About Us
Christians Only
We wear the name given to us by God—the name of Christ. In Acts 11:26, we find that the disciples were called “Christians.” We belong to Christ and to Him we owe our faithfulness. We try to let there be no confusion that we uphold the Bible and its principles in what we practice, teach, and preach. We teach no creed but Christ and his Word as given to us in the Bible. We adhere to God’s Word as our sole religious authority. We wear no other name except Christ. We believe that if we teach and practice only what is found in the bible, then we will be all that God wants us to be — Christians.
Our church government is also found in the Bible. Christ is our head (Ephesians 5:23), elders or pastors “shepherd the flock” (1 Peter 5:2), deacons serve (1 Timothy 3:8-13), and evangelists preach. We accept no other form of leadership for the body of Christ.
An Invitation?
After each sermon, the congregation will sing an "invitation song". During this song, time is provided for those with spiritual needs to make those needs known. Traditionally, it is during this song that people may make their way to the front seat of the auditorium and write their thoughts or needs on a response card that is provided there. At this time, one of our pastors (elders) will sit with and talk to those who have needs and if it is appropriate and desired, make a public announcement regarding the individuals request.
This is a time for all to come who desire to pledge their faithfulness to Christ in obedience to the gospel (become a Christian). It is also a time provided for our members who may wish to confess sin and seek forgiveness through both individual and congregational prayer. No one is ever forced to publicly respond in this way, but anyone with spiritual needs is encouraged to do so.
One who believes in Christ (Romans 1:16), repents of sin (II Peter 3:9), confesses faith in Christ (Romans 10:9,10) and is baptized into Christ for remission of sins (Acts 2:38) is added to the church by God (Acts 2:47). Through this obedience, one is recognized as a member of the body of Christ, which is the Lord’s church. No one will be embarrassed by being denied the opportunity to become a Christian. Nor will anyone suffer the embarrassment of a “vote” by the congregation. Everyone who desires may be a member of the Lord’s body at Carbondale.
A Friendly Welcome
Solomon said, “He who would have friends must first show himself friendly.” The Christians at Carbondale will greet you with a friendly smile and a warm welcome. Everyone who visits this congregation is an honored guest. We hope you will come and worship with us. We believe that you will be truly blessed and encouraged as we worship God together.
Simple, Dignified Worship
We truly hope that you will enjoy the simplicity and dignity of our worship as we praise God and honor his Son, Jesus Christ. The worship format is designed to draw the audience closer to God in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
Since God's Word alone governs our worship, you’ll find that we participate only in activities approved and found in the New Testament. We do our best to duplicate the pattern of correct worship as described in the Bible. We offer you descriptions of the worship service as you might expect in a church of Christ.
Singing
Most find our style of vocal music refreshing, beautiful and spiritually uplifting. Lively, spirited and expressive songs are selected to represent our teachings as well as demonstrate our feelings of love, fellowship and praise. Though our songs are not accompanied by instruments, they are an expression of thanksgiving from the heart to God (Ephesians 5:19).
Preaching and Teaching
An evangelist and other Christian men who are either formally or informally educated in the Bible conduct the preaching in the worship service. Our teachers strive to instruct their audiences in God’s Word and urge them to live a life that reflects what they learn. If you visit us - please follow the speaker in the Bible closely as he presents his lesson. We check all of our teaching with the bible to ensure that we are faithful to the Word of God.
Contribution (Giving/Donations)
A collection is taken each Sunday for the purpose of helping the less fortunate, continuing the work of the gospel in our community, and the maintenance of our building facilities. Each family of members is encouraged to give cheerfully as God has blessed them (2 Corinthians 9:7). All contributions are purely voluntary.
The Lord’s Memorial Supper
The Lord’s Supper or Communion (sometimes called “Eucharist") is also observed each Sunday. In 1 Corinthians we are reminded to partake of this supper to remember Christ and his sacrifice for us. This is considered to be the central and most essential element of every Sunday worship service.
Prayer
Prayer is the way God has allowed us to speak to Him and express our needs and to give thanks. In the worship service, several prayers are offered publicly. Though the prayers are not necessarily prepared in advance (though they are at times), they come from the heart of the deliverer to address congregational needs, individual needs, and to give thanksgiving. We invite you to silently participate in every prayer as our thoughts are directed to God.
History of Carbondale Church of Christ
The Church of Christ in Carbondale had its beginning in the year 1929. Prior to that time, the only congregation of the Church of Christ in the Tulsa area was the 10th & Rockford church. Five families of the 10th & Rockford congregation lived in the town of Carbondale, which is today a part of the city of Tulsa. Thirteen of the people in these families were members of the church, plus eight other family members who were not.
During the latter part of 1929, a meeting was held to discuss the possibility of starting a congregation in the Carbondale area. This meeting was held in the home of Tom and Idella Evans. Brothers Evans, Conway, and Christenson from the Carbondale families and Brother Ernest Brown, one of the elders at 10th & Rockford, and Brother John Allen Hudson, the minister at 10th & Rockford were all present. The meeting resulted in the decision to begin a new congregation in this area.
The Carbondale City Hall was rented and the first service of the new congregation was held in December, 1929. Brother Conway and Brother Evans took turns “giving talks” each Sunday. Brother Christenson led the singing. Later, 10th & Rockford sent Brother Williamson to preach for about a year. The new congregation grew steadily in love and numbers.
An unused white frame church building located at 11th and Rockford streets in Tulsa was purchased in 1930. The building was torn down by the men from Carbondale and 10th & Rockford congregations and all the materials hauled to Carbondale where it was reassembled on a lot donated by Tom and Idella Evans. Tom Evans and Lester McCombs were both professional carpenters who worked and supervised the reconstruction of the building. The men of the congregation spent many weeks in the rebuilding process. Every evening and day off was devoted to the work by those who had steady jobs. The building was finally completed and the congregation met in it for the first service in December, 1930.
The church grew slowly but steadily. There was a very active Ladies Class. They did a lot of sewing for the Tipton’s Orphan Home in addition to canning fruits and vegetables from their gardens to send to the Home. They also “adopted” at least one child from the Home that they provided all of the clothing needs of that child.
Continued growth in the next few years necessitated an addition to the original structure. This new addition consisted of two much needed classrooms. However, even this additional space soon became inadequate to accommodate the gradual growth of the congregation. It was then decided to buy the two houses that were adjacent to the church building and use them for classrooms. This arrangement continued until 1954 when these structures were removed to make way for the construction of a new concrete block building with eight classrooms and an auditorium with a seating capacity of 310. In 1965 a new and larger auditorium was built adjoining the existing structure. A spacious foyer and hallway connect the two buildings. The old auditorium was converted into two floors of classrooms and office space.
Carbondale has been blessed with some of the finest preachers during the past 74 years! Albert Yowell preached from 1932 to 1936. Charlie Parker preached part-time in the years after 1936. Some of the preachers who were hired on a full-time basis were as follows:
Shaddon Edwards 1946 to 1949
Roy Lanier 1950 to 1953
Hoyt Thatcher 1953 to 1958
Jack Hill 1958 to 1987
Sam Sidders 1987 to 1991
Marty Kessler 1992 to 1997
Lee Keele 1997 to 2005
Judge Morris 2005 to present
Today there are no surviving members of the original group that met for the first time in December of 1929. Ruth Williams passed away recently and much of the data in this historical account was furnished by her. The congregation presently has an average attendance of almost 150 and is continuing to grow. We pray that we will continue to build upon the foundation that was laid 74 years ago in that historic first meeting in the Carbondale City Hall.
Carbondale Church of Christ
“Where Love Abounds”