You’ll find that our services are relatively simple. The following elements are a part of every Sunday morning worship assembly: we sing songs and hymns, we pray and read Scripture, Communion is served on trays that are passed down each row, we take up a voluntary offering (guests are not expected or asked to contribute), and our minister delivers a Bible-based message.

We hope and pray that our worship draws us closer to God and refreshes our souls in preparation to go back into the world with a renewed sense of identity and purpose.

We believe that ALL of Scripture is inspired by God and contains truth that will bless our lives and lead us to eternal life. We also believe that the Bible has a “core” or a “center of gravity” and that some of its teachings are more central than others; if this were not true than Jesus would not have spoken of “weightier matters” and Paul would not have designated some items of “first importance”. No doctrine is more important than the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus also prioritized love for God and love for others and referred to justice, mercy, and faith as the “weightier matters”

Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend! We view the church not as a place for those who “have it all together”, but as a place where compassion should be shown to all. We recognize that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace.

We get this question a lot! We understand that singing without instrumental accompaniment is rare these days, but this is actually the only way that church sang for almost the first thousand years of its existence! In fact, the term “a cappella” is a Latin phrase meaning “as in the chapel”.

We refuse to judge the sincerity or the salvation of those who practice other forms of worship. However, we are committed to maintaining the practice of pure vocal singing because we feel it has a solid Biblical basis and historical precedent – we also love that it sounds beautiful and allows everyone to participate!

Each Sunday, according to the example provided by the early church, we take the Lord’s Supper (a.k.a. Communion). Jesus instituted this ceremony and it allows us to reflect on his sacrifice as we take a cup of grape juice (a reminder of Jesus’ blood) and a small piece of a cracker (a reminder of Jesus’ crucified body). This simple act helps to “center” us spiritually by focusing our minds on Jesus as we examine our own lives. The Lord’s Supper is also a “proclamation” to others in the assembly who might not be familiar with Christ’s sacrifice.

We practice “open communion” meaning that we don’t exclude anyone from participation. However, we also understand that the Supper was instituted for followers of Christ and has deeper meaning and significance to those who have confessed his name and been baptized into Him.

We believe that the Spirit comes to dwell in a person at the time of their baptism. The Spirit has worked in different ways throughout history according to the unique needs of each time period. The Spirt might not work in the same miraculous manner that he did in the 1st century, but that does not mean that he is not alive and active today. Among the things that the Spirit does today: helps us in prayer, produces godly character in our lives (the “fruit” of the Spirit), and gives us gifts (talents or abilities) that we are to use to benefit the larger body of Christ.

We strive to be non-denominational. This simply means that we are not formally associated or affiliated with any particular denomination. It is true that there are other churches who identify as “churches of Christ”, and while we often fellowship and join in cooperative efforts with these like-minded congregations, each one is autonomous. There is no national headquarters for churches of Christ.

 Because the Bible commands it. Baptism must picture three realities: death, burial, and resurrection. The Greek word translated as “baptism” in our English Bibles literally means “immersion”. This is the only mode of Baptism found in the New Testament.

We only require what the Bible requires for membership – no more and no less. The practice of baptism in the New Testament is what brought a person “into Christ” and “added them to the church”. Since baptism by immersion was the only form of baptism practiced in Bible times this is what is required.

It depends. If your baptism was an act of surrender to Jesus out of obedience to God for a biblical purpose then there is no reason to be re-immersed. However, there are invalid reasons for baptism such as peer pressure, to join a particular church apart from making a decision for Jesus, etc. In Acts 19 we read about some believers in Ephesus who were re-baptized due to a faulty understanding of baptism the first time. Each person should consider their previous baptism – if you have doubts we encourage you to speak to an elder or minister to help and advise you.

If you are not a baptized believer the first step would be to talk to an Elder or a minister about setting up a time and place to study and learn what the Bible teaches about becoming a Christian. If you are a baptized believer wanting to move your membership from another congregation we encourage you to talk to an Elder who will set up a time to discuss your membership with you.

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the ultimate authority and our only source of Truth.

No! This has been a stereotype from times past. It is true that some may have been guilty of being overly exclusive and sectarian. Churches of Christ are hardly alone in this as others have often fallen into the same trap. Nevertheless, we strive to reject these sectarian impulses and affirm one of our earliest slogans – “Christian only but not the only Christians”.

We would encourage you to get involved in activities and classes besides just Sunday morning worship as these provide opportunities to make connections and form deeper relationships. When someone becomes a member at Robinson Avenue they will receive a “new member packet” which will provide more information about various ministries and opportunities. Elders and ministers are also great resources to help you to find your place.

Our church is led by a group of godly Elders (a.k.a. Shepherds) who lead us in accordance with the Word of God. Our paid ministry staff, deacons and all church members are under the care and oversight of these godly men. Their leadership is not domineering but is inline with the Servant leadership demonstrated by Jesus himself.

We understand God’s Word to teach that men and women are equal in regard to worth and value but complimentary in regard to roles. These complimentary roles are evident in the home and in the church. In each case men are to demonstrate humble and gentle servant leadership. It is true that the Bible instructs wives to submit to their husbands’ Christ-like leadership (Ephesians 5:24) but what is too often missed or ignored is the “mutual submission” spoken of just three verses earlier (Ephesians 5:21).

Due to our desire to be faithful to our understanding of Scripture women do not serve as elders or preach in mixed worship assemblies at Robinson Avenue. That’s not to say that women aren’t involved in ministry – our women are essential to our work and there are myriads of opportunities for involvement. We don’t know where we would be without the tremendous contributions of our ladies.

While we believe that the Bible is clear about its central message (salvation through Jesus) you would be hard-pressed to find any two church members who agree about everything the Bible teaches. When it comes to doctrinal disagreements we are committed to the following: appealing to Scripture as our source of authority, continuing to love each other, and submitting to the godly leadership of our Elders. Another of our cherished slogans is: “In matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; in all things, love.”

Very much so! The church exists because of missions! Just as others once had a vision to plant a church in Springdale, we have a vision of seeing the Gospel spread to other places. We support many missionaries on foreign and domestic mission fields.

Anyone and everyone seeking life in Christ! “Whoever is thirsty let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” – Revelation 22:17

 No! Our primary allegiance is to the Kingdom of God. At Robinson Avenue you will find Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Some hold their personal views very strongly – but we want church to be a refuge from partisanship and political rancor.

As a rule we do not preach politics or endorse political candidates from either party. Obviously there will some social or moral issues that we want to discuss from a Biblical perspective but we do this by looking to what the Bible says and not to what any politician or party says.