Spencer County
Church of Christ

Rockport, Indiana

We meet twice a week.

Sunday
9:00 Bible class
Sunday
10:00 Worship

882 North County Road 200 West, Rockport. Come as you are. We would be glad to see you.

What to expect Get directions

The Spencer County Church of Christ building on County Road 200 West

If this is your first time

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.

The singing is a cappella

We sing without instruments, following the pattern in the New Testament. Song books are handed out. Join in or listen.

Communion every Sunday

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.

There is a nursery

Children are welcome in the assembly, and there is a nursery if you would rather step out with a little one.

The collection is for members

A collection is taken on Sundays. It is for the congregation to support its own work. Visitors are not expected to give.

Parking

Parking is on site, just off County Road 200 West.

What people wear

Some dress up, most do not. You will not be out of place either way.

About us

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.

Read about our journey

  • The Spencer County Church of Christ began in the Summer of 1980 with Bobby Wade promoting it. We first met in a car parts storage room. I’m the only original member left in the church. We knocked on doors all over Rockport, handing out Christian literature and inviting people to join us. We had very little money and would take home our communion cups to wash and reuse them.
  • When the power plant started, we gained several members who were already Christians. We had members take turns preaching to our group and we were supported by other churches for a while. When the building on Center St went up for sale, we were able to purchase it. We had several children who lived in the area join our congregation.
  • Rick Dominy was our first paid preacher. He and his wife were expecting a son, Joe. Joe had muscular dystrophy and passed away at the age of 21. He touched a lot of lives with his kind disposition, his love of God, and his smile. Rick and his wife eventually moved back to North Carolina.
  • Our congregation continued to grow and had approximately 80 members when Bobby Wade was our preacher. We lost several families when Hawesville started a church.
  • Bobby and Dan Wade played a great part in the church. They are both great preachers, teaching “Truth in Love” and dedicated their lives to saving souls.
  • While we have gained and lost some members we still remain faithful and welcome those who want to serve.
  • Ken and Opal Walton donated the ground to build our new building.
Members sharing a meal together in the fellowship area The congregation gathered for Sunday worship Tables set for a congregational meal

Who leads the congregation

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.

Larry Barchett

Larry Barchett

Elder

Frank Taylor

Frank Taylor

Elder

Vic Markgraf

Vic Markgraf

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.

Our church and convictions

Our Statement of Convictions governs the rules of the church, and every one of those rules is based on scripture.

The congregation's written Statement of Convictions

Memory verses

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.

What we believe, and why

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.

What is an elder?

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

Who are the Church of Christ?

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).

Why do you believe the Bible is God's word?

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).

What do I have to do to be a member of the church?

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).

What do you mean when you say "baptized"?

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).

When do you take communion?

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.

Who leads your church?

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).

Why should I worship with you?

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).

Who is Jesus?

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).

What does the Holy Spirit do today?

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).

What role do women have in the church?

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).

What about collections or tithing?

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).

Why do you sing a cappella?

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).

Get in touch

Questions, prayer requests, or how we can help you or the community. Any of these reach us.

Where we meet

882 North County Road 200 West
Rockport, Indiana 47635

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Phone

812-403-0832

882 North County Road 200 West, Rockport, Indiana