- What is the nature of your worship services?
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.
Why do you call yourselves the "Church of God"?
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 exclusive use of the
biblical name, and we're. Conscious that such use brings with it the
responsibility, even the obligation, to worship; fellowship, and serve in ways
that honor God and His church. We do not consider ourselves to be part of a
denomination with a prescribed creed and an unbending organizational
structure. Neither are we a sect with legalistic statements on, and enforcement
of, lifestyles. We use the name "Church of God" in a universal sense to refer to
all persons who believe on Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and are thereby in
the church by God's action. The church of God is not a particular set of
believers so much as it is all believers, whatever associations to which they may
give themselves in the name of Christ.
How do you view membership in the church?
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.
How can a person join your church?
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.
What is your perspective of the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
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.
Are you charismatic or pentecostal?
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.
Are you a mission minded church?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Church at Dyers Creek
970 Highway 79, Dover TN 37058
Phone: (931) 232-4855 (931) 232-4853
Phone: (931) 232-4855 (931) 232-4853
(Jeff Wallace, pastor) (Verlon Pritchett, associate pastor)