Community Christian Church History

Community Christian Church, Richlands, North Carolina was chartered in 1967 with 25 members. We are not a part of central leadership but are autonomous and are a part of a fellowship of independant churches within Christianity known as the Restoration Movement. In 1967, two families put an ad in the local newspaper inviting Christians to worship with them in their homes. At the same time, some members of a local church did not like the direction their church was headed. These two groups got together and this was the beginning of Community Christian Church.

Early worship services were held in some of the member's homes. Our church at Hargett and Academy Streets in Richlands which was formerly the First Baptist Church was purchased and became Community Christian Church in 1971.

In 1982, 40 members with the full support and assistance of Community Christian Church of Richlands, established Jacksonville Christian Church.

At present, there are approximately 150 active members.

Each year Elders and Deacons are elected by the congregation. Elders must have the qualifications of Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Timothy 3:2-7. Likewise, Deacons must have the qualifications set forth in 1 Timothy 3:8-12. These men along with the minister make up the church board and meet each month to conduct church business.

Titus 1:6-9

6. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

 7. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

 8. But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

 9. Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

1 Timothy 3:2-7

 2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

 3. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

 4. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

 5. (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

 6. Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

 7. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

1 Timothy 3:8-12

8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

 9. Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

 10. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

 11. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

 12. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.