Level Green Christian Church began when a church covenant was made on August 20, 1836, as they “met and sat in church order at Giboney’s Storehouse” (believed to have been part of the parking lot near Route 42).

 

It is told that a log church/schoolhouse was erected prior to 1836 where the current church stands. “Huffman’s School”, as it was known, became the meeting place for the church.

 

In the late 1800’s, the log building was moved to make room for a new sanctuary to be built.

 

The main structure of the current building was built in 1895-1896, with the new building being dedicated on May 17, 1896.

 

The rear addition to the church was added in the spring of 1958. The parsonage was completed in 1963. The front addition was completed in 1974.  In 1993, the parsonage was renovated to be used as a fellowship hall, being used for various church and community events.

 

As a church of the “Restoration Movement”, the Level Green Christian Church strives to follow the example of the church found in the New Testament.

 

The New Testament church:

 

In America, in the early 1800’s, what is known as the Restoration Movement began. Barton Stone, a Presbyterian minister, tired of the divisions within the church, began this movement with the desire to restore the church to the apostolic teachings of the New Testament.

 

In the 1820’s, Stone’s movement merged with a similar movement by Thomas and Alexander Campbell, who also were Presbyterian ministers. One of Alexander Campbell’s primary objectives was to achieve unity among all Christians. He felt that this unity could only be obtained by Christians forsaking all man-made creeds and traditions and returning to the forms, structures, and doctrines of the apostolic church. To this end, the members of the Campbell-Stone movement returned to the early Christian practices of weekly communion, congregational autonomy, and a plural ministry in each congregation.

 

The churches of Christ, Christian Churches, including Level Green Christian Church, and Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ), all trace their roots to the Campbell-Stone movement. While there are some differences between the churches, all of the churches hold to the ideas proclaimed by the Campbell-Stone movement:

 

The Bible teaches a rational plan of salvation. Do what Jesus and the apostles commanded and you will be saved. The Scriptures do not teach us to look for lights and signs and listen for strange voices, and expect to be picked up bodily. The religion of Jesus Christ is intended for all people, and is made plain so that all people can understand it. Conversion is simply a change. Yes, a change of the heart. The Bible says we think and reason with the heart; that is, the intellect (Luke 9:47; Mark 2:8). It says we love and hate with the heart; that is, the affections (Matthew 6:19, 21). We purpose with the heart; that is, the will (2 Corinthians 9:7). It says that the heart condemns and approves; that is, the conscience (1 John 3:20, 21).

 

So when someone is converted they are completely changed in intellect, in affections and will. They have done their duty, and hence the heart or mind approves of what they have done, and their conscience is at ease. Faith changes our way of thinking; repentance, our will; and baptism, our state; and all combined changed our relation toward God and make us a Christian. One who hears the gospel, believes on Christ, repents of their sins, confesses Christ, and is baptized into Christ is a Christian. We have met Christ where Christ promised to meet us. We must then continue faithful unto death and will receive a crown of life.

 

Some say, “It is easy to become a Christian.” This remark is sometimes carelessly made to prospects for conversion. It is not true, for the matter of surrendering one’s life to Christ, facing up to sin, and submitting to Christian baptism require much courage and humility.

 

It is more accurate to say that it is simple to become a Christian. The steps by which a person may obtain forgiveness of sins and receive the hope of salvation are reasonably simple.

 

 

In his “Practical Commentary on the Gospels”, Greek and New Testament scholar, Dr. Donald Nash, highlights several key points:

 

Those desiring to follow the plan of salvation may reach out to the minister, elders, or other Christian members of the congregation for guidance and encouragement. Those who have worked through the plan of salvation, and are seeking baptism may come forward during the invitation hymn during a normal worship service or contact the minister or elders outside of the normal worship service.

 

Anyone who has “put on Christ” by immersion, after having first believed in Jesus, repented of their sins, and publicly confessed Him as their personal Savior, as revealed in the New Testament Scriptures, will be received into the fellowship at Level Green Christian Church as a member of this congregation.

 

Those coming other congregations, desiring to place their membership with the Level Green Christian Church, having previously experienced New Testament conversion through faith in Jesus Christ as the revealed Son of God, repentance upon the basis of that faith, confession in Him as their personal Savior, and baptism by immersion will receive the “right hand of Christian fellowship”. We ask that those seeking to place their membership with the congregation come forward during the invitation hymn during a normal worship service. The minister or designee will simply ask the believer to confirm their intention and confession of faith. A letter from the other congregation is not required. However, it is tradition that the Level Green Christian Church will notify the former congregation of the change in membership.