Shawmut Community

Concerning the Word of God

The Bible Is Our Rule of Faith

We are part of the Church of God movement. The Church of God movement has maintained a sure belief that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. We believe the Bible is the foundation for instruction in the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul said, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16, niv).

The Bible tells the story of Jesus—"the greatest story ever told." It tells of men and women who found life at its highest and also experienced life at its most dreadful depths—persons such as Jonah, Job, Esther, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, and Matthew.

The stories and teachings of the Bible are not to be creedalized. We would not abbreviate the Bible and its teachings into a sixteen-sentence statement or expand it to a five-volume index of faith. We do appreciate short statements that are affirmations by a group or an individual. We can never suggest, however, that those statements adequately summarize the Bible. Nor are such statements wisely used as a basis to determine orthodoxy or membership in the church. Though we are tempted to make the Bible a list, a prescription, or a proposition, we remind ourselves that it is instead the Book of Life that vibrates with the stories of real persons and the living God.

There is probably only one major rule for the use of the Bible: Read it! We honor the Bible by accepting the fact that Jesus Christ is The Savior and by worshiping Him as Lord of life. He is the Living Word to whom the Bible, the written Word, witnesses (John 1:1–18). As Barry L. Callen has written, the Bible is for us

Ordinances Are Rich Experiences for Believers

Ordinances are worship and faith disciplines which have specifically been ordained by Jesus in his instructions to his followers. We believe the ordinances are symbolic of something that is happening in the believer as a direct act of God's Spirit. The symbolic act witnesses to an inner reality. These symbols affirm and remind us of what God has done in Christ.

Baptism by immersion is a first step for the new believer. The term baptism means to immerse. Immersion of believers is the only form of baptism that is indicated in the New Testament. Through baptism, the new believer witnesses to a new spiritual dimension in his or her life. Baptism is also a witness to the church that the new believer is a part of its fellowship and work and to family and friends that he or she is now an active participant in the Christian community (Mark 1; Matthew 28; Acts 2:38).

The Lord's Supper, often called Communion, is an affirmation of oneness in Christ. In the sacramental churches, it is often called the Eucharist ("thanksgiving"), a reference to the thanks offered over the bread and the cup (1 Corinthians 10:16). The Lord's Supper and Communion are both terms used by Paul in his writings (1 Corinthians 11:20; 1 Corinthians 10:16, kjv). Church of God congregations frequently share the elements of the Lord's Supper. Many have Communion on the first Sunday of each month (including World Communion Sunday), on New Year's Eve, and on Maundy Thursday. The bread and the cup are symbolic of the grace experienced in the life of the believer.

Foot washing is an ordinance practiced by many church groups. It is an act symbolizing the servant ministry of all Christians to each other and to the world. Usually men assemble in one room and women in another. In some congregations, young persons assemble separately so they can be instructed more fully on the meaning and practice of foot washing. Some congregations now provide opportunity for family groups to participate in the ordinance of foot washing. Persons wash each other's feet, sing hymns, and give personal testimonies of God's blessing on their lives. Participation is not considered a test of faith. Rather, it is a spiritual experience which Christians are encouraged to observe and join.

Infant dedication is not considered an ordinance, but it is consistent with the instructions of Jesus. He said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Matthew 19:14, niv). Parents are encouraged to present themselves with their infants for a time of dedication in public worship, the act reminiscent of the presentation of Samuel by his mother as told in the Old Testament and Jesus by his parents as told in the New Testament. It is a time for the church and the parents to acknowledge the child as a gift from God, commit themselves to rear the child in awe and respect of God, and ask God's blessings upon the body, mind, and spirit of the child.

Infant baptism is not practiced in the Church of God movement. Infant baptism is usually an act on the part of parents by which they believe saving grace is imparted by God to the child. Later in life, the child is asked to confirm that decision by the parents after receiving instruction in the faith.

We believe a child is innocent and already in the grace of God. Later the child, in some stage of his or her growth and training, will come to a time when he or she responds to the conviction and leadership of the Holy Spirit and will have an opportunity to accept Christ as Savior. It is at that time the child, youth, or adult will be baptized.

We believe a wedding is a worship service of the church. A marriage should be entered into with discretion, wisdom, and a recognition that it is a marvelous gift from God to both the couple and the families involved. We believe a marriage begins best with a wedding that is a worship experience and with both parties committed to Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives and home.

