Country Club Christian Church sits at 6101 Ward Parkway, in the heart of Kansas City's historic Country Club District. Founded in 1920 and named for its geography rather than for any social register, the congregation has spent a century gathering people into a sanctuary on the corner of 61st and Ward, where three Sunday services, an open communion table, and an unusually broad program of music, study, service, scouting, preschool, weddings, and memorials share one limestone building. Today the church is known across Kansas City as an open and affirming congregation within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a self-governing body with a self-described progressive message wrapped in a traditional setting.
A Century on Ward Parkway
Country Club Christian Church was established in 1920 and named for its neighborhood rather than any sense of exclusivity. Its founding minister was George Hamilton Combs, the figure the church now honors through The Combs Legacy, an estate-planning society that sustains the congregation's mission beyond individual lifetimes. Over more than a hundred years the church has grown from a neighborhood start-up into a regional congregation serving members and friends in the Kansas City metro and well beyond, broadcasting Sunday services on YouTube and Facebook, hosting recovery meetings seven days a week, and partnering with organizations that span Northeast Kansas City, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico.
The church approaches its centennial and beyond through The Next 100, a capital campaign and construction project that broke ground on March 26, 2023 and reached completion in April 2024. The improvements added a clearly marked east-side Welcome Center, refurbished the Social Hall with a new coffee bar, ceiling, lighting, and seating for about 200, expanded the children's wing with two new preschool classrooms, and installed fresh-air HVAC and modern security systems throughout. A new keycard-access stair tower and video doorbells protect the children served by the on-site Preschool and Parent's Day Out program. Outside, Centennial Park provides a calming space for recreation, reflection, and fellowship with the wider community.
Three Sunday Mornings, One Sermon
Worship is the church's center of gravity. Three Sunday services - at 9:01, 10:00, and 11:00 a.m. - share the same sermon but speak in different styles. The 9:01 service in the Sanctuary, with summer worship held on the lawn, is the casual and family-friendly gathering. A "Moment for Children" invites kids to the front before they head to age-appropriate activities, and the music is lively and engaging. The 10:00 service in the Combs Chapel is quiet and intimate, a contemplative hour anchored by soloists, ensembles, and instrumentalists; Sunday School for all ages meets during this hour. The 11:00 service in the Sanctuary is the traditional hour, with hymns, the Chancel Choir, the pipe organ, and guest musicians framing a progressive message.
Communion is celebrated at every service, and all are welcome to participate at the open table. Child care is provided during all three services. Parking is available in the lot behind the Combs Chapel anytime and on Ward Parkway from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Visitors can also watch from anywhere: the 9:01 and 11:00 services are broadcast live each Sunday and remain available on demand for one week through the church's YouTube channel and Facebook page, with deeper archives of sermons, classes, and special events.
Each Sunday's preaching focuses on the unconditional grace and love of God available to all people, and the hope and peace demonstrated in the message and life of Jesus Christ. The ministers bring different perspectives to the pulpit, but the central message stays the same: take seriously Jesus' call to love and serve the neighbor, and take seriously Jesus' charge to seek peace and justice for all people.
An Open and Affirming Table
Ratified by the Congregational Board, the church's Open and Affirming Statement places its welcome at the heart of its identity. "Country Club Christian Church is an open and affirming community of faith. As represented by the open communion table at our heart, we receive and are called to share the unconditional love of God as revealed by Jesus Christ. We love, welcome, and affirm all people to worship, serve, and lead in our congregation regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, family configuration, economic circumstances, or theological perspective, as God has welcomed us."
That welcome shapes everything from weddings (the church joyfully welcomes all couples formalizing their commitment, regardless of sexual orientation) to study groups (the online learning archive hosts multiple video series on queer biblical interpretation, including "Wielding a Double Edged Sword: Queer Biblical Interpretation" and an "Awareness, Advocacy, Action" conversation with state Senator Greg Razer). The church is a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination and distinguishes itself by what staff describe as a long history of theological openness, a welcoming and inclusive community, strong outreach, prioritized study and learning, and a traditional setting that delivers a modern message.
The Last Supper, the Columbarium, and the Building Itself
Visitors walking the corridors of Country Club Christian Church encounter several distinct landmarks. Most striking is Domenic Zappia's 17-foot sculpture of The Last Supper, finished in 1962 and on permanent display in the church. Each of the 13 life-size figures weighs around 200 pounds and was carved from 500-pound blocks of laminated basswood custom-fabricated by an Arkansas mill. Where Leonardo da Vinci famously left Christ's face unfinished, Zappia completed his. After three decades on loan to other Kansas City institutions, the sculpture was rededicated in its permanent home at the church in September 2000. Visitors are welcome during weekday business hours and Sunday mornings; groups of twelve or more can schedule a guided tour.
