WHAT IS IT?
A program consisting of 11 couples from Western Hills Church of Christ and University Avenue Church of Christ who are visiting the Greater Austin Area Disciples of Christ and Christian Church congregations. Each Sunday through August, a group of at least two (2) couples (on a rotation basis) from these two congregations will visit these sister congregations attending their morning Bible Studies, Worship Service, and luncheons. Thereafter, visitations will be conducted on a quarterly basis for a month at a time.

WHEN DID THIS BEGIN?
Sunday June 4, 2006 with 2 couples from Western Hills and two couples from University Avenue, who attended Central Christian Church

WHY A VISITATION PROGRAM?
    To tear down walls of estrangement that have been built up for years
    To get to know our brothers and sisters in Christ better and to understand their worship patterns
    To mitigate negative stereo-typing due to perceived extremes on both sides of the aisle
    To make the concept of Unity of Believers within the congregation a custom and not an option
    To encourage cooperation

    From Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address, the very “Constitution” of the Stone-Campbell Movement, Brother Campbell stated in 1809:  “We must begin to associate with each other and be less interested in our own party, or unity will never be achieved. The task of uniting the church cannot be done if we “run every man to his own house and consult only the interests of his own party. Until you associate, consult, and advise together, and in a friendly and Christian manner explore the subject, nothing can be done.”

WHAT DO WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH
Understanding, Cooperation, and Acceptance among those who share the same heritage.
To treat Jesus’s final prayer in John 17 seriously and not as an option
Reciprocal visits
More cooperative efforts including possible pulpit exchanges and cooperative Youth efforts.

We encourage your congregations to join us in this effort. Talk to me, B.J. Pierce, Mark Davies, Roger Carey, Terri Haecker, after the meeting about this program.