Information on this page is excerpted from Oral and Laura Withrow, Meet Us at the Cross (Anderson, IN: Warner Press, 1999), 5–17.

• We are a God-honoring church that worships the one true God who co-exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
• We are a Christ-centered church that proclaims Christ's deity and His lordship over all (John 1:1,14; Phil. 2:5-11).
• We are a Bible-teaching church that believes in the divine inspiration and final authority of God's Word (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
• We are an evangelical church that preaches salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:8).
• We are a non-denominational church that encourages fellowship and unity among all believers regardless of denominational affiliation (Eph. 4:4-6).
• We are a Spirit-filled church that relies on the Holy Spirit to make us effective in our ministry and witness for Christ (Acts 1:8; Eph. 5:18).
• We are a Spirit-led church that welcomes the orderly exercise of all spiritual gifts which exalt Christ and edify the church (1 Cor. 14:26; 1 Pe. 4:10).
• We are a consecrated church that yields to the Holy Spirit as He works in us to cultivate godliness and disciplined living (Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Cor. 7:1).
• We are a loving church that recognizes love as an essential ingredient in the life of every believer (1 Cor. 13).
• We are a giving church that acknowledges Christ's lordship over all that we have including our money, time, and talents (Prov. 3:9; Matt. 25:14-27).
• We are an expectant church that anticipates Christ's return to receive His church and judge the world (Matt. 24:42-44; 1 Thes. 4:16-17).

Shawmut Community Church of God is affiliated with the Church of God, with headquarters in Anderson , IN.

Who We Are

This Is How We View Membership

We like the way the Church of God identifies its members. No one person decides that another will or will not be admitted to membership in a local group. Neither congregations nor congregational leaders vote on who shall be received as members. The Church of God believes that when one accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, God places that person in the church (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:18). Salvation is the criterion for membership in a congregation of the Church of God.  The first preachers and lay workers of this reformation movement sang lustily about that type of membership:

We also like what the Church of God movement says about maintaining membership in the church. One maintains membership by participating in the worship services and fellowship of the congregation.

In our congregation we refer to each other as "brothers" and "sisters" in the Lord.

How Can a Person Join the Church of God?

1. If you are not a Christian (that is, not saved, not born anew, not a disciple of Jesus Christ), then you will follow the direction given by Jesus Christ, "Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel (good news) of the kingdom of God, saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:14-15). 

You will want to confess your sins in prayer, ask God to forgive your sinful way of living, and invite Jesus Christ to come into your life as Savior (one who rescues) and Lord (commander who leads and directs). You may be able to do this alone, but many persons have found that the assistance of a thoughtful and mature Christian is helpful at this time (Matthew 11:28). When you accept Jesus Christ as Savior, you are born into the church You are a new creation in Christ (John 3:1–7; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Through the cross you have become a member.

2. If you are a Christian (that is, saved, born anew, a disciple of Jesus Christ), then let the pastor and other persons in the congregation know you are a Christian and want to begin worshiping and fellowshiping with the congregation. Then say to family, friends, and acquaintances, "I am a member of the Church of God." Your witness at this point is important to you and to the church. Because of the Cross of Christ, you are a member.

Practical Perspectives on Membership

a. A person who has been a member of a denomination may wish, for his or her own purposes, to bring a letter to the Church of God pastor; however, you are not required to bring a letter. Your personal affirmation of faith, your participation, and your Christian character will demonstrate that you are a part of the family of God.

b. A consistent demonstration of Christian character is appropriate before persons are recognized for responsible positions of leadership in the life of the local church.

c. There is room for differences of opinion in the fellowship. Perfect agreement on minute details of doctrine and practice is not required. An open mind and an open heart are characteristic of a vital group of Christians.

d. The congregation seeks to carry on financial and property matters in a fashion consistent with common business practices, state laws and in accord with Biblical Ethics. Therefore, the congregation destinguishes voting membership from Christian membership. Voting membership is defined and of how long a person is required to have been worshiping with the congregation before being able to attend with voting rights during a business meeting. Voting membership is identified to meet requirements of the congregations ByLaws as required for incorporation; among the requirements are a personal witness to a Christian experience and a lifestyle consistent with the teachings of the Church of God.

e. A person removes himself or herself from membership in the Church of God when he or she is no longer committed to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord or when his or her lifestyle is inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus and other clear teachings of the New Testament. Most persons do not have to be told of this; it is obvious to both the individual and the congregation.