Behind the Sanctuary, on the west side of the chapel, sits the Columbarium and Rose Garden - two settings designed for prayer and remembrance. Inurnment is limited to persons with a relationship to Country Club Christian Church, and memorial bricks in the Rose Garden offer another way for families to honor loved ones. The Reception, Parlor, and a large Social Hall serve weddings, funerals, fellowship events, and meetings, while the church continues to host Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon meetings every day of the week.
Ministers and Staff
Rev. Carla Aday was called as the church's eighth Senior Minister in April 2017 after more than two decades of service in the same building, having joined the staff in 1988 as its first female minister. She holds a Master of Divinity from Yale, where she received the Mersick Prize for effective public address and preaching. She has led twenty mission trips and previously chaired the Administrative Committee and General Board for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and moderated the Greater Kansas City Region of the denomination.
Rev. Bryce Bowers joined as Executive Minister on January 15, 2023. He holds a Master of Divinity from Emory University and a Bachelor of Science in Communication with an emphasis on conflict management from Baker University, and his ministry emphasizes creative engagement, from farmer's market presence to hiking groups and family events.
Rev. Ashley Cheung was called in August 2024 as Minister of Congregational Care, arriving from a Planned Giving Specialist role at Church of the Resurrection Foundation. A graduate of Saint Paul School of Theology (MDiv with honors) and Wichita State University (BBA, summa cum laude), she has served as a Youth Pastor, Chaplain Resident, and Director of Connectional Ministries.
Rev. Katie Smith Mussat was called in July 2024 as Minister to Families, Youth and Children. She holds a BA from Friends University, an MDiv from Baylor's Truett Theological Seminary, a certificate in Youth Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary, and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. Her passion is intergenerational ministry.
Rev. Dr. Mike Graves serves as Scholar in Residence after three decades on the faculty of Saint Paul School of Theology, where he taught preaching and worship until his retirement in 2018. The author of works including Craddock Stories and Table Talk: Rethinking Communion and Community, he remains active in the Society of Biblical Literature and preaches regularly at Country Club Christian.
The ministry team is rounded out by Matthew Thompson as Director of Music and Media, Sara and Alex Goering as Associate Directors of Music, Amanda Judd-Shepherd as Director of Children's Ministries, Noah Krogmann as Youth Director, Corey Scott as Director of Church Life, Jennifer Dye as Director of Early Childhood Programs, Rachel Clement as Director of Finance, Dan Warneke as Director of Production, Shannon Gammon as Director of Communications, and Jim Phillips as Director of Facilities.
Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
Children are an involved and integral part of the congregation. The Children and Family Ministry offers year-round experiences and special celebrations, weekly Sunday School classes across all three morning hours, and faith-enriched childcare during every Sunday service. Kids Music, led by Sara Goering and Amanda Judd-Shepherd, gathers children preK through 5th grade during the 9:01 service several Sundays a month. A monthly Babies and Breakfast playdate provides community for families with infants through PreK.
On Wednesday evenings, Kids Midweek runs rotation stations in games, missions, science, spiritual practices, storytelling and drama, and music, with special guests each week and an optional family meal beforehand at a small per-person charge. Youth Vespers gathers 6th through 8th graders in the Youth Center to pause, pray, and play, while high schoolers lead or attend Vespers or help with the rotation stations.
Youth Ministry serves grades 6 through 12 with Sunday School discussion, Sunday night youth groups, socials, and summer learning trips. A Pastors Class for 6th graders begins in the spring and ends with baptism and joining the church on Palm Sunday. Senior Minister Carla Aday has often written about the importance of this work, citing studies from Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and Baylor showing that young people in church communities become happier adults, stay more faithful, face less risky behavior, and gain vital moral support.
Preschool and Parent's Day Out
Country Club Christian Church Preschool and Parent's Day Out is a licensed Christian-based program that serves children from six weeks through Pre-K, meeting Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Three age-based tracks - Parent's Day Out for 6 weeks to 2.5 year olds, Preschool for 3 to 4 year olds, and Pre-Kindergarten for 4 to 5 year olds - draw on the HighScope curriculum and a constructivist approach that emphasizes play-based exploration, warm relationships, and hands-on experiences. The program is accredited with MOA and licensed by the State of Missouri.
