FAQs

Our Beliefs

These basic doctrines represent what NBCOC believes to be essential elements of biblical teaching. In all other things we practice freedom and kindness.

God is the Creator & Ruler of the universe.

He has eternally existed in three persons: Father, Son & Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal & are one God. 

(Genesis 1:1,26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Salvation is a gift from God to man.

Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. 

(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6 & 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)

Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life & offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin & death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory & will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings & Lord of Lords. 

(Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5 & 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)

Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity.

Salvation is maintained by the grace & power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace & keeping power of God that gives this security. 

(John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25 & 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father & the Son as God.

He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation to provide power for living, understanding of spiritual truth & guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily. 

(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13 & 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12 & 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18)

The Bible is God’s Word to all men.

It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs & living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. 

(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160 & 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)

Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character.

He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates man from God. 

(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)

Man was created to exist forever.

He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God, through forgiveness & salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven & Hell are places of eternal existence. 

(John 3:16; 1 John 2:25 & 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15)

We are a community dedicated to a MISSION framework for spiritual formation. Our goal is to move away from passive attendance toward active participation, where every member embraces their vocation as a minister of the Gospel.

Our Core: LIFE

We believe that eternal life is found in knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ. To achieve this, we focus on four areas of spiritual commitment, known as L.I.F.E.:

• L – Living for Jesus: Making Christ the center of our daily existence.

• I – Investing in others: Dedicating ourselves to the growth and development of those around us.

• F – Faith Building: Strengthening our foundation through the hearing of God's Word.

• E – Empowering others to serve: Equipping every member to find their place in ministry.

The New Braunfels Church of Christ greatly values its historical roots.

·          Baptism through immersion

·          Observing the Lord’s Supper weekly

·          Scripture (bible) as a foundation

·          Unity through the body of Christ

The Journey to the Summit

We use the analogy of a mountain climb to represent an individual member’s journey toward maturity in Christ. This journey consists of four stages:

Camp 1: Base Camp (Foundations)

This is where you begin your journey with our NB101 introductory class.

• Focus: Understanding who we are, our acapella heritage, and our membership expectations.

• Action: Identifying your spiritual gifts and finding your initial worship or ministry assignments.

Camp 2: Low Camp (Community & Ministry)

At this stage, we grow by "doing LIFE together".

• Focus: Joining a LIFE Group—small groups that meet in homes to cultivate deep, transformative relationships.

• Action: Getting involved in core ministries like Spark (Children), Ignite (Youth), Adulting 101 (College), or specialized groups like Sunny Seniors and Solo Sisters.

Camp 3: High Camp (Active Discipleship)

Here, spiritual formation happens through dedicated service and leadership.

• Focus: Training for specific ministry roles, such as small group leadership, practical ministry, or deacon/elder tracks.

• Action: Taking ownership of the church's missional vision through evangelism and investing in others.

Camp 4: The Summit (Transformation)

The Summit represents a life of total transformation and community engagement.

• Focus: Advanced theological and exegetical studies, including Biblical languages, Church history, and hermeneutics.

• Outcome: A healthy, vibrant culture where every member is plugged into a ministry, leading to a life defined by love, joy, and peace.

When most of us hear the word "membership," we immediately think of a gym, a streaming service, or a club. You pay your dues, you get your perks, and you consume the product.

But the church isn't a club. It’s a family.

That’s why, at New Braunfels Church of Christ, we prefer to talk about "placing covenant." A covenant is a mutual promise. We don't want you to just have your name on a roster. We want you to be a living, breathing, active part of this body. So, how do we know we are actively living out that covenant together? It comes down to three core commitments, our ABC’s.

ATTENDANCE -  We Gather on Sundays

There is something deeply grounding about simply showing up. Active covenant means being a consistent participant in our Sunday morning worship experience. This is where we center ourselves. When we gather in the room, when our voices blend together in worship, and when we sit under the teaching of the Word, we remind each other of who we are and whose we are. Prioritizing Sunday mornings is the baseline of our life together.

BELONG - We Share Life in Small Groups and Life Groups

Sunday mornings are essential, but you can’t truly build deep relationships just by sitting in rows once a week. You have to get into the messy, beautiful reality of everyday life. That’s why active membership means stepping into a Life Group or small group. This is where the real connection happens. It’s where we pray for one another, carry each other’s burdens, and grow side-by-side. We are a church that believes no one should walk alone, and our small groups are how we make sure that happens.

CONTRIBUTE - We Co-Labor in the Mission

A family pitches in. Being in covenant means taking ownership of the mission God has given NBCOC. We support that mission practically, through consistent, weekly financial giving. But it goes far beyond our wallets—it’s about our time and our talent. God has wired you with specific gifts and abilities. Whether you are leading a ministry, speaking, organizing, serving behind the scenes, or greeting at the door, active membership means rolling up your sleeves and using what you have to build up this church and serve our city.

Placing covenant isn't about checking boxes. It’s about being all-in. It is our promise to love, shepherd, and support you, and it is your promise to be a present, invested part of this church family.

Your Path to Base Camp

Step 1: The Foundations (NB101)

[ ] Enroll in NB101: Join our "Who We Are" class to learn about our history, our acapella heritage, and our mission to be a "city on a hill".

[ ] Review Membership Expectations: Understand the commitment we make to one another as a covenant community.

[ ] Complete a Spiritual Gifts Assessment: Discover how God has uniquely equipped you to serve the body.

[] Attend New Members Luncheon: Invite will be sent by office

Step 2: Connecting in Community

[ ] Visit a LIFE Group: Find a small group in your area (like Canyon Lake or the Martinez group) to build transformative relationships.

[ ] Attend a Fellowship Event: Join us for a Wednesday night meal, a men’s breakfast, or a "Sunny Seniors" gathering to meet the family.

[ ] Download the Shepherding Group Info: Identify which elder has been assigned to your group for prayer and spiritual support.

Step 3: Finding Your Ministry

[ ] Explore Core Ministries: Look into areas where you can plug in, such as Spark (Children), Ignite (Youth), or Adulting 101.

[ ] Accept a Ministry Assignment: Use your assessed gifts to take on a role in worship, community outreach, or internal service.

[ ] Sign Up for a Specialty Class: Deepen your roots by joining a class on basic Christianity, prayer, or spiritual disciplines.