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The Church at Dyers Creek
970 Highway 79, Dover TN 37058
Phone: (931) 232-4855
Phone: (931) 232-4855
At Dyers Creek we rather closely follow the biblical injunction to do all things in "a fitting and orderly way." The Scripture is read with a sense of profound respect. The message is preached with enthusiasm, usually as an exposition of a scriptural passage, relating it to the contemporary situation of the congregation. We sing hymns, gospel songs, choruses, and spirituals. A time to greet each other and get acquainted is often included just after the worship experience. |
(Jeff Wallace, pastor) (Verlon Pritchett, associate pastor)
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It is a biblical name. What better source is there from which to get a name for a group who worships God! As a part of the Church of God with general offices in Anderson, Indiana, Dyers Creek makes no claim to the associations to which they may give themselves in the name of Christ. |
We like the way Dyers Creek identifies its members. No pastor decides that a person will or will not be admitted to membership in our church. Neither our congregation nor congregational leaders vote on who shall be received as members. We believe that when one accepts Jesus Christ as savior, God places that person in the church. Salvation alone is criteria enough for membership at Dyers Creek. And one maintains that membership by participating in the worship services, fellowship, and ministry of the congregation. |
If you are not a Christian (that is, not saved, not born again, not a disciple of Jesus Christ), then you will want to confess your sins in prayer, ask the Lord to forgive your sinful way of living, and ask Jesus Christ to-come into your life as Savior and Lord. Perhaps you may be able to do this alone, but many persons have found that the assistance of a thoughtful and mature Christian is helpful at this time. Do know this: when you accept Jesus Christ as Savior, you are born into the church. If you are a Christian, then just let the pastor and other persons at Dyers Creek know you are a Christian and begin worshiping and working with them. Then say to family, friends, and acquaintances, "I am a member of the church at Dyers Creek!" |
What restrictions do you place on your members? Our relatedness to each other in the church does not depend on a strict and uniform doctrinal stance but on our commitment to Jesus Christ, bringing His spirit to bear on our personal lives and our society. Diversity, within the scope of the teachings of Jesus Christ, is expected at Dyers Creek. Conformity in all matters of doctrine and practice is not our goal. We are mutually committed to God in Christ, to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and to local, national, and international fellowship with all Christian believers. Some of our congregation may tend toward a major involvement with social causes as an expression of their faith. Others may concern themselves principally with an individual expression of personal holiness or lifestyle. Here at Dyers Creek, we know there is room for both types of witness and concern. |
Why do you so strongly encourage church attendance? We believe very strongly that genuine Christians identity themselves with a local body of believers and worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians. We don't think that participation in the local church should not be considered an option for Christians; it should be looked at as an integral part of their salvation experience. |
Theologically speaking, how do you stand in relation to other church groups? Without getting involved in detailed definitions, we like to think of ourselves as conservative, rooted in Wesleyan- Arminian evangelicalism, a part of the Anabaptist free-church tradition, a part of the Holiness Movement that came to mid-America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and a participant in the Protestant reformation tradition. |
What ordinances do you practice? Ordinances are disciplines of worship and faith that have specifically been ordained by Jesus in His instructions to His followers. We believe the ordinances are symbolic of something that is happening in us as believers as a direct act of God's Spirit. Thus, the symbolic act witnesses to an inner reality. These symbols affirm and remind us of what God has done in Christ. Baptism by immersion is a first step for the new believer. Through baptism we witness to a new spiritual dimension in our lives. Baptism is also a witness to the church that we are a part of its fellowship and work and to family and friends that we are now an active participant in the Christian community and the life of the church. The Lord's Supper is sometimes called communion. In the sacramental churches it is often called the Eucharist ("thanksgiving"), a reference to the thanks offered over the bread and the cup. At Dyers Creek we frequently share the elements of the Lord's Supper. Foot washing is an ordinance practiced by many church groups. It is an act symbolizing the servant ministry of all Christians to each other and to the world. At our annual Foot-Washing Service during Holy Week, we wash each other's feet, sing hymns, and give personal testimonies of God's blessing on our lives. Participation in this ordinance is not considered a "test of faith." Rather, it is a spiritual experience that we are encouraged to observe and join. |
Do you believe persons have to be baptized in your church in order to go to heaven? No. Baptism is first step in the life of the Christian convert. When a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior it is expected that the person will take the first step of following Jesus Christ in baptism. However, believers who have been baptized in other congregations or church groups will find their baptisms honored at Dyers Creek. |
We believe the experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit may be viewed from at least four perspectives: (1) Cleansing . . . The Holy Spirit cleanses the attitudes, mindset, habits, and spirit of the believer. Sanctification is the word used to refer to this cleansing and setting aside for the use of God. The Holy Spirit works in us to purify us and set us aside for God's use. (2) Consecration . . . Consecration (commitment) is the act of the believer. We who have accepted forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life offer ourselves to be fully blessed and used by God. Consecration is presenting everything about our personality, including our physical bodies, to God for His use in a decisive act of worship. (3) Calling . . . This is the part of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit-filled life on which God and the believer work together. The Spirit cleanses, we consecrate ourselves, and together the Spirit of God and we, the believers, work out the calling. The calling is the tasks that we accept in the life of the church in order to help evangelize and serve the world. (4) Convincing Evidence . . . The most convincing evidence of the Spirit-filled life is holiness, both for the individual and for others who view his or her life. Holy or righteous living includes a faithful study of the teachings of Jesus and a continual effort to live out the implications of those teachings day by day. Of course, we are not so spiritually conceited as think that we are perfect human beings! But we do know that the Holy Spirit is the source of power for holy living. |
Yes and no! "Yes," we are charismatic if by that you mean that we as believers are empowered by the Spirit for the edification of the church and mission in the world. "Yes," we are pentecostal if by that term you mean the Holy Spirit was given to the early churches and continues to come, empower, and call the church to servant ministries. The answer is "No," however, if you mean by charismatic or pentecostal an emphasis on speaking in tongues as the sign of a spirit-filled life or the freedom for persons to speak in tongues at their own discretion in public worship. |
What do you mean by "stewardship"? Stewardship is the responsible use of all of our resources, recognizing that all good gifts come from God. It has implications for the use of our abilities, the use of our time, and the way we earn and spend our money. Christian stewardship includes the common and accepted practice of giving the first ten percent of our income (our tithe) directly to the church for mission and ministries. |
Definitely! All Christians are called to world mission and some are particularly gifted for special assignment in the work of missions around the world. Though the focus of missions is often on those who are called and sent in particular, the responsibility for missions rests on the whole church. We are continually called to inform ourselves and be directly involved in missions through prayer and financial support. |