Families may enroll for the number of days that best fits their schedule. Preschool meets Tuesday through Thursday, Pre-K runs Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Thursday, with an optional extended program, a Preschool Camp on Mondays and Fridays, and a Transition Class for children who need a five-day week. Partnerships with Soccer Shots, The Pulse Performing Arts Center, What If Puppets!, and The Family Conservancy extend the day's enrichment without leaving the building. The Next 100 capital campaign expanded the children's wing with two new classrooms, and the wing serves around 111 children with three playgrounds and a resource room that supports the 25-person staff.
Music Ministry
Music shapes worship at every hour of the morning. The Chancel Choir, pipe organ, musical guests, soloists, ensembles, and instrumentalists all rotate through services, while the music staff - led by Director of Music and Media Dr. Matthew Thompson and Associate Directors Sara and Alex Goering - rehearses regularly and participates in the church's wider life. A YouTube music playlist preserves performances ranging from choral arrangements and congregational hymns to flute-and-piano duets, saxophone repertoire, and benefit concerts.
The Zappia Performing Arts Center is mentioned in the music ministry listings as a space for special performances, and the church hosts the ZuZu's Petals Benefit Concert in its spaces. The music ministry emphasizes both the joy of music in worship and the call to share musical gifts with the wider community. Adults interested in joining the Chancel Choir, ensembles, or instrumental groups are invited to contact Dr. Thompson.
Adult Ministries, Small Groups, and Online Learning
Adult Ministries at Country Club Christian Church reflects a long history of theological openness and a commitment to study. KALOS - "Groups for Good" - is the church's umbrella program for Common Thread groups (educational), Service Corp Explorers (service), and Neighborhood Communion Groups (fellowship). A KALOS Interest Form connects newcomers with a staff member to find a group that fits. Adult offerings range from Bible study and book groups to support groups and intergenerational fellowship opportunities.
Online learning extends the congregation's reach well beyond Kansas City. The church's YouTube channel hosts five distinct playlists: Bible Study (covering the Four Gospels, Revelation, the Sermon on the Mount, and more); Christian Life and Culture (ranging from "Baptism and Communion" to "Is It Well With My Soul" on faith and mental health); Social Justice ("Reading for Anti-Racism," "Queer Christianity," and conversations on affordable housing in Kansas City); Guest Speakers (with Rabbi Michael Zedek, Rev. Dr. Jose Martinez, and Pulitzer-finalist David Brooks, among others); and Online Classes (including "Beyond Belief" and "Handed Lemons"). A Podcast feed offers weekly sermons through Apple Podcasts and other platforms for listening on the go.
Faith and Culture Series tackle current issues with theological depth - the autumn series on artificial intelligence, for example, paired community members working in AI industries with Rev. Bryce Bowers and Scholar in Residence Rev. Dr. Mike Graves to ask how people of faith should respond to A.I.'s rapid spread. Earlier serieses explored reading the Bible again for the first time, queer biblical interpretation, and the future of Christianity.
Scouting America Since 1923
Perhaps the oldest continuously running program at the church is Scouting, which began on the Ward Parkway campus in 1923. The congregation has supported Troop 1084 every year since then, with the Cub Scout program joining several years later. In 2018, when Scouting opened its programs to girls, the church added the name Scouting America and launched Cub Pack 4084 for boys and girls in kindergarten through 5th grade and Scout Troops 7084 for girls aged 11 through 17 alongside the longstanding Troop 1084. The units typically meet on Monday nights - Cub Scouts at 6:15 p.m. and the two Troops at 7:30 p.m. - with monthly campouts, frequent community service projects, age-appropriate summer camps, and high-adventure trips each year. The Scouting liaison, Rick Boeshaar, welcomes inquiries from any young person interested in joining a meeting.
Service in Kansas City and Beyond
Service is central to the congregation's identity. The Metro Mission Ministry coordinates local partnerships with Harvesters Community Food Network (through the Virginia Reed Food Drive and Souper Bowl Sunday), Bridging the Gap, KC Tenants, KC Care Clinic, KC Community Gardens, Literacy KC, Grace United Community Ministries, Neighborhoods of Hope, Harmony Project KC, AMANECER 2025, FEDICE, and CEPAD. The Collection Connection offers an "item of the month" drop-off program for items such as toothbrushes for Nicaragua, personal hygiene items for Christmas stockings, and yarn for the knitting ministry.
The Grants and Special Offerings Program funnels congregational giving out into the community, awarding grants of up to $10,000 to organizations that empower children to learn, eliminate hunger, and assist in moving people from poverty to self-sufficiency. The committee gives preference to programs that are Christian in nature, are connected to Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) ministries, and serve the Northeast Kansas City area.
