The Fredericktown Church of Christ is a local group of people who trust in Jesus Christ and obey His commandments so as to glorify Him in their lives (John 3:16; 8:24, 31-32; 12:48; 14:6, 15; Eph. 1:12; 1 Peter 2:9).
Jesus said He would build His church (Matt. 16:18). The pattern for His church is revealed in the New Testament. In Acts 2:47 it is stated that Jesus adds the saved to His church. This aspect of the church is in the universal sense. Everyone who is saved is part of the universal church, or the brotherhood of Christ (1 Peter 2:17; 5:9). One can also see that Christ’s pattern for His church includes the saved joining themselves with others who have dedicated their lives to the glory of Christ (Acts 9:26).
As a member of the body of Christ, every Christian supplies a needed function to the body, primarily in the context of the local congregation (Rom. 12:1-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:16). The local congregation is where those who are saved edify one another in singing, praying, teaching, worship, and fellowship (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:1-8; Jas. 5:13-14, 16; Acts 18:11; Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 4:17; 14:19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 2:42; Rom. 12:10-16; 1 Thess. 5:12; Jas. 3:13; 5:13-14; 1 Pet. 5:1-2). By recognizing and practicing Christ’s pattern for His church, the Christian fulfills responsibilities to self, the congregation, and the brotherhood while bringing glory to Jesus Christ.
The Fredericktown Church of Christ is an independent congregation. By stating that the church is independent, it is meant that the church is free from financial dependence on other congregations. The local church contributes to no other congregations, nor does it receive funds from other congregations. The church does support preachers in other locations. These funds are sent directly to the preachers in keeping with the revealed pattern of the New Testament (Phil. 4:14; 2 Cor. 11:8-9).
It is an autonomous, or self-governing congregation. The church is autonomous in that it answers to no earthly governing bodies, such as headquarters, councils, or synods. The church recognizes and submits to the rule of Jesus Christ as revealed in the New Testament (Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 1:22-23; 2 John 9-11).
It is a congregation that actively spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15). He assured his followers that good and honest hearts would believe on him and will bring forth the fruit of righteousness in their lives (Matt. 13:18-23).
In addition to preaching and teaching, and personal Bible studies, the Fredericktown Church of Christ prints a weekly article in the Shoppers Mart (a Mount Vernon News publication) and has a weekly radio program on WMVO 1300AM (Mount Vernon) as well as daily messages on both the AM station and 93.7FM.
