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The Congregational Church of the Messiah, gathered in 1907, is a Congregational Church, which is defined to be a company of Christians, complete under God in spiritual authority and ecclesiastical power, regularly meeting and worshipping in one place, and covenanting to walk together after Christ's commandments in love toward God and neighbor.
Its policy is Congregational, as expressed in the following definition: "Congregationalism is that system of church organization which recognizes the independence and autonomy of the local Church, and the association of the Churches through voluntary organizations devised for fellowship but without ecclesiastical authority."
While acknowledging the moral force of the Christian obligation of fellowship, this Church recognizes no ecclesiastical authority exterior to, or superior to, itself. It holds that where there is a gathering of the faithful in Christ's name, there is a complete Church. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20.) The spiritual authority of each Church derives from the fact that Christ is the Head of the local Church.
The covenant by which this Church exists as a distinct body, and which every member accepts, is as follows:
I believe in God, and I confess my faith in Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour, and make Him my example, and take for my rule of life His words "The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like; namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
In the presence of God and these witnesses, I give myself unreservedly to his service, and take this to be my Church. Ever mindful of the welfare of my fellow members, I promise to walk with them in faithfulness and Christian love. And I promise that, so far as able, I will attend the services of this Church, observe its ordinances, support its parish expense and its benevolences with substance and prayer, and endeavor to make it a fruitful body of Christians.
This Church receives the Scriptures as its authority in matters of faith and practice. In accordance with the Protestant principles of the right of private judgment and the priesthood of believers, this Church acknowledges the right of each member to interpret Scripture as his conscience dictates. The covenant of faith is to be considered a testimony to things commonly believed, rather than a creedal test. This Church is liberal in its theological viewpoint and cherishes the tradition of the free pulpit.
The ordinances of this Church are two: Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. This Church considers the mode of Baptism to be nonessential, and all forms of Christian Baptism are recognized. The Lord's Supper is considered to be a meal instituted by Christ as a means whereby His followers might remember Him. The Lord's Supper shall be served on the first Sunday of alternate months beginning with January, and at such other times as the Pastor may direct.
This Church is founding and charter member of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and Cal-West, the Association of Congregational Christian Churches and Ministers of California and Neighboring States.
Messiah was highly influential in the gathering of the International Congregational Fellowship in London in 1977, with the office initially located on its premises.
The Congregational Church of the Messiah was organized on June 27, 1907, and raised its first house of worship on Washington Boulevard and Van Ness in Arlington Heights. In 1953 it was decided to relocate in Westchester, and groundbreaking services were held on Easter Sunday 1954. The first regular service on this site was held in the incompleted building October 3, 1954. Early worship in Westchester was conducted outdoors at 7113 West 91st Street. New edifices were added from time to time: the first Church School building in 1956. Arlington Hall in 1962, and the Oratorium in 1964.
Last updated on September 21, 2006
©1996-2006 Congregational Church of the Messiah, Los Angeles, California
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