Who We Are

WHO IS ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH?

Zion Community Church is community of believers who are dedicated to the Gospel.  When Christians talk of the “Gospel” they usually talk of two things: either the first four books of the New Testament, or the story of Jesus’ salvation for everyone.  We are dedicated to both!

Z.C.C. IS A “JOHN 17″ CHURCH:

In John 17, Christ lays before the Father a petition for those who would believe in the apostles word, which was Christ’s word (John 17:14 - 17). There is three fold purpose for this petition:

  1. That the believers would be one (17:21)
  2. That the world would believe/know that Christ was sent by God(17:21, 23)
  3. That the world would know that the Father loves the Church with the same love that He has for the Son (17:23)

We believe in that when Christ prayed that His people would be one, He meant it!

In our one town, there were at least three different congregations that met One town, several churches?  How does that help spread the Gospel?  The Three Congregations in March of 1967 voted to merge to become one church:

  1. Zion Evangelical Lutheran
  2. Zion Evangelical United Brethren
  3. Zion United Church of Christ

On Sunday, January 14th, 1968, the three congregations merged to form the Zion United Church of Christ.

Like most main-line denominations, the United Church of Christ became increasingly liberal.  While “officially” maintaining that the Bible is God’s Word, the UCC began to reject this doctrine as a standard for its leaders and member congregations.  On November 30, 2005, the Zion UCC officially became the Zion Community Church and left the denomination.

Being a “John 17″ Church means that we believe in Christian unity under the authority of Scriptures.  Here is our approach to unity:

  1. In essentials, unity - Ephesians 4:4-6 (NKJV) - 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.
  2. In opinions, liberty - Romans 14:1-2 (NLT) - Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.
  3. In all things, love - 1 Corinthians 13:2 (NLT) - If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.

ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH’S PRACTICES:

  1. Christ is Lord of the Church – Colossians 1:18
  2. The Bible is our authority – 2 Timothy 3:14-17
  3. We are called to love God and people - Matthew 22:37-38
  4. Elders & Deacons are called to lead - 1 Timothy 5:17-19 & 1 Timothy 3:8–13
  5. Every member has ownership of the ministries (priesthood of all believers) – 1 Peter 2:9 &  Revelation 1:6
  6. Everyone supports the work of the Church by their offerings and tithes – Matthew 6:1-4
  7. We take the Lord’s Supper often – 1 Corinthians 11:26
  8. We baptize believers by immersion – Colossians 2:12, Acts 2:38
  9. We lead Spirit-Led lives– Philippians 2:12-13, John 15:5
  10. We pray for everyone & anoint when needed - James 5:14 & 2 Corinthians 1:21
  11. We share the Gospel – 1 Peter 3:15

ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH’S CORE VALUES:

  1. Warm, Friendly & Welcoming to All
  2. Kingdom Family Relationships (Love like Jesus would love)
  3. Hearing & Seeing the Gospel
  4. Going the Extra Mile
  5. Broken Hearts for the Lost
  6. Clean Hands & Pure Hearts – Integrity & transparency
  7. Holy Spirit-led Lives
  8. Inspiring Worship & Prayer
  9. Christ is Lord
  10. Unity under the Authority of the Scripture (especially the leadership)

OUR MISSION:
Jesus was asked “What is the greatest commandment ever?”
Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV) - Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
We believe that Jesus told us one of the core points of our mission in this statement.  WE ARE TO LOVE GOD.
We also believe that the last words of someone are pretty important.  Here are two instances of some of the last words that Jesus ever spoke:

  1. Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) - Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
  2. Acts 1:8 (NRSV) - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

A second part of our mission is that we must be WITNESSES FOR CHRIST.
Jesus even said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19).  Is the negative of this statement also true?  If I am not a fisher of men, then I am not following Jesus.  We believe that it is vital to our walk to be reaching out to other people.
Romans 10:13-14 (NRSV) - For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?
Let’s face it, there will be some who will not believe.  We are told to BE PREPARED:

  1. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) - But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
  2. Jude 3 (NLT) - Defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people.

How do you prepare?  Well, you prepare by knowing your Bible!  We are to GROW IN GOD’S WORD!

OUR MISSION IS TO LOVE GOD, BE CHRIST’S WITNESS, & GROW IN GOD’S WORD!
OUR ADMINISTRATION:
So if you are not a denomination, how does your Church operate?  We believe in the local leadership as described in the New Testament.  The Administration of the congregation is vested in the Consistory, composed of nine (9) members: The Pastor, four (4) elders, and five (5) deacons.
We believe that while the Consistory will be the administrators, each member is the ministrators… er, ministers.  Every member is a minister.