Welcome
Welcome to Christ Indianapolis United Methodist Church! We are delighted to have you join our loving and diverse community of faith seekers. At Christ Church, we strive to create a warm, inclusive, and spiritually enriching environment where all are embraced just as they are. Whether you are exploring your faith, seeking spiritual growth, or looking for a place to call home, we invite you to journey with us as we follow Christ's teachings and share God's love with one another and the world.
What to Expect
When walking through the door on Sunday morning, you can expect to feel welcomed. During our traditional 9am service in the sanctuary you will experience traditional hymns and liturgy along with a sense of community and fellowship. During our 11:15am service in Fellowship Hall, which we call THIRST, you can expect to hear more contemporary worship songs and a relaxed setting. During this service you can grab some breakfast, have a seat at any table and be ready to strengthen your faith through a biblically based sermon. At Christ Indy UMC, we want you to feel like you are home -- like you are a part of our family.
What to Wear
While some attend in more formal wear, others are wear more casual clothing. We want you to wear what you are comfortable in. There is no dress code, come as you are.
Our Five Pillars
Fellowship:
Fellowship, rooted in the teachings of scripture, holds immense importance within Christian communities. The Bible encourages believers to gather together in fellowship as it fosters unity, support, and spiritual growth. In Hebrews 10:24-25, it is written, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another." This underscores the role of fellowship in encouraging positive actions and providing mutual support. Moreover, the New Testament emphasizes the importance of bearing one another's burdens, exemplifying Christ's love, and strengthening the body of believers through communal bonds. Through scripture-inspired fellowship, Christians can find solace, encouragement, and a shared sense of purpose in their faith journeys.
Service:
Serving, as illuminated by scripture, lies at the core of Christian faith and practice. In Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus instructs his followers, saying, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." This passage enforces the Christian duty to serve those in need as a direct expression of love for Christ. Throughout the Bible, believers are repeatedly called to serve their neighbors, showing compassion and acting justly. Serving others, guided by scripture, not only aligns with Christian values but also leads to a more meaningful and purposeful life, fulfilling the biblical mandate to love one another as Christ has loved us.
Prayer
Prayer is a cornerstone of the Christian faith, as it fosters a deep and personal connection with God. In Philippians 4:6-7, the Bible teaches, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This passage highlights the importance of prayer in finding peace and seeking God's guidance in times of worry or distress. Throughout the Bible, prayer is not only a means of communication with God but also a source of strength, wisdom, and spiritual growth for believers, emphasizing its profound significance in the Christian journey.
Community
Community is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, exemplified in passages such as Romans 12:4-5: "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." This verse illustrates the interconnectedness and unity of believers as a single, harmonious body in Christ. Additionally, Acts 2:42-47 describes the early Christian community, emphasizing their devotion to fellowship, breaking bread together, and sharing their resources, reflecting the importance of communal bonds in nurturing faith and providing support. In essence, scripture underscores that Christian faith thrives in the context of a loving and supportive community where believers can grow spiritually, bear one another's burdens, and collectively live out their faith.
Witness
Witnessing is a central tenet of the Christian faith, encapsulating the imperative to share the gospel message and one's own faith journey with others. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructs his disciples, saying, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." This Great Commission emphasizes the duty of every Christian to bear witness to the transformative power of Christ's teachings. Acts 1:8 further underscores the importance of witnessing as it states, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Witnessing is not only a command but also a privilege, as it allows believers to participate in God's redemptive work and offer hope and salvation to others through their own faith experiences.