Winnetka Church of Christ
ABOUT US
A brief History...
In the year of 1949 a group of christians who lived in the west San Fernando Valley had a burning desire to begin a congregation in that general area. They began working toward the goal, and in 1950 they were able to organize a congregation in accordance with the teaching of the New Testament and was in compliance within the statutes of both the state of California and the United States. At first, rented facilities were used until a location was decided upon for a building and funds were saved for that purpose. The building was constructed using volunteer labor from members of the congregation under the direction of a local contractor. The building was ready for occupancy in 1954 and has served the congregation since that time.
The church building underwent a remodeling in 1975, which incorporates a Spanish influence. Because of the increase in people in the San Fernando Valley, the postal department divided the area and this caused the church building to be located in the new city created by the division, Winnetka. The congregation was formerly known as the Winnetka Ave. church of Christ in Canoga Park, California .
Through the years the congregation has had more than 20 ministers working with it. The current minister is W. Bruce Evans and he has been here since 2006. He moved here from South Carolina after having preached in the general area in the late 1980's until 1997. Some of the other ministers include Kenny Marrs, Dennis Kilgo, Osby Weaver, Leon Goff, Ford Carpenter and Roy Cogdill to name a few.
The congregation has a long history of upholding Bible truth and it is our desire to continue doing so. As well the congregation is at peace and enjoying growth, to which we gratefully thank the God of Heaven. The job of any congregation is to plant and water the seed and God will provide the increase as seen explained by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:5-7
The church building underwent a remodeling in 1975, which incorporates a Spanish influence. Because of the increase in people in the San Fernando Valley, the postal department divided the area and this caused the church building to be located in the new city created by the division, Winnetka. The congregation was formerly known as the Winnetka Ave. church of Christ in Canoga Park, California .
Through the years the congregation has had more than 20 ministers working with it. The current minister is W. Bruce Evans and he has been here since 2006. He moved here from South Carolina after having preached in the general area in the late 1980's until 1997. Some of the other ministers include Kenny Marrs, Dennis Kilgo, Osby Weaver, Leon Goff, Ford Carpenter and Roy Cogdill to name a few.
The congregation has a long history of upholding Bible truth and it is our desire to continue doing so. As well the congregation is at peace and enjoying growth, to which we gratefully thank the God of Heaven. The job of any congregation is to plant and water the seed and God will provide the increase as seen explained by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:5-7
OUR Beliefs
Many people are somewhat reluctant to visit a church, especially if they don't exactly what to expect. We would like to help remove any trepidation you may have and to fully inform you as to what you can expect when you do visit with us.
Our worship services are quietly devout, with the intent to draw worshipers closer to God and to provide an atmosphere where each one can grow in the knowledge of God's Word and a greater understanding of His will for mankind.
It is our desire to be directed in all things that we do by the Word of God alone; specifically the New Testament, which was brought about by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As a result our worship is in harmony with what is found in the New Testament and was practiced by the Lord's church in the first century. We sing and pray, we partake of the Lord's Supper, we teach the Word of God and we "lay by in store" of those things of a material means for the cause of Christ. It is our desire to obey exactly what is found in the message of the New Testament, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to embrace the attitude He set forth when He said, "God is a Spirit; and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)
We strive to make every part of the worship service as uplifting as possible, while maintaining a respect for not going beyond what the Word of God has set forth. The New Testament directs that worshippers are to sing (see Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16). All are encouraged to sing wholeheartedly. We find no authority or practice in the New Testament for the use of mechanical instruments to be used in the worship of the Lord's church, for this reason we do not us any, our singing is acapella. The blending of human voices together in song without the use of musical instruments is beautiful and inspiring. In like fashion it as well is in harmony with God's Word.
When the sermon has drawn to a conclusion an invitation is extended to encourage anyone who is outside of a Scriptural relationship with Christ, to render obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In offering this encouragement for the sinner to obey the Gospel, we teach only that which the Bible says one must do in order to find God's forgiveness of sins. The Scriptures are quite clear in regards to what needs to be done. HEAR the message of the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16; Romans 1:16, 10:16). BELIEVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16; Hebrews 11:6). REPENT of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 2:38, 17:30). CONFESS that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 10:32). BE BAPTIZED for the remission of sins (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38, 22:16; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:26-27; 1Peter 3:21).
