Fellowship
Fellowship
All types of people gather at the Lorain Avenue Church of Christ. You will find them young and old, rich and poor, happy and sad, and so on. Some are mature Christians, some new Christians, some struggling Christians. The fellowship of Christians is bound together by love: God's love for us, our love for Him, and our love for all mankind, especially those of the household of faith. Our love for God compels us to walk in the light of His Word, for only in this manner can we truly be in fellowship with Him and with one another (1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:3-7). There will also be some non-Christians who regularly attend. And there will be guests. It is our hope and prayer that those who have not yet become Christians will obey the Gospel and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16).
When you are saved in baptism, the Lord adds you to the Church (Acts 2:41, 47). This is how you become a Christian (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). This is how you become a child of God (John 1:12-13). Christians then choose where they will worship by placing themselves under the oversight of the elders of a particular local congregation such as Lorain Avenue (Romans 16:1; Philippians 1:1).
We don't claim to be perfect or sinless. We are assured that those in fellowship with God through the blood of Jesus Christ are cleansed from sin (1 John 1:7-10). This happens first in baptism as past sins are cleansed, and subsequently as Christians stumble, repent and pray to God for forgiveness (Acts 8:22). We know that everyone needs the forgiveness offered only in Jesus Christ. We make every effort to work together to accomplish what God wants all of His people to do. In order to build and maintain closeness in our church family, we try to spend as much time together as possible. You will have every opportunity to take part in the life of our group when you feel comfortable and are ready to do so.
Perhaps you are wondering if you'll be able to find your place in this church family. We encourage you to try, for you truly matter to God and to us. We think you will find Lorain Avenue to be a good place to be and to belong.