The Oak Grove Church of Christ is independent of any denominational organization. We are not associated with any national or world headquarters. Yet, we cooperate voluntarily with our sister congregations in the Lord’s work and fellowship.
Head of the Church: CHRIST
The New Testament clearly teaches that Christ, and Christ alone, is the head of the Church. He is to have preeminence over all things to the Church. “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church…”(Ephesians 1:22) “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body…”(Ephesians 5:23) “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence…”(Colossians 1:18)
Elders:
In the New Testament, congregations of God’s people were overseen by men known as elders. According to the Bible (Acts 14:23, Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:5), the orderly arrangement and superintendence of the church entailed the ordaining of qualified men to a duly appointed eldership. The elders were known as bishops, pastors, presbyters, overseers, and shepherds. These six English terms are used interchangeably and all of their corresponding Greek terms are found in Acts 20:17, 28 and 1 Peter 5:1-2. Each individual member of this office is to be qualified for this work by the criteria identified in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. We commend the following qualified men to you as pastors, bishops, elders/overseers, presbyters, and shepherds of the flock at the Oak Grove church of Christ.
- Claude Andrews
- Walter Hutcherson
- Richard Petering
- Lowell Smith
Deacons:
The New Testament reveals that the church of Christ at Philippi was organized with both elders and deacons (Philippians 1: 1). To be eligible to serve as a duly appointed deacon Christian men are to exhibit and possess the qualities and characteristics outlined in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Deacons of the Oak Grove church of Christ are as follows:
- Darrell Andrews
- Dean Evatt
- Hershel Hunt
- Tim Smith
- David Wiesemann
Preacher: Jack W. McNiel
The New Testament commands that the Gospel be spread via teaching and preaching of the Word of God. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned…” (Mark 16:15-16) “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe…” (1 Corinthians 1:21) As an expedient in this matter we support a local preacher so that he is able to dedicate himself full-time to the teaching and preaching of the Gospel.
The Bible charges Gospel Preachers to faithfully preach the whole counsel of God. “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry…”(2 Timothy 4:1-5)