Core Beliefs
Oak Ridge believes in interdenominational partnerships in ongoing community ministries and special service projects. We follow Jesus’ example of inclusive hospitality and welcome anyone
honoring Christ at an open communion table. To us, open membership means that regardless of past denominational affiliations or how long one has followed Christ, we welcome baptized
believers and their families into our church family. This reflects the heart for Christian unity that began the movement from which Churches of Christ come.
Most of our members come from a Church of Christ heritage and have an appreciation for the broad participation in worship that a cappella singing encourages. Occasional worship services may include a video with instrumentation or may even have a few special songs accompanied by live instruments. However, typical Sunday morning worship will continue to be predominantly a cappella and we encourage everyone to participate. Our desire for diverse participation directs many of the activities at Oak Ridge. We encourage men, women and children of various talents and ages, family situations and spiritual experiences to participate fully in the life of this faith community. And, we ask that everyone work to build up the church with the gifts given them by the Holy Spirit.
honoring Christ at an open communion table. To us, open membership means that regardless of past denominational affiliations or how long one has followed Christ, we welcome baptized
believers and their families into our church family. This reflects the heart for Christian unity that began the movement from which Churches of Christ come.
Most of our members come from a Church of Christ heritage and have an appreciation for the broad participation in worship that a cappella singing encourages. Occasional worship services may include a video with instrumentation or may even have a few special songs accompanied by live instruments. However, typical Sunday morning worship will continue to be predominantly a cappella and we encourage everyone to participate. Our desire for diverse participation directs many of the activities at Oak Ridge. We encourage men, women and children of various talents and ages, family situations and spiritual experiences to participate fully in the life of this faith community. And, we ask that everyone work to build up the church with the gifts given them by the Holy Spirit.
We realize that our culture and religious traditions have privileged adult men and restricted the participation of others (i.e. saying a prayer or reading Scripture aloud, etc.). Extensive study and many conversations have led us away from such a restrictive understanding of Biblical passages and our traditional teaching regarding who may visibly participate in worship.
We consider a person’s giftedness more than their gender, age or experience when inviting people to visibly participate. Please trust that we continue to study and pray for Holy Spirit guidance. We remain committed to follow Christ’s leadership. We will ask both husbands and their wives to serve Oak Ridge as shepherd couples to encourage and support their ministry.
Grace is key. We affirm God’s call to holiness. We encourage living within Biblical standards of
conduct in our families, self-control over our bodies, avoidance of addiction, treating our
neighbors with dignity and so forth. And we equally confess that all human beings fail to live up to those standards. When members of our faith community experience divorce, or addiction or
moral failure we pray they will let us help them to bring those burdens to the Grace of Christ.
When newcomers to our community of faith bring in baggage from a rough past, we share our
stories of brokenness and healing and invite them to the Grace of Christ. Grace is more than
forgiveness or pardon. Grace is God’s power to transform us, to make us new.
The Leadership of Oak Ridge prays that all of us will find Grace for each new day. May this
discussion open conversation. May it point the direction Jesus is leading us. May you find your
place in our story. May we all grow up into Him who is the Head of all things.
conduct in our families, self-control over our bodies, avoidance of addiction, treating our
neighbors with dignity and so forth. And we equally confess that all human beings fail to live up to those standards. When members of our faith community experience divorce, or addiction or
moral failure we pray they will let us help them to bring those burdens to the Grace of Christ.
When newcomers to our community of faith bring in baggage from a rough past, we share our
stories of brokenness and healing and invite them to the Grace of Christ. Grace is more than
forgiveness or pardon. Grace is God’s power to transform us, to make us new.
The Leadership of Oak Ridge prays that all of us will find Grace for each new day. May this
discussion open conversation. May it point the direction Jesus is leading us. May you find your
place in our story. May we all grow up into Him who is the Head of all things.