Church of Christ
Phone: 802-254-6906
303 Western Avenue
Brattleboro, VT 05301
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Who We Are
We are a non-denominational Bible believing congregation of 90 precious souls. Nearly forty percent of our number are children (under the age of 12). Therefore, much of our activity is geared toward children. We have Bible Classes for children, conduct a junior worship service, and encourage family participation in most of our events.Our congregation is somewhat diverse. We have several singles, numerous young married families, some retired families, and some young teens. There are native Vermonters as well as a few Southerners. Scripture tells us that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" (Galatians 3:28-29). No one will have special status based on race or gender in Heaven, we are all equally heirs of Heaven. Therefore, we recognize and value one another equally in the church. (I Corinthians 12:12-27)
Our congregation began in Brattleboro over 40 years ago in the home of Hulen Masters. After growing some, they rented a facility downtown and met there for three years. The building was built by the members of the congregation in 1957. By 1960, the congregation grew to 60. Most of the work building the church building came from the members' own hearts and hands. The church grew as a result of the joy of the members sharing their faith with family and friends. In the mid 70's and 80's, the congregation shrank to about 35. It continued this decline until the late 80's when the congregation shrank to 20. Things didn't look so good at that time. However, with a switch in leadership and a revival of spirit, the congregation has grown from 20 in 1990 to 40 in 1996.
The church continued to grow from 40 in 1996 to 95 in 2000! As a result, the church is currently making plans to find a new meeting place. The church has outgrown its facilities and the current propery has no room to make additions. This is a good problem to have. The atmosphere is one of excitement and full of vision for a bright future.
We invite you to investigate our humble spiritual family. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call or e-mail us.
The Churches of Christ
Note: The following is an excerpt on the churches of Christ taken from the book "Handbook of Denominations in the United States", 9th edition, written by Frank S. Mead and Samuel S. Hill, 1990.
The largest of the three principal bodies in the American restoration movement. ... Because this is not a denomination but a brotherhood with no central headquarters, activities such as recordkeeping are very difficult. Recent efforts show the membership to be about 1,250,000 in nearly 13,000 churches.
A distinctive plea for unity - a unity that is Bible-based - lies at the heart of Churches of Christ. It is believed that the Bible is "the beginning place," in and through which God-fearing people can achieve spiritual oneness - to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent: in all matters pertaining to faith and morals. Consequently, members recognize no other written creed or confession of faith. In all religious matters, there must be a "thus said the Lord."
The churches are related to the restoration movement - the work and thinking of James O'Kelly in Virginia, Abner Jones and Elias Smith in New England, Barton Stone in Kentucky, and Thomas and Alexander Campbell in West Virginia. ... These four movements, all once completely independent, eventually became one strong religious stream because of their common purpose and plea.
...The groups claim to be nondenominational, with no headquarters, no governing bodies, and no clergy. They cooperate voluntarily in international radio programs sponsored by any congregation.
Today one of the outstanding features of Churches of Christ lies in the acceptance of the Bible as a true and completely adequate revelation. This basic concept has resulted in such practices as weekly observance of the Lord's Supper, baptism by immersion, a cappella singing, a vigorous prayer life, support of church needs through voluntary giving, and a program of preaching and teaching the Bible. This concept also explains the autonomy of local churches, governed by elders and deacons appointed under New Testament qualifications; dignified worship services, enthusiastic mission campaigns, and far-flung benevolence, all financed by local churches.
The scriptural doctrines usually classified as conservative are found in Churches of Christ: belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost as members of one Godhead; the incarnation, Virgin birth, and bodily resurrection of Christ; the universality of sin after the age of accountability, its only remedy the vicarious atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. Strong emphasis is also laid on the church as the Body and bride of Christ. A figurative rather than a literal view is prevalent with reference to the book of Revelation. Membership is contingent upon an individual's faith in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son o god, repentance, confession of faith, and baptism by immersion for remission of sins. Church attendance is stressed.
Churches of Christ maintain that the final judgment of all religious groups is reserved unto the Lord. This view, however, still allows for a vigorous evangelism that finds unacceptable the doctrines, practices, names, titles, and creeds that have been grafted onto the original Christianity.
Ministers are ordained rather than licensed, and they hold tenure in their pulpits under mutual agreement with the elders of the churches in which they preach. Their authority is moral rather than arbitrary, the actual government of the church being vested in its elders.
A vigorous missionary program is carried on in 75 nations outside the U.S., and in recent years a strong movement to extend the influence of the church in the northeastern states has developed. Counting native workers in the foreign field and mission activities within the U.S., more than 1,000 missionaries or evangelists are supported by groups other than those to which they preach. A quota of chaplains is maintained in the U.S. Air Force and Army.
Properties owned by the group probably exceed $2.5 billion in value. There are 21 colleges, including one in Japan and several in Europe; 70 secondary and elementary schools; 83 child-care facilities; 46 senior citizen facilities; and 117 periodicals, newspapers, and magazines published throughout the country. The oldest publication, The Gospel Advocate, has been published continually since the 1850's, except when it ceased during the Civil War due to lack of mail delivery. Since the status of these institutions is unofficial, not authorized to speak for the entire church, their conformity in ideas and teachings is all the more remarkable..."