Once, having rendered obedience to the conditions set forth in the Gospel, the individual puts on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27) and is thereby found to be "in Him" (Philippians 3:9). The end result when Christ has been put on, that one is thus a Christian, hence a child of God. There is no hyphenated designation in God's Word-a Christian only (Acts 11:26, 26:28; 1Peter 4:16). The religious world today brings about confusion and division, with human creeds and traditions; the purity of the New Testament advocates that no denominational names be attached to the individual, and openly teaches against such.
Inasmuch as the Holy Scripture is sufficient to instruct us in all things pertaining to both life and godliness (2Peter 1:3; 2Timothy 3:16-17), we simply teach and obey what is found therein. Our desire is to follow what the disciples of Christ did in the first century. In no way do we seek to add to, or take away from what is found in God's Word. We seek to speak where the Bible speaks and to remain silent where it is silent.
An open invitation is extended to all, regardless of religious affiliation, to attend our assemblies. We would like to become acquainted with you. It is not our intent to embarrass you in any way, but will treat you as a welcomed guest. We are undenominational and have no headquarters or human leader. The head over the church is Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). Each congregation of the church of Christ is autonomous and functions separately from other congregations belonging to Christ. It is the Word of God that unites us in one faith (Ephesians 4:3-6). We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and the inspired Word of God, not the teachings of man. We are Christians only, with no human designations or titles.
Members at the Winnetka Avenue Church of Christ invite you to come and let us reason together with respect to God's Word.
Our worship services are quietly devout, with the intent to draw worshipers closer to God and to provide an atmosphere where each one can grow in the knowledge of God's Word and a greater understanding of His will for mankind.
It is our desire to be directed in all things that we do by the Word of God alone; specifically the New Testament, which was brought about by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As a result our worship is in harmony with what is found in the New Testament and was practiced by the Lord's church in the first century. We sing and pray, we partake of the Lord's Supper, we teach the Word of God and we "lay by in store" of those things of a material means for the cause of Christ. It is our desire to obey exactly what is found in the message of the New Testament, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to embrace the attitude He set forth when He said, "God is a Spirit; and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)
We strive to make every part of the worship service as uplifting as possible, while maintaining a respect for not going beyond what the Word of God has set forth. The New Testament directs that worshippers are to sing (see Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16). All are encouraged to sing wholeheartedly. We find no authority or practice in the New Testament for the use of mechanical instruments to be used in the worship of the Lord's church, for this reason we do not us any, our singing is acapella. The blending of human voices together in song without the use of musical instruments is beautiful and inspiring. In like fashion it as well is in harmony with God's Word.
When the sermon has drawn to a conclusion an invitation is extended to encourage anyone who is outside of a Scriptural relationship with Christ, to render obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In offering this encouragement for the sinner to obey the Gospel, we teach only that which the Bible says one must do in order to find God's forgiveness of sins. The Scriptures are quite clear in regards to what needs to be done. HEAR the message of the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16; Romans 1:16, 10:16). BELIEVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16; Hebrews 11:6). REPENT of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 2:38, 17:30). CONFESS that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 10:32). BE BAPTIZED for the remission of sins (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38, 22:16; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:26-27; 1Peter 3:21).
Once, having rendered obedience to the conditions set forth in the Gospel, the individual puts on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27) and is thereby found to be "in Him" (Philippians 3:9). The end result when Christ has been put on, that one is thus a Christian, hence a child of God. There is no hyphenated designation in God's Word-a Christian only (Acts 11:26, 26:28; 1Peter 4:16). The religious world today brings about confusion and division, with human creeds and traditions; the purity of the New Testament advocates that no denominational names be attached to the individual, and openly teaches against such.
Inasmuch as the Holy Scripture is sufficient to instruct us in all things pertaining to both life and godliness (2Peter 1:3; 2Timothy 3:16-17), we simply teach and obey what is found therein. Our desire is to follow what the disciples of Christ did in the first century. In no way do we seek to add to, or take away from what is found in God's Word. We seek to speak where the Bible speaks and to remain silent where it is silent.
An open invitation is extended to all, regardless of religious affiliation, to attend our assemblies. We would like to become acquainted with you. It is not our intent to embarrass you in any way, but will treat you as a welcomed guest. We are undenominational and have no headquarters or human leader. The head over the church is Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). Each congregation of the church of Christ is autonomous and functions separately from other congregations belonging to Christ. It is the Word of God that unites us in one faith (Ephesians 4:3-6). We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and the inspired Word of God, not the teachings of man. We are Christians only, with no human designations or titles.
Members at the Winnetka Avenue Church of Christ invite you to come and let us reason together with respect to God's Word.