Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 00:41:48 -0500 From: CasaCristo@aol.com Subject: THAT CHURCH Casa de Cristo Evangelical Church 1029 E. Turney Phoenix, Arizona USA 85014 602-265-2831 If you live in Phoenix, AZ, you have probably heard about "That Church." "That Church" is different in the way they worship, what they believe about gays, and what they teach. "That Church" is located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, and it's name is CASA DE CRISTO EVANGELICAL CHURCH. It is unique in a number of ways. In fact, it is different in some respects from every other church in the Phoenix metro area; both gay-friendly and homophobic churches. For simplicity, let us refer to "That Church" as "CDC". WHAT KIND OF A CHURCH IS CDC? CDC is a non-denominational evangelical church with a special outreach to the gay and lesbian community. WHAT DOES NON-DENOMINATIONAL MEAN? It means that CDC is not a member of any particular denomination. THEN IS CDC ANTI-DENOMINATIONAL? No, CDC seeks to avoid a sectarian spirit that is often associated with denominationalism. ISN'T CDC A PART OF MCC? No, CDC was at one time a part of MCC but withdrew from that denomination to become an indipendent church. CDC takes a more biblical approach than often taken by MCC. HOW LONG HAS CDC BEEN AROUND? CDC was established in 1970, making it the oldest outreach in the Phoenix gay and lesbian community. WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT CDC? It is an evangelical church raised up by God to minister to and be in the gay and lesbian community. It is a biblical church. THEN IS CDC A GAY CHURCH? No! CDC is a church where EVERYONE is welcome. It is, however, made up predominately of gay men and lesbians. ARE NON-GAYS REALLY WELCOME IN CDC? Yes! In fact, a number of non-gays are members of Casa de Cristo including bisexuals, members of the trans-gender community, and others. CAN HOMOSEXUALS BE CHRISTIANS? Why not?? To be a Christian simply means that the individual has personally accepted Jesus Christ into his/her life as Savior and Lord. According to Scripture, when one is "in" Christ, that one has eternal life. Romans 8:1 declares, "...there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." BUT DOESN'T THE BIBLE CONDEMN HOMOSEXUALITY? Where? The Bible speaks out against certain aspects of homosexual behavior even as it speaks to certain aspects of heterosexual behavior. The Bible NOWHERE condemns homosexuals as a people. CDC maintains a literature ministry that provides educational material dealing with this subject. ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ATTEND CDC "BIBLE THUMPERS?" We've been accused of this by some who do not really know us. The men and women who attend CDC are from all walks of life. We are a diverse group of people in many respects. The one common cord that binds us together is Jesus Christ. We believe that He is who He claimed to be, i.e., only Savior and Lord. WHY IS CDC AN EVANGELICAL CHURCH? We are evangelical because we believe in the "evangel." The evangel is another way of saying "gospel." The evangel is the Good New of Salvation in and through Jesus Christ. This salvation is for ALL people alike: gay and non-gay. See John 3:16. AND WHAT IS THIS GOOD NEWS? The Good News is that Jesus Christ died for our sin, that He was buried, that He rose bodily from the dead thus conquering sin's penalty, that He ascended back into heaven, and that one day He will return for those who belong to Him. ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ATTEND CDC BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS? Everyone who is a genuine Christian has been born again. Don't let the expression "born again" scare you away. To be born again simply means that one has personally received Jesus Christ into his/her heart and life as Savior and Lord. WHAT DOES CDC BELIEVE ABOUT THE BIBLE? CDC accepts the Bible as the divinely inspired written Word of God. HOW DOES CDC VIEW JESUS? Jesus was and is the Messiah, the Christ. He is fully God and, while on Earth, was fully human. CDC emphasizes its belief in the deity of Jesus Christ. He is not just another prophet, guru, or great religious leader...He is God! WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CDC? Lots! CDC is active. It has services each Sunday at 10:00 am and at 6:30 pm. There is also a Midweek service at 6:30 pm on Wednesdays. CDC offers various social activities and outreach ministries. IS CDC A MEN'S OR A WOMEN'S CHURCH? It is neither! Both men and women are welcome at CDC. There is a blending of BOTH men and women attending the services and involved in the leadership of CDC. ARE MINORITY GROUPS WELCOME AT CDC? Of course, for we are all a minority of sorts. CDC is open to everyone regardless of age, class, color, gender, ethnic background, economic or educational status, or sexual orientation. WHAT OUTREACHES DOES CDC OFFER? CDC is home base for: 1. THE CHRISTIAN GAY & LESBIAN COUNSELING CENTER. Presently, there are two professional counselors on staff; a male and a female counselor. The Counseling Center is open to everyone. Appointments may be made by calling 602-279-9632. 2. PHOENIX EVANGELICAL BIBLE INSTITUTE (PHEBI). This is a full-time resident and correspondence school equipping Christians. 3. CRISTO AIDS MINISTRY (CAM). CAM offers a free Sunday brunch each week at 1:00 pm to people living with AIDS (PLWA's). It also maintains the AIDS Memorial Garden. 4. TGIF COFFEE HOUSE. This social function is held each 3rd Friday of the month at 7:00 pm. 5. RELATIONSHIP ENRICHMENT. This dinner/seminar/workshop is held each 1st Friday of the month especially for those in relationships. 6. HOMOSEXUALITY & CHRISTIANS. This seminar is held each 1st Saturday of the month and deals with this all important subject. It is sponsored by PHEBI. 7. CRISTO PRESS. This is a WORLDWIDE literature ministry based in CDC. It features materials relating to combating homophobia. Please write or call for this FREE literature. 8. THAT CHURCH VIDEO MINISTRY. This is a new television ministry. 9. T-E-N NETWORK. T-E-N is a network of churches and ministries that has become international. T-E-N was birthed by CDC and is headquartered in Phoenix with CDC's Pastor Fred L. Pattison serving as the presiding Presbyter. WILL I BE WELCOME AT CDC? Come and see for yourself. Write for literature. "BUT I'VE HEARD THAT......." Don't believe everything you hear - that's unfair. Check it out for yourself! WHAT KIND OF SERVICES WILL I FIND AT CDC? Our services may be somewhat different from those you are accustomed to. They are "charismatic" in flavor, filled with joyful singing, praise, and more demonstrative than the more traditional churches. WE ENJOY our faith in Christ! WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO THE SERVICES? We have no dress code. It is the Lord's house and each one should dress accordingly. WHY DO WE REFER TO CDC AS "THAT CHURCH"? Because that's how many people refer to us. Those of us who are involved in CDC are unashamed of the fact that we are part of THAT CHURCH! We are an exciting fellowship of believers. We are a church that stands for something rather than standing for "nothing" as some are guilty of doing. We stand for Jesus Christ: Savior, Lord, and Coming King. Why not give us a try? Please write for literature no matter where you may be on this planet. We are reaching out especially to those gays and lesbians who have been told they cannot be Christians because they are homosexuals. We can explain why that is biblically false. God Bless You. Pastor Fred L. Pattison "That Church" Casa de Cristo Evangelical Church 1029 E. Turney Phoenix, Arizona, USA 85014 Voice 1-602-265-2831 FAX 1-602-265-2918 Copyright 1995 by Cristo Press All Rights Reserved --