Global mission partnerships have included adult trips to Ecuador with FEDICE, to Nicaragua with CEPAD, and to Puerto Rico with Disciples Home Missions, as well as to Tanzania for a 2027 Service Learning Trip. The mission trips stress relationships over projects: "Strangers become friends. The rich and poor work side by side. Faith becomes real and concrete. Hope grows wings. And those who offer help receive more than they were able to give." Members and friends of all skill levels are welcome, and there is no requirement of any particular skill because the ultimate aim is presence and transformation.
Habitat KC and the Next 100
In its centennial year, the congregation committed $500,000 to a multi-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City to support affordable homeownership in the Lykins neighborhood of Jackson County, Missouri. The partnership supports construction of new homes, down payment assistance, and repair work that helps existing homeowners stay in their homes, and it pairs financial giving with hundreds of hours of volunteer time. The relationship marked a deliberate outgrowth of The Next 100 campaign and was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on September 18, 2026.
Weddings and Marriage Preparation
Wedding ministry treats every ceremony as a sacred event - "a worship service in which two people pledge themselves to one another in the presence of God." The Sanctuary holds up to 900 guests and the Combs Chapel up to 100, including balconies. A single fee covers use of either space, an ordained minister from the church staff, an organist, an on-site wedding coordinator, candelabras, a one-hour rehearsal, a three-hour block on the wedding day, and pre-marital preparation. Outside clergy may assist with the ceremony after a required application, and outside wedding coordinators are welcome alongside the church-provided Wedding Facilitator. Weddings are open to all couples.
Music for the ceremony is led by the Director of Music and is performed on the church's organ by the church's staff organist or an approved assignee; pre-recorded music and electric or amplified instruments are not permitted. Outside vocalists and acoustic instrumentalists (brass, classical guitar, harp, string quartet) are welcome by prior arrangement. Detailed music guidelines, sample music recordings, and a downloadable music worksheet help couples plan. Childcare is available on the wedding day for an additional fee.
Funerals, Memorials, and Pastoral Care
From the first phone call to the conclusion of a memorial service, the church walks alongside grieving families. The minister checks the availability of worship space, reception space, parking, clergy, and musicians before confirming the date and time; the church prepares standard bulletins; and the music staff can advise on hymns from the Chalice Hymnal - including "Amazing Grace," "For All the Saints," "On Eagle's Wings," "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," and more - as well as guest musicians. Military honors can be supported at the graveside or cemetery, open-casket services can be arranged with a funeral home present, and the church can record or livestream a service for those who cannot attend.
The Congregational Care Ministry Team encompasses pastoral visits, prayer ministries, the flower ministry (which rearranges sanctuary flowers after Sunday services and delivers smaller bouquets to those who could use a smile), the knitting and sewing ministries (which produce hats, scarves, mittens, baby blankets, lap robes, and shoulder wraps for partner agencies and individuals), and the Faith and Grief Lunch (a brief presentation followed by facilitated table conversation and complimentary box lunch, scheduled several times a year). A Prayer Ministry meets the first Thursday of each month from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in Room 303, and a daily devotional line - 816-333-4920 - offers new recorded devotions on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
The Combs Legacy and Generosity
Named for founding minister George Hamilton Combs, The Combs Legacy invites members and friends to include the church in their estate planning through wills, life insurance policies, IRAs and other retirement accounts, charitable gift annuities (with a $2,500 minimum), and charitable remainder trusts (with $100,000 or more). Members of The Combs Legacy are recognized for their commitment to sustaining the church's ministries for future generations. Beyond planned giving, the church offers regular and recurring electronic giving, donations of stocks and bonds (handled through Cetera Investment Services), memorial flowers and livestream sponsorships, and an annual generosity campaign that funds local mission work, special-needs children's ministry, Habitat KC, and partners around the world.
An Ongoing Invitation
For more than a century, Country Club Christian Church has opened its doors at the corner of 61st and Ward to neighbors, newcomers, the curious, and the committed. The Come-As-You-Are welcome extends to all three Sunday services, the daily recovery meetings, the long-running Scouting troops, the busy preschool wing, the Sunday School classes across every age, the Wednesday Kids Midweek, the choral rehearsals, the small groups of KALOS, and the moments of prayer in the Columbarium and Rose Garden. Whether visitors come once or stay for a lifetime, the congregation's invitation is the same one it has offered since 1920: to be met where they are and walked alongside toward a more meaningful life.