Welcome Home
If you're looking for a church home that is true to God's word, welcome to
Green's Lake Road Church of Christ!
About Green's Lake Road Church of Christ
Our Beliefs
What does the Church of Christ believe?
The Church of Christ does not claim to be any denomination. We are not governed by a central headquarters or any other centralized organization. The church is autonomous (self-governing) under the authority of only one head which is Christ. We have no creed or declaration of faith besides the Bible. Specifically, we follow the New Covenant which includes the teachings of Jesus and his apostles.
What could I expect at a typical worship service?
Our worship could probably be described as "primitive". By primitive, it is meant that the worship is simple in its form. There are five acts of worship which we practice.
The first of these is prayer. Prayers are generally led near the beginning of the service, before the taking of the Lord's Supper, and at the closing of each service.
The second act of worship is giving. Only members of the church are expected to give at our services. All works of the church are supported through the free-will giving of our members.
We also partake of the Lord's supper at each Sunday morning service. This includes the bread and the fruit of the vine. The Lord's Supper is also served each Sunday evening for those who were unable to attend on Sunday morning.
Fourthly, we practice acapella singing. The word acapella is a Latin word meaning "music in the chapel". We sing without musical instruments just as the early church did. Also noteworthy is that all singing is congregational. This means that we do not have soloists or choirs. This type of singing allows each individual to sing with melody in his heart. "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." Ephesians 5:19
Finally, we always have a message from the Bible. At the end of each sermon, it is a tradition that the congregation rise to sing a "song of encouragement". This is considered a convenient time for individuals to come before the congregation to ask for prayers, repent of public wrong, or become a Christian. In our services we strive to worship God "in Spirit and in Truth" (John 4:23). Although we strive to have worship services which are uplifting to all of those in attendance, our primary goal is to lift up the name of God in all that we do.
OUR HISTORY
October 4, 1959, a beautiful Lord's Day, marked the occasion of the first meeting of the Green's Lake Road Church of Christ. Most of the 200 Christians assembled that day were now to be former members of the East Ridge congregation.
Construction of the Green's Lake Road meeting house began in the spring of 1959. It initially consisted of a 500 seat auditorium, a nursery, 12 basement classrooms and an office. An educational annex was completed in 1975 adding many classrooms, offices and other needed areas. A preacher's house was built in 1965. The property of the congregation consists of several acres, allowing for future expansion as various needs, resources, and opportunities allow and warrant.
The congregation has consistently been committed to the evangelization of East Ridge and beyond. Through the years, various programs have been initiated and sundry projects and missionaries have been supported to this end. Presently the congregation is engaged in local outreach programs as well as a large Bible Correspondence Course program reaching all across the United States with more than 200 courses processed each week. The congregation is supporting two local television programs. Other mission work areas include Ukraine, India, Caribbean, Africa, Malaysia, Honduras, and Nicaragua. A Vacation Bible School is held in June of each year and an annual youth day is hosted the first Saturday in August. The first annual Men's Leadership Seminar was held May 2014.
The Chattanooga School of Preaching and Biblical Studies began in 2000. The objective of the school is to provide structured, in depth studies in the Bible and related subjects. Both men and women are encouraged to enroll. Classes are held on Monday nights at the Green’s Lake Road building and Tuesday nights at Etowah. Currently there are about 40 students enrolled representing various area congregations.
The Green’s Lake Road congregation has always been very active in benevolent work. It has energetically and liberally responded to local and national disasters and needs. It is presently supporting the Potter Children's Home at Bowling Green, Kentucky. A food pantry is maintained to help address local needs.
Former preachers have been: James Eaton, Ben Flatt, Dale Randolph, William Hartline, Don McWhorter, Terry Harnden, Michael Hughes, Reid Perry, and Roger Campbell. The present local evangelists are Rick Owens and James R. Lewis. Other special evangelists and workers have included Clarence McGee, Ron Coles, Doug McVey, Tim Arthur, Lance Perry, Jacob Campbell, and Chad Dollohite.
Former elders have been David Boyd, Junnus Womack, Ward Collett, Don McWholter, George Ranrey, D.C. Martin, Earl Britton, John Fields, J. Peers, Joel Hillis, Cecil Chaffin, Sam Vandergriff, and James Lewis.
The Green's Lake Road congregation anticipates a great future as it continues to serve God with all diligence. If God be willing, her best days are yet ahead. The goal of Green's Lake Road church is to be faithful to God in belief, worship, work, and service. To this end we ask God's blessings upon our feeble efforts.