Welcome and Invitation
|
Welcome to the fellowship of Liberty Christian Church. Through the years, Liberty has remained constant in its concern and support for those in need and in its friendship within the church and community.
Those who worship at Liberty find acceptance and a loving spirit. We are a small church concerned with the needs of the immediate community and support world-wide missions through the International Organization of the Disciples of Christ. Our membership is represented by various denominational backgrounds.
Focusing on serving Christ, studying the Bible, knowing the Spirit, and sharing God's love with others, we invite you to join us in this special place of worship. |
Pastor
| Burdett Wantland has ministered to the congregation of Liberty Christian Church since 1969.
He is a retired professor of philosophy and religion at West Georgia College in Carrollton, Georgia. He holds a Master of Divinity Degree from the Christian Theological Seminary, and M.A Degree in religion from Butler University, and an M.A Degree in Philosophy from the University of Missouri.
Reverend Wantland is the cornerstone of Liberty's Adult Sunday School Class and provides opportunities for an academic and spiritual understanding and avid encouragement of group discussion and participation.
His guidance in Bible study and his ministry at Liberty is enhanced by an appreciation and understanding of human strengths and limitations.
|
History
| Liberty Christian Church was organized in Coweta County in 1847 by the Reverend John Smith. It is believed that this congregation is the third oldest church affiliated with the Disciples of Christ in Georgia. This historic church dates back almost to the very beginnings of the Disciples of Christ.
Charter members of Liberty Christian Church include such names as Lenderman, Dyer, Smith, and Hyde. Descendants of these pioneer families are still on the roll of the church today.
In 1863 Henry Hyde gave the church two acres including the land where the church cemetery is located.
Today this quaint white church, with delicate corbeling at the roofline and square brick columns, sits peacefully in a grove of trees on Macedonia Road. Though there have been several additions to the church building, the congregation still worships in the first permanent house of worship built in 1854.
|
|
Christian Church
|
Liberty Christian Church is a member of the Disciples of Christ faith tradition. The Disciples began in the early 1800's not with the intention of starting another denomination but to unify christians. Our founding fathers thought unity could become a reality if the Protestant Principle of "Individual freedom of belief" became the cherished standard among all believers. They thought the best way to follow this path would be to use the scriptures as the primary guide in all matters of faith and practice. As a "people of the book" we continuously explore the biblical library to discover the unfolding message of God. Accepting human difference as a given the Disciples welcome such as a strength rather than a weakness. This means the church anticipates variety in interpretation of all religious themes. We affirm that the spirit of the living God is guiding those who seek truth in sincerity and openness. We understand that mistaken opinions will occur but divine mercy and Christian love will help correct erroneous beliefs. Disciples confess that the kind of God revealed in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ is a reliable foundation for our trust.
For almost 200 years the customs and beliefs of the Disciples have generally followed the following points of emphasis:
The autonomy of the local congregation in relation to beliefs and practices. Each congregation is self-sustaining and democratic in decision making.
Worship, education, social action, outreach, and fellowship are fundamentals in the ministry of the church. By these means the focus is on developing strong personal relationships in the home and community.
Baptism and communion (also called "The Lord's Supper) are symbolic expressions of Christian identity.
Racial equality, gender equality, economic equality are central to the Christian message and are the criteria for selecting leaders of the church and welcoming new members.
Disciple seminaries emphasize the importance of a broad based educational experience as the best preparation for service in God's kingdom. Such preparation includes studies in history, science, math, philosophy, theology, literature, and world religions.
The constantly changing dynamics of individuals, society, and culture challenge all Christians to develop creative ways to witness to God's love for human beings. Historically our brotherhood has attempted to meet these challenges in our search for a meaningful faith. These are our goals for the 21th century.
|
|
