A Little More About Us...
WHO ARE WE?
The Bayside Church of Christ is an independent, non-denominational community of disciples of Jesus Christ attempting to live out the Christianity of the New Testament era in a 21st Century context. We are located in Virginia Beach and a part of the region known as Hampton Roads, Virginia.
We are a self-governing congregation of believers; guided by Elders and serving one another with the support and leadership of deacons, volunteer ministry coordinators, and a full-time ministry staff. We are financially supported and underwritten by the free-will gifts and offerings of our members.
WHAT IS OUR SIZE?
Our membership is currently 310, comprised of the wide spectrum of demographic backgrounds reflected in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region. “Membership” denotes all baptized followers of Jesus Christ who have indicated to our Elders a desire to actively participate in the life, work, and worship of the Bayside church. Our current Sunday morning assembly attendance averages around 250.
In addition, a large number of regular guests and attendees who have yet to place membership continue to participate in our church family. All totaled, our church community approaches 400 (combining members, guests, regular attendees, and children).
HOW ARE WE AFFILIATED?
Though autonomous in nature and organization, we also are a part of a global fellowship of believers and churches known as churches of Christ (non-instrumental), comprised of approximately 13,000 congregations in the U.S. and an additional 14,000 world-wide.
Historically, we have our roots in the religious experience known as the Restoration Movement of the early-mid 19th Century. Such was a grass-roots effort led by influential people from a variety of Protestant denominations in an effort to return to the New Testament model and practice of undenominational Christianity.
BY WHAT AUTHORITY?
In religious terms, we are theologically conservative and accept the bible as the inspired, complete will of God revealed to humans by the work of the Holy Spirit. As such, the scriptures are our exclusive source of authority in determining our beliefs, mission, and practices as individual Christians and as a congregation.
Specifically, the New Testament serves as our source of teaching and authority for the pursuit and practice of the life of discipleship that Christ calls us to as His followers. Here, we find not only the teachings of Jesus Himself, but also the meaning and purpose of His incarnation, life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection. And, we thereby determine that Jesus Christ is the Supreme Authority, both as our Savior and Lord, and as Head of His church.
We find in the New Testament our identity, our purpose, and our destiny as a church; that we are to be extensions of Jesus Himself both to and in our world. And, it is in the New Testament that the Old Testament finds its proper fulfillment and value in the life of believers and the church as a whole.
HOW DO WE WORSHIP?
Our organizational style, both in worship and church government, is congregational. There is no distinction of clergy/laity, as we all co-equally comprise the spiritual body of Christ.
Our worship times include congregational singing, prayer, weekly participation in the Lord’s supper (communion), teaching and encouragement from the scripture, and periods of fellowship and interaction. Our singing is "a cappella," that is, vocal (without the use of instrumental accompaniment).
Our worship and fellowship times blend the traditional and the contemporary experiences of life as experienced in our culture. Our assemblies are led by capable and dedicated Christian brothers; and all in attendance are encouraged to fully participate.
We meet Sundays and Wednesdays, as well as at other times and in a variety of settings for congregational worship, fellowship, and bible study.
HOW DO WE RELATE TO GOD?
We believe that our sin separated us from God; and that that salvation from sin is completely by the grace of God, offered through the perfect once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. And, we believe that the only proper and biblical response to His gift is the surrender of our wills in obedience to Jesus as Lord.
As we believe in Jesus as God’s Son, repent of sinful lifestyles, openly acknowledge Christ as Savior and Lord, and are by faith immersed (baptized) in water, our faith and trust in His work on our behalf is demonstrated. Such results in the forgiveness of our sins, our spiritual re-birth, and the beginning of a life of discipleship in pursuit of the very heart (nature) of Jesus.
In addition, the Holy Spirit serves to support and guide us in our pursuit of the heart and character of Jesus; and our mutual love, support, and accountability as fellow Christians serve to infuse real-life, real-time experiences that aid in our personal walk with God, the Father.
HOW CAN YOU BECOME A MEMBER?
In one sense, church membership is a matter between you and God, as He personally adds to His church all those who accept His Son as Savior and Lord and are baptized into Christ. Therefore, it is our practice to invite anyone who may need to become a Christian to participate in some bible study concerning these pertinent matters.
Once you become a Christian, you have both opportunity and obligation to seek involvement and fellowship with a community of Christians, either in your local community or wherever you may find yourself in the world due to life’s circumstances and obligations. It is in this sense that your church membership and participation are to take a decidely public form.
And, as you communicate with us both your relationship to the Lord and your intent to be active in our church family, we are privileged to assist and welcome you into the Bayside church family!
