We are friendly folks. We worship together, work together right here in your community. We're just average people, trying to raise our families and pay our debts and make ends meet and be good Christians. We like to have new faces in our congregation, and we like to see those new faces come back again and again. Our church doors are open to you.
But as a Church, Just Who Are We?
The name out front labels our place of worship as a "Church of God." Now that may just add to your confusion, because there are a lot of church buildings around with all kinds of names. There are reasons for these names. So what is the reason for our use of the name "Church of God"?
We go by this name because we find that term often applied to the early church in the New Testament. We like to get as close as we can to those early days and the teachings of Christ. But "Church of God" has other meanings for us. To us the term can apply to all Christians who have given their lives to Christ. By using that name we want to identify ourselves with all born-again Christians, no matter what barriers some of them may raise among themselves. We use the name, because we want to witness that we are a part of the one church which Christ founded.
Well, What Do We Stand For?
As you have already read, one thing we think very important is the unity of all of God's children in the one church which Jesus Christ established through his ministry long ago. We try to put that belief into practice in various ways. One way is by recognizing every person who shows that he or she has a real Christian experience as an actual member of our group. Thus we have no formal Church membership. You become a member of the body of Christ by accepting his salvation.
Of course there are other convictions that hold Church of God people together. We place a great deal of emphasis upon the Bible, and when people ask us about our creed we often just point at the Bible and say that there it is. Each person studies the Bible, meditates upon it, makes use of the best advice available about it, looks to the Holy Spirit - it's remarkable how closely we all come out together. The Bible describes the way of salvation, and so we stress evangelism a great deal.
In the end your beliefs count most when they are lived out. There are no hypocrites who are really in the Church of God, for by our definition of church membership only genuine Christians belong. Church of God folks try to live the highest possible kind of life - high ethically, morally, and spiritually. Of course, we don't expect to do it all in our own power, for we lean heavily upon the cleansing and empowering work of the Holy Spirit to sustain us. We simply try to live by the Bible and the guidance of God and back our actions with the love of Christ.
About the Church of God Movement
This congregation tries to carry on its work and its business affairs under the guidance of the Holy Spirit with dignity and yet with enthusiasm. We think the church has an educational as well as an evangelistic task, and so we carry on Sunday school classes, youth meetings, and many other local activities. We meet for worship, for praise, for prayer, and for fellowship. We serve in the community.
We also have Christian interests beyond our other Church of God local boundaries, and thus we join with congregations across the country in carrying on overseas mission work and assisting churches in more than forty-six countries, in sponsoring church colleges, in publishing Christian literature, in caring for our aging ministers, in promoting Christian education, in broadcasting the gospel worldwide, in extending our work into new communities and among underprivileged people right here in North America. We are concerned with emergency help and disaster wherever it occurs. Our general offices are located in Anderson, Indiana.
We are a fast-growing group of earnest Christians. We invite you to worship with us.
Meridian Church of God is glad you're visiting our website!
First of all, we want to say that You're Very Welcome! We hope you will feel right at home as we worship together. If you are searching for a church home, we'd like you to know that there's a special place here just for you.
Meridian Is A Place For Friendship
Nothing quite compares to the joy of Christian fellowship. That's why we make it a priority to build lasting bonds between the members of our church family - bonds of concern and genuine commitment to one another. Best of all, this circle of care is ever-widening. We'd love for it to include you, too.
Meridian Is A Place For Learning
To us, studying the Bible is vital because it not only instructs us intellectually, but also guides us spiritually. We believe it and accept it as God's Word to man, a Book that is alive and relevant to life today. Learning its truths is a thrilling adventure.
Meridian Is A Place For Enrichment
For every person at every age level we offer a wealth of opportunities - special programs and ministries for children, youth and adults which fill the church calendar. You can be sure that in this kaleidoscope of activities there's more than one place where you can be personally enriched.
Meridian Is A Place For Service
Just as Jesus Christ came "not to be ministered unto, but to minister -" we accept our responsibility to reach out in service to others. This applies both within the church family and outside our fellowship.
Meridian Is A Place For Worship
The primary reason we meet together is to focus our attention on God, giving Him our worship and receiving His blessing and inspiration. Each of these occasions is a special time of spiritual refreshment. We hope this is what you experience today, and we certainly hope to see you very soon.
Meridian Church of God
7800 S. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46217
(317) 881-7561
