Who are the Church of Christ?
The Church of Christ dates back to a time in America known as the “Great Awakening” when folks felt called back to the simpler practices of Christianity as described in the New Testament. The idea was to emphasize Bible truths over the traditions of men as a means of having unity among all believers. Today, there are several flavors (if you will) of groups calling themselves “Church of Christ.” Each such group is autonomous (self governing) and may vary in practice and belief. We believe that Jesus was God’s Son. We believe the Bible is God’s word. We practice weekly communion and congregational acapella singing. We encourage Bible study, prayer, and living an authentic life in the Spirit. We fall short in our Christian walk but trust His grace is sufficient to save us.
How big is the Southside church family?
We currently average around 370 active members and regular attendees at our Sunday assembly.
What do you offer for children on Sunday morning?
Children are a special part of our congregation and we value them as full participants in the life of our church. During the adult worship service, children ages 3 years old through third grade are dismissed to participate in their own time of singing, prayer and Bible learning known as Kids Own Worship. Sunday School classes are available for children (preschool through the 12th grade).
What do you offer for babies and toddlers?
Nursery care is provided for both infants and toddlers from 9:00 a.m. until the conclusion of the worship period each week. Our infant nursery has several cribs and infant toys and is staffed by skilled caregivers. Our toddler nursery offers a spacious play area with many fun, interactive toys for the children. Care is provided by an experienced childcare worker, and each week the toddlers participate in a brief Bible story time.
What is “Kids Own Worship” and what will my child do there?
Kids Own Worship is the children’s version of adult worship. Children are taught Christian virtues and learn to prepare for participation in the church’s worship practices. They learn to quiet their minds in order to enter into worship and relationship with God, they learn how to talk with God, and they learn stories from the Bible in a way that they can understand.
Who goes to your church?
We have quite a mixture of people at Southside. Our congregation truly spans the ages, from newborns to folks in their 80s. You will find just about every type of person here – married, single, divorced, widowed – professionals, workers, retired – life-long Lexington residents and those who have just recently moved to the Bluegrass. But even more important than the kind of people who go here is the kind of people who are welcome here – everyone!
Do I have to belong to your church to attend?
Not at all. In fact, many in our congregation come from a church background other than the Church of Christ. We have many former Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians and Methodists. We are a “patchwork” church – people with different church backgrounds “woven together” by God’s grace.
Do you have to dress up to attend your worship service?
No. Dressing up is not a requirement to worship with us. Some do wear their “Sunday best” but you will see many folks in a casual shirt and slacks, or even jeans. We believe the most important part about Sunday morning is showing up, ready to worship God.
What kind of things do you do in your worship service?
We strive to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere at Southside. We share announcements and church news; we share our joys and concerns and lift them to God in prayer; we have congregational acapella singing; we read the Bible and talk about it through the sermon; we collect an offering from our members to further God’s work; and we take communion.
Can a visitor take communion?
Yes. We take communion each week as a tangible reminder of God’s gift to us in Jesus Christ. We believe in open communion – that means that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ is welcome to take communion, whether they are a church member or not.
What kind of adult education/spiritual growth opportunities do you offer?
Adults have their choice of three different Sunday School classes to join each week at 9:30 a.m. The classes vary in size, format and the age of their members but all are glad to have guests join them.
What kind of outreach is the church involved in?
Southside is active in a variety of longstanding local and global outreach ministries. Our outreach involves giving financially and also giving of ourselves physically in service to a cause or person. We always strive to be immediately available to those undergoing a personal crisis or victims of natural disasters. We believe strongly that we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others.
Where do I park?
Parking is available on Sundays and Wednesdays in the lots behind and next to the church building. We also have available parking at the Doctors Park lot located at 1518 Nicholasville Road, located two lots north of the church building.
Sunday mornings additional parking is also available across Nicholasville Road in the UK lot (this lot is restricted on Wednesday nights).
If possible, please reserve the spaces at the Southside building for our visitors and elderly.