The Bayside Church of Christ is an independent, non-denominational community of disciples of Jesus Christ attempting to live out the Christianity of the New Testament era in a 21st Century context. We are located in Virginia Beach and a part of the region known as Hampton Roads, Virginia.
We are a self-governing congregation of believers; guided by Elders and serving one another with the support and leadership of deacons, volunteer ministry coordinators, and a full-time ministry staff. We are financially supported and underwritten by the free-will gifts and offerings of our members.
WHAT IS OUR SIZE?
Our membership is currently 310, comprised of the wide spectrum of demographic backgrounds reflected in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region. “Membership” denotes all baptized followers of Jesus Christ who have indicated to our Elders a desire to actively participate in the life, work, and worship of the Bayside church. Our current Sunday morning assembly attendance averages around 250.
In addition, a large number of regular guests and attendees who have yet to place membership continue to participate in our church family. All totaled, our church community approaches 400 (combining members, guests, regular attendees, and children).
HOW ARE WE AFFILIATED?
Though autonomous in nature and organization, we also are a part of a global fellowship of believers and churches known as churches of Christ (non-instrumental), comprised of approximately 13,000 congregations in the U.S. and an additional 14,000 world-wide.
Historically, we have our roots in the religious experience known as the Restoration Movement of the early-mid 19th Century. Such was a grass-roots effort led by influential people from a variety of Protestant denominations in an effort to return to the New Testament model and practice of undenominational Christianity.
BY WHAT AUTHORITY?
In religious terms, we are theologically conservative and accept the bible as the inspired, complete will of God revealed to humans by the work of the Holy Spirit. As such, the scriptures are our exclusive source of authority in determining our beliefs, mission, and practices as individual Christians and as a congregation.
Specifically, the New Testament serves as our source of teaching and authority for the pursuit and practice of the life of discipleship that Christ calls us to as His followers. Here, we find not only the teachings of Jesus Himself, but also the meaning and purpose of His incarnation, life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection. And, we thereby determine that Jesus Christ is the Supreme Authority, both as our Savior and Lord, and as Head of His church.
We find in the New Testament our identity, our purpose, and our destiny as a church; that we are to be extensions of Jesus Himself both to and in our world. And, it is in the New Testament that the Old Testament finds its proper fulfillment and value in the life of believers and the church as a whole.
HOW DO WE WORSHIP?
Our organizational style, both in worship and church government, is congregational. There is no distinction of clergy/laity, as we all co-equally comprise the spiritual body of Christ.
Our worship times include congregational singing, prayer, weekly participation in the Lord’s supper (communion), teaching and encouragement from the scripture, and periods of fellowship and interaction. Our singing is "a cappella," that is, vocal (without the use of instrumental accompaniment).
Our worship and fellowship times blend the traditional and the contemporary experiences of life as experienced in our culture. Our assemblies are led by capable and dedicated Christian brothers; and all in attendance are encouraged to fully participate.
We meet Sundays and Wednesdays, as well as at other times and in a variety of settings for congregational worship, fellowship, and bible study.
HOW DO WE RELATE TO GOD?
We believe that our sin separated us from God; and that that salvation from sin is completely by the grace of God, offered through the perfect once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. And, we believe that the only proper and biblical response to His gift is the surrender of our wills in obedience to Jesus as Lord.
As we believe in Jesus as God’s Son, repent of sinful lifestyles, openly acknowledge Christ as Savior and Lord, and are by faith immersed (baptized) in water, our faith and trust in His work on our behalf is demonstrated. Such results in the forgiveness of our sins, our spiritual re-birth, and the beginning of a life of discipleship in pursuit of the very heart (nature) of Jesus.
In addition, the Holy Spirit serves to support and guide us in our pursuit of the heart and character of Jesus; and our mutual love, support, and accountability as fellow Christians serve to infuse real-life, real-time experiences that aid in our personal walk with God, the Father.
HOW CAN YOU BECOME A MEMBER?
In one sense, church membership is a matter between you and God, as He personally adds to His church all those who accept His Son as Savior and Lord and are baptized into Christ. Therefore, it is our practice to invite anyone who may need to become a Christian to participate in some bible study concerning these pertinent matters.
Once you become a Christian, you have both opportunity and obligation to seek involvement and fellowship with a community of Christians, either in your local community or wherever you may find yourself in the world due to life’s circumstances and obligations. It is in this sense that your church membership and participation are to take a decidely public form.
And, as you communicate with us both your relationship to the Lord and your intent to be active in our church family, we are privileged to assist and welcome you into the Bayside church family!
