Our Mission
To glorify God by proclaiming the good news to the world (Mark 16:15-16), to provide opportunities for spiritual growth and encouragement to our members (1 Thessalonins 5:11), and to extend the joy we have in Christ to our community (Luke 2:10).
Our Goals
To restore the church as seen in the New Testament. The early church was united in purpose and undenominational, nondiscriminating and inclusive, independently organized and perfected only by Christ's love and sacrifice. Like the early Christians, we want to follow Christ's teachings and the Word as revealed to the writers of the New Testament.
Our History and Beliefs
We believe that the church of Christ was established on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. On that day the church began when 3000 souls were emersed in water baptism. Our fellowship with God and his people is determined by Christ when he adds us to his body (Acts 2:47), also called the church, as well as the saved, the bride and "the called out." As seen in the scriptures, the obedient act of baptism is a critical component to being added to the saved people of God. We know that "there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4:4-6). "
We have our roots in the Stone/Cambell Unity Movement of the early 1800's. Their motto was "not the only Christians, but just Christians." Members from all denominations were welcomed to come and worship together, renouncing the standards of division and uniting on simple, common faith in Christ. Some congregations within the movement agreed that the best way to promote unity was through simplicity and their motto became "Simply Christians."
We are of that same belief.
For that reason, our congregation of believers has a simple building, simple teachings, and simple worship services that include singing with just our voices, prayer with our whole hearts, preaching from the word of God, giving as we have been prospered and partaking of the Lord's Supper on the first day of every week. The Lord's Supper consists simply of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine as memorials to the body and blood of Jesus, and is a public proclamation that we believe we are saved by Christ (1 Corinthians 11:20-36). It is also a communion of the body of Christ, meaning we who are members of His church (1 Corinthians 10:16, see also Ephesians 1:22-23). Accordingly, while we hold that saints can and should be together in times of joy and sadness, sharing their lives and common meals, the Lord's supper is a uniquely simple feast that exemplifies the unique position we, as Christians, sustain to our Savior, Who died for us.
We believe that the bulk of living a Christian life, and fulfilling our duties to each other and God, is the responsibility of individual Christians. For that reason, our preachers refrain from preaching personal opinions, politics, or the latest theological fad. We speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent.
The Church of Christ in Susanville had its beginnings in 1942 and is continuing with the "Simply Christians" tradition by providing a truly old fashioned, nonjudgmental, encouraging, simple place for you to worship God.