A Church That Calls Itself 'Simply Christians'
Cason Lane Church sits on a quiet stretch of Cason Lane in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, not far from Middle Tennessee State University. The congregation that meets there identifies itself in plain terms: "We are simply Christians." They are not part of any denomination, they say, and they are not a social club. They describe themselves as a group of flawed people saved by Jesus Christ, trying to be nothing more and nothing less than Christians, leaning on each other as they work to spread the gospel in their community and around the world.
The doors of the building at 1110 Cason Lane open on Sunday mornings and again midweek for a Bible study the whole family can attend. Members offer to pray for anyone who asks, and a member-concierge program connects first-time visitors with someone who can answer questions before they arrive.
From University Heights to Cason Lane
The congregation has roots that go back to the early 1960s. In 1963, several members of the Westvue Church of Christ gathered to discuss planting a new work near what was then Middle Tennessee State College. They purchased land and a house at 1412 East Main Street, and on September 27, 1964, twenty-three interested individuals met at Westvue to organize. The new congregation took the name University Heights church of Christ.
The first Sunday service was October 4, 1964, with thirty-four present that morning and thirty-seven in the evening. The first men called upon to preach were David Arnold, Paul Hutcheson, Harris Dark, and Dave Bradford. The house on East Main served as the meeting place for several years, and its location near the college brought many students through the doors.
By the late 1960s the congregation had outgrown the house and built a new auditorium on the East Main property. By the late 1990s, growth had pushed the church to look for a larger home. Land was purchased across Interstate 24 on Cason Lane in a fast-developing part of Murfreesboro, and a new auditorium was finished in 2000. A permanent classroom facility was added in 2009 after the main building was paid off at the end of 2008. The old East Main property today houses the M.T.S.U. Police Department.
Three Gatherings a Week Around the Bible
The rhythm of the week at Cason Lane centers on three meetings. On Sunday at 9:00 AM the building fills with Bible classes for every age, from the youngest children through adults, with multiple adult classes usually available. An hour later, at 10:00 AM, the whole church comes together for the worship service, which includes singing songs of praise, prayers, and an applicable lesson taught from God's word.
Midweek, the doors open again on Wednesday at 7:00 PM for an uplifting period of God-centered Bible study for all ages. Members describe the Wednesday gathering as a wonderful way to encourage one another and grow closer to God together.
Recent sermons and classes are available to watch online, and a full archive of lessons stretches back more than fifteen years. Services are shared on a YouTube channel, and a podcast carries the same audio for listeners on the go. Members can also log in to an online member area for church communications.
Salvation Through Christ, Step by Step
The teaching at Cason Lane Church is built entirely on the Bible, which the congregation calls its only guide for faith and practice. Its statement of belief outlines a back-and-forth between what God has done and what people are called to do in response. On God's side: the great love shown in John 3:16, the giving of Christ as Savior, the revelation of His will through the Gospel, the Gospel itself as the power unto salvation, and the atonement made by Christ's blood.
On the human side, the congregation lays out six steps drawn directly from Scripture: hear the Gospel (Romans 10:17), believe it (Hebrews 11:6), repent (Luke 13:3), confess faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32), be baptized (Galatians 3:27), and remain faithful unto the end (Revelation 2:10).
The phrase that recurs through their own materials is "simply Christians." Members are happy to explain what that means to anyone who asks, and the visitor page on their site invites newcomers to come and see.
Bible Classes for Every Age
Children have a real place in the life of Cason Lane. The Sunday 9:00 AM and Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible study times both include classes for all ages, and the children's wing grew when a new classroom facility was completed in 2009. The church has also produced an extensive library of children's materials over the years, including a space-themed online Vacation Bible School recorded for kindergarten through fifth grade, a collection of favorite VBS songs recorded by members, and a set of online classes for young children recorded during the COVID lockdown so families could keep learning at home.
Visitors with children can plan their visit through the church's Connect with a Member page and find a class ready for their kids when they walk in.
Shepherds, an Evangelist, and a Cheerful Giver
Leadership at Cason Lane follows the New Testament pattern of plural shepherds. Four men currently serve as elders, a role the church describes as men who have been members for many years and have proven to understand God's will through Scripture. Everything done at the church is described as scripture-driven, and the elders are responsible to God for the decisions they make.
The four elders are Doug Smith, Steve May, Scott Davenport, and Tim McDonald. The church's preaching minister, whom they call their evangelist, is Shawn Jeffries. His recent sermons and Bible classes are posted online for anyone who wants to follow along during the week.
Giving is presented as an act of worship rooted in 2 Corinthians 9:7. Members contribute in person each Sunday, and online giving is available through the Kindrid platform for those who prefer to give digitally or by texting a keyword to a giving number.
The church's own archives, kept online, document the work going back to its earliest days, and a friendly note on the history page still rings true: "The future looks very bright here at Cason Lane."