Testament church as it was
originally designed and implemented as seen in the Book of Acts. In our effort
to reconstruct the New Testament body of Christ, we have committed ourselves to
several foundational principles.
1.
We know that we
are not the only Christians, but wish to be known as Christians only.
2.
We
accept the Bible as the inspired Word of God, without error in its original text
and useful for giving wise
direction in all of life's situations.
3.
We strive to develop the reunion of the unity of all true believers in
Jesus Christ. [John 17]
4. We celebrate the Lord's Supper on a weekly basis, as did the early church [Acts 20:7]
5. We follow the specific commands of Jesus [Matt. 28:19], the Holy Spirit [John 16:12-15, Acts 2:38], and the Apostles [Acts 10:47-48] to baptize by immersion for forgiveness of sin and identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. [Romans 6:1-4].
Jesus
gave his life as a Sacrifice for sin that mankind could be restored to a right
relationship with God our Father. There exists no example in scripture of a
loving Father who either encouraged or condoned his children to fight and
criticize and ignore one another.
The
idea that a God who is perfect in nature and character would be so feeble as to
plan for His only Son to become the head of a broken, twisted, and palsied body
that could not or would not cooperate and love one another is simply demonic in
origin.
The scriptures plainly teach in I Corinthians 12:12-13:13 and in John 17 that God's plan was for one body, one church. This in no way implies that all churches should be clones. Many of us have earthly brothers who are not our twins. We do not reject or condemn one another for it, but are able to work together in unity for common goals.
We believe that the body of Christ is varied and beautiful in gifting and in ministries. We also reject the fleshly notion that the name on a door can determine ones standing before God. Jesus spoke the standard in simple honest truth when he said; "You shall know them by their fruit." [Matt. ] "The world will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.' [John 13:34-35].
The scriptures plainly teach in I Corinthians 12:12-13:13 and in John 17 that God's plan was for one body, one church. This in no way implies that all churches should be clones. Many of us have earthly brothers who are not our twins. We do not reject or condemn one another for it, but are able to work together in unity for common goals. True biblical doctrine does not divide, spiritual and intellectual pride divides.
Have our denominational ties fostered this love?
"Has the wedge between us borne this fruit?"
The Word of God declares that there is a more excellent way.
In
the Book of Acts, we find that the Apostle Paul, in his travels to expand the
Kingdom of God, appointed Elders in every church [Titus
1:5].
The Scripture is quite explicit concerning both the qualifications and the
ministry of the Eldership as Pastors and Shepherds of the flock of God's people [I
Timothy 3:1-7
and
1 Peter 5:1-3].
In
Acts 6 We find that as a specific problem arose within the body, Servants,
sometimes called Deacons were established to care for those specific situations.
Decision making within the body of Christ was left mostly to the individual
congregations. There was no formal national government. Significant spiritual
difficulties brought the Elders together to make decisions based upon God's
Word. Exactly how those decisions were made or the body governed is not detailed
anywhere in scripture except by the leading and influence of the Holy Spirit.
At NRCC, we have found, as many are, that making decisions by majority rule through a vote is cumbersome, divisive, and often ineffective. The selfish sinful nature too easily prevails. For over eight years now we have not voted on anything except a church budget. All decisions are made through ministry teams and held by unified consensus.
Each
team has been given specific responsibilities through a job description, and has
the authority to dispense and implement those responsibilities, whether
financially, or physically. Each team also is given the trust of the body to be
good stewards of those responsibilities. We have found that without faith in
God, AND trust in one another, unity
is impossible.
In the making of decisions, we pray and talk until we have a plan that everyone on the team finds workable and is willing to do their best to make it happen. When we don't agree, we don't move. We pray, ask for prayer, and continue talking in the spirit of mutual ministry together. We have very few conflicts, cooperate with, and serve one another with surprising effectiveness. The unity of the body at NRCC has become our strength to move us into effectiveness in all we undertake. When problems or conflicts arise, we resolve them effectively, after a biblical pattern, and continue to grow in our relationships as a result. To the best of our experience -
THIS IS NEW
TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY.