Local


 What is a Grace Brethren Church?
 Grace Brethren churches are related through fellowship, rather than a denominational structure. Each congregation is an autonomous organization and is free to make its own decisions and govern itself. By being part of the larger fellowship, the churches voluntarily choose to be accountable to one another and to work together in fulfilling the Great Commission.

 Who are you affiliated with?
 The Grace Brethren Church of Millersburg is affiliated with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, which includes more than 40,000 members in more than 300 churches nationwide.
  What is the history of your local congregation?

 How did you get started?
 The Grace Brethren Church of Millersburg dates back to a Bible class started in Holmes County by George Johnson, a missionary to Brazil from Wooster, Ohio in October of 1986. By January of 1987, public worship services had begun first at the PCA [now the Farm Credit Building in Millersburg]. Sunday School and A.M. worship later were held in the Millersburg Elementary lunchroom, while Wednesday evening prayer meetings met at the Millersburg Fire Department.

 Charles Thornton, the first full-time pastor, began his ministry on August 30, 1987, challenging the congregation to ask God for a better place to meet. God promptly provided suitable accommodations, and on November 1, 1987, the first meeting of the Grace Brethren Church of Millersburg was held in the Calvary Building on Route 39 between Millersburg and Berlin.

 In the spring of 1989, 13+ acres were purchased on TR 305, 1/3 mile behind the Millersburg Fire Department. On February 13, 1994, the church voted that the time had come to build a church building there; the Ground Breaking Service was held on May 1, 1994, and construction began within the month. July, 1995 was a joyful time as the first services were held in the new building.

 1996 was a year of changes at the new building -- Pastor Thornton submitted his resignation on March 17, effective in July. A pastoral search committee was formed, and on June 30, 1996, Roland R. Maust was called as the new pastor of the Grace Brethren Church of Millersburg. He officially began his ministry on September 1, 1996, challenging the church to use our church campus to launch out in ministry to the people in Millersburg, to Holmes County, to the State of Ohio, and to all the world.
 

 National


 Where do you come from?
 The fellowship has its roots in Germany in 1708. It was there on the banks of the Eder River that Alexander Mack and a small group of Christians committed themselves to the Bible instead of the state Church. They determined they would adopt no human creed; such a creed would limit them in their search after truth in the Scriptures. Their motto, "The Bible, the Whole Bible, and Nothing But the Bible," has been the central standard of the Grace Brethren Church ever since.

 What national resources does the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches offer?
 Winona Lake, Indiana is the closest thing that we have to a headquarters for the Fellowship, but there are no official offices, nor any denominational officers. Winona Lake is home to our North American Missions and International Missions offices, as well as Grace Theological Seminary and Grace College, voted one of the 100 "Best Buys" in American Colleges for two years in a row. Some of the other organizations that serve the fellowship include Brethren Investment Foundation (investments), CE National (education), the National Institute for the Development of Ministries to Youth (training of youth leaders), and more.

 What do you believe?
 We encourage you to print out this document to read at your own convenience, with your Bible in hand. An in-depth study of our doctrinal position is available at the Information Center, or free upon request.
     •     The Bible is the infallible Word of God, supernaturally inspired and preserved by God to be the only authority and standard for doctrine and practice.
     •     One true God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and is the creator and sustainer of the Universe.
     •     The person Jesus Christ in the flesh is both God and man. He was virgin born, lived a sinless life, was crucified for our sins, conquered death and the grave through His bodily resurrection, ascended into heaven, and will come again for His own.
     •     The person of the Holy Spirit is God who indwells, baptizes, and seals all believers at the moment of their salvation and enables them to live a consistent, godly, separated life.
     •     Man was created in the image of God but subsequently fell into sin, resulting in spiritual death. Salvation is provided wholly by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
     •     The visible church is a congregation of baptized believers practicing biblical principles, believing its doctrine, observing the ordinances of baptism and communion, and exercising its autonomy.
     •     The future life of mankind will be a conscious existence of eternal life for the saved in Christ, and eternal punishment for those who are lost in their sin.

THREE-FOLD COMMUNION

 A distinctive of the Grace Brethren Church is that we celebrate a three-fold communion consisting of the washing of the feet, the Lord's Supper, and the bread and the cup. It is on observance commanded by the Lord as symbolic teaching of great spiritual truths.
  If you have never attended a communion service, or have not attended regularly, please consider making this service a vital part of your Christian walk. At Millersburg GBC, communion is held twice a year, during Easter and at Thanksgiving. If you have questions, pick up additional information at the Information Center or talk with on elder or deacon.

 BAPTISM

 Jesus commands every believer to publicly declare his faith in Christ by being baptized in water. Baptism does not save you. It is a testimony of your conversion and your obedience to the commands of your Savior, Jesus Christ. The three times you are submerged under water communicates your worship of, and obedience to, God the Father, Jesus the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit -- the Trinity. Children who have received Christ personally should, at their parents' discretion, be encouraged to obey the Lord in baptism.

 Baptismal services are scheduled throughout the year. Contact the church office (674-9540) for more information.

  MEMBERSHIP

 We are delighted whenever someone is interested in our church. If you are considering formally joining our congregation, you are invited you to attend Pastor's Class. This four-week course will inform you about the biblical doctrines, practices, and government of our church. Call the church office (674-9540) for the dates and times of the next series of classes. More information is also available at the Information Center.