Welcome

Welcome to the website of First Christian Church in Rochester, Indiana. I hope you find some helpful information here. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Simply click on the symbol underneath “Contact Me”.

Who We Are and Where We Come From

First Christian Church was established in the Rochester Community in 1881 and has been faithfully serving God and the people of Rochester for over 125 years. First Christian Church is part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which is one of the largest Christian denominations founded on United States soil. This affiliation allows us to work together with other congregations in areas of overseas missions and disaster relief as well as providing educated pastors and connections beyond the local congregation. At the same time, this affiliation also allows each congregation autonomy in hiring ministers, theological stances, and financial matters.

The Christian Church has such a generic sounding name because we were started as a unity movement in America which envisioned Christians leaving the European based denominations and joining together in one united Christian Church. With that vision, our church belief system is very broad yet focused. We believe in Jesus Christ, and the rest is considered details. The affirmation of faith asked of individual’s who want to join the church simply asks, “Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and do you take Him as your personal Lord and Savior?” It sounds simple, yet it is profound when we remember that taking Jesus as Lord means claiming Him as boss. We strive to do and say what Jesus wants us to do and say, not what we want. Sometimes we disagree about what that means, but those disagreements don’t divide us because we know we are held together by Jesus, not our personal insights.

We go by the name of Christian, but we recognize we are not the only Christians. We happily recognize other Christian denominations’ baptism and membership and work with other congregations to further God’s kingdom. We share in the Communion (or the “Lord’s Supper”) every week in worship and invite all believers to participate, whether a member of First Christian or not.

First Christian Church, Rochester

I believe First Christian Church embodies some of the best of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We are a congregation with diverse backgrounds and beliefs. We cannot be pigeon holed as a liberal or conservative church because liberals and conservatives worship side by side, striving together to discern God’s truth. We have a huge respect for the Scriptures of the Bible, yet never fail to balance that with insights from tradition, reason, experience and continuing revelations from God. As we reach out to our world and surrounding area, we strive for balance in serving both people’s physical, earthly needs as well as their spiritual, eternal needs. We serve the needy and proclaim the eternal life offered through Jesus Christ.

Worship

Almost every Sunday morning we gather for traditional style worship at 9:00 as well as a more contemporary style worship at 11:00. It is an affirmation that there is no one style or form of worship that is acceptable to God. Worship is about authentically lifting ourselves and our praise to God through Jesus Christ. The traditional sanctuary, hymns, organ and slightly more formal feel of the traditional worship really feeds some people. On the other hand, the less formal, laid-back feel, more contemporary sounding music and casual dress of the 11:00 service which meets in the fellowship hall really drives others’ connection with God. As in so much of our life together, one is not better than the other; they are just different to meet different needs and tastes.

Concluding Thoughts

I do hope you will be able to visit First Christian Church and find our most profound gift: the people who worship here. The way God works in and through their lives is an empowering blessing. The building is a beautiful building with a great historic sanctuary as well as modern Sunday School and gathering areas. But the building is just a building; it is the people who are the Church. Come get to know God through getting to know God’s people. More information about the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is available through our denominational website which the “links” tab above can help you find.

Mike Van Heyningen

Pastor of First Christian Church