1. What are the requirements for becoming a member of the congregation?
Answer: Faith in Jesus Christ, baptism (if you’ve received believers’ baptism before, they recognize it), commitment to that congregation, and a willingness to grow.
2. What are the steps I need to take? How do I go about becoming a member?
Answer: Attend a new member orientation. It is normally led by Kevin.
3. What if I'm not sure yet? How I can get my questions and concerns answered?
Answer: Attend an informal “coffee fellowship” with Kevin. In one hour you'll get an overview of Wahiawa as well as get your questions and concerns addressed. It meets occasionally and upon request.
4. What do you teach about baptism? Would I have to be baptized again in order to be a member in one of your congregations?
Answer: Baptism is a "promise made to God from a good conscience" (1 Peter 3:21 TEV). We urge all believers to be baptized (immersed) as a public demonstration of their faith in Jesus. Those who have already been so baptized as believers before coming to Wahiawa don't need to be baptized again. For those who were not, we'd consider it a privilege to be a part of this important step. A special study on baptism will help answer your questions and concerns. You may phone the church to request this study.
5. Can non-members attend Bible classes and small groups?
Answer: Most definitely. Anyone is free to participate in any activity of the church other than leadership, which is limited to members. A listing of Bible studies and small groups is also available by calling the congregational office.
6. Can I participate in the communion service even though I am not a member?
Answer: Yes, Anyone who is a committed believer in Christ can join us in this memorial of God's self-sacrifice for us.
7. Why don't you have instrumental accompaniment during your worship?
Answer: Though we make a theological case for non-instrumental worship in song (a cappella), it is not a an issue for debate, but a part of our Christian heritage that we have chosen to preserve. We will continue to use acapella singing as the music for our Sunday assemblies. Since worship is something we "do"-not just something we "watch", we encourage everyone to participate.
8. Will Kevin be speaking this Sunday?
Answer: Normally, with the exception of family vacations and military duty as an Army Reserve Chaplain, Kevin preaches at the Central congregation. He believes that God has called him to make this mission part of his life's work.
9. How do you relate to other churches of Christ, and to denominations?
Answer: We have chosen to emphasize what we have in common with other Christian groups rather than debate our differences. We try to be "Christians only" and believe that no particular group is designated by God as “the only Christians.” We are independent (or “non-denominational”).
10. Do your churches and your congregation believe that it is the only church group going to heaven? Answer: No! Absolutely not. That is an arrogant and judgmental human assertion that we clearly reject. God is the Judge, and we are happy to let him fulfill that role.
11. How are your churches governed? Who's in charge? How are they organized?
Answer: Mature churches in the New Testament were directed by respected heads of families (elders) who were selected by the congregation as servant-leaders. Qualified men have been nominated and elected by the Wahiawa congregation to serve as elders. Each of the other churches either has done this, or has it as a deliberate goal. The churches also select other male and female servants who serve the regular needs of the congregation in such areas as youth, education, nursery, benevolence, finance, and facilities ministries. Each congregation is autonomous (independent or self-governing), cooperates with others voluntarily, and neither recognizes nor answers to any national or regional church “headquarters.”
12. How should I address the ministerial staff?
Answer: We are family—equal sisters and brothers in Jesus—so we prefer to refer to each other as siblings normally do: by our first names. We do not prefer to be addressed as "reverend;" "pastor" (shepherd) refers to the role of an elder; and “doctor” is no more than a formal level of education.
If you have additional questions, please phone the the church/mission office: 808-621-7295.