Larry Barchett
Elder
Rockport, Indiana
882 North County Road 200 West, Rockport. Come as you are. We would be glad to see you.
Nobody will single you out, and nothing is asked of you. Here is what a Sunday morning looks like, so none of it is a surprise.
We sing without instruments, following the pattern in the New Testament. Song books are handed out. Join in or listen.
The Lord's Supper is taken each first day of the week, following the example in Acts 20:7. The trays pass down each row and you are free to pass them along.
Children are welcome in the assembly, and there is a nursery if you would rather step out with a little one.
A collection is taken on Sundays. It is for the congregation to support its own work. Visitors are not expected to give.
Parking is on site, just off County Road 200 West.
Some dress up, most do not. You will not be out of place either way.
With so many constant changes to emotions, standards and society, a steadfast rule book is required to lead us to Heaven. We follow the scripture in our worship to ensure proper service. We strive to treat others with honesty, dignity, and compassion.
Two elders share the oversight and care of the congregation, and Vic Markgraf preaches. Scripture sets out what an elder is, and that passage is in the beliefs below.
Elder
Elder
Preacher since 2023
Vic has been preaching for the Spencer County church of Christ since 2023. He and his wife have three children. He is enrolled at Sunset International Bible Institute pursuing a Bachelor of Biblical Studies degree, and is passionate about preaching the Word and working with the congregation's elders to spread the Gospel and teach others about Christ.
He earned academic degrees in human resources management and nursing, and specializes in employee development and training. His preaching is loving with dynamic conviction, meant to motivate spiritual growth among the congregation while spreading the exciting nature of Christ's message to those outside Christian fellowship.
As a preacher, he is committed through personal belief to provide biblical, pertinent, and easily applicable lessons to Rockport and the surrounding communities. For this reason, nothing short of biblical truth in love will suffice.
We are having a friendly memory verse competition. Additional verses will be added frequently.
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Deuteronomy 11:18 NIV
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
Use whichever translation you prefer. NIV, ESV, NLT and others are all welcome for the competition.
Below are some of the more common questions about who we are and why we believe certain things to be true. We will add explainer videos to each section as we are able. As always, if you have a question, please ask.
An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God's household, he must be blameless, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Titus 1:6-9 NIV
While we take our legal name from Romans 16:16, the church of Christ is a group of Christians striving to follow after Christ (Matthew 16:24). We model ourselves after the teachings of Christ and his apostles (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
We believe the Bible is the word of God because it claims to be His word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We also believe it is the word of God because of its reliable nature, possessing everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
Becoming a part of the Lord's body is clearly outlined for us in Scripture. Belief in Jesus is the beginning, as confirmed in Acts 16:30-33. This faith is made manifest by confessing Christ as our savior (Romans 10:8-9), repenting of your sins (1 John 1:9), and being baptized (Acts 2:37-39).
To be baptized literally means to be immersed, in this case in water. This definition is made clear by examples in Scripture. In Acts 8:34-38, the men had to go all the way down into the water for their baptism. The waters themselves are not sacred, but the obedience and submission is what connects us to Christ's sacrifice (1 Peter 3:20-21).
We take communion every Sunday in imitation of the pattern set in Scripture. In Acts 20:6-7 we are told that Paul gathered on the first day of the week to break bread, one of the names used to speak about communion. Notice how Paul delayed his departure to worship with the brethren in Troas.
Christ is the head of His church (Ephesians 5:23). His word, the Bible, is the ultimate authority. Under our own part of Christ's kingdom, we follow the pattern of Scripture once again by appointing and following elders (1 Peter 5:1-4).
Because we worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23-24). We seek to share God's love, compassion, salvation, and glory with one another, recognizing we are all equal partakers of His honor (1 Corinthians 12:26-27).
Jesus is the Christ, the appointed savior by God (Matthew 16:15-17). He is God Himself (John 10:29-33), bringing salvation for all (1 Timothy 1:15).
The Holy Spirit intercedes for us today (Romans 8:26-27). He also lives within us upon receiving our salvation (Acts 2:38-39; 1 Corinthians 6:18-19). The Holy Spirit also acts as our seal of salvation, the promise of what is to come (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Women, like men, are to live a life pleasing to God, for we are all the same in the eyes of our Creator (1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 3:26-29). We believe God tasked man with leading corporate worship, but in no way is such an assignment meant to devalue or belittle a sister in Christ (1 Timothy 2:11-12).
While tithing is a function of the Old Law and not present under the new promise of Christ, we do see both commands and examples of Christian benevolence collected through their local body of worship (2 Corinthians 9:6-7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2). We are to use our means here on earth now to store up treasure in heaven (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
We do our best to imitate the pattern set forth in Scripture, in which the New Testament only mentions the use of vocal singing (Matthew 26:30; James 5:13). The point of praising God in song is to build one another up and submit ourselves to God (Ephesians 5:18-21).
Questions, prayer requests, or how we can help you or the community. Any of these reach us.
882 North County Road 200 West, Rockport, Indiana