sunday morning field guide and the inside scoop on who we are and what we do

IF YOU'RE A FIRST TIME GUEST, HERE ARE A FEW HELPFUL THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

ADDRESS

1095 State Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318


SERVICE TIME

10:30 AM (see below)


PARKING

We have guest parking in our lot, and also along State Street, Hunerkopf, and Atlantic. For those with limited mobility, parking is available in front of the main entrance on State Street.


COFFEE, TEA & DONUTS

Yep, we have those, too! Follow the signs to our Cafe and help yourself.


IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN

Our check-in station for those with children (nursery through elementary) is on the lower level, which can be accessed from the parking lot entrance (if you enter upstairs, there are signs to help you get there). Our team will help you and your kids get settled in nicely. If your child is uneasy about going into a class with others, fear not! They are welcome to sit with you in the service. We also offer accommodations for children with special needs, and if this is something you would need, simply let Lindsey Self know beforehand using the special needs notification link below, and we'll be ready!


STUDENTS

We have two groups for students that also meet on Sunday mornings: "The Bridge" is for those in grades 5-6, and our Middle & High School (grades 7-12) both meet in the classroom suite on the upper level of the building. One of our Host Team volunteers will help you get there.


SPECIAL NEEDS NOTIFICATION


SUNDAY ZOOM

parish life

Below are brief descriptions of each of our ministry environments. You can always check the "Events" page on the website for updates on coming events, classes, service projects, etc.

  • Sunday services include music, scripture readings, a sermon, weekly communion, and prayer. Our gatherings are structured around the Church Calendar (Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, etc.), and our preaching is informed by the Revised Common Lectionary. We design our services to be uplifting, and our sermons are written to be an encouraging message in a world of distress, uncertainty, and anxiety.  We also laugh a lot, too. Our hope for you is that you leave our services reminded of God's grace and mercy over your life. We also host four Evensong services during the year. These nights of worship happen on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM (quarterly) and include music, guided reflection, and communion.


    2026 LITURGICAL CALENDAR PDF

  • These are neighborhood-based groups that meet regularly in homes for fellowship, study, prayer, and, of course, a meal. Parish Groups are designed to be places where people are cared for, and where faith and friendship can grow. Groups meet from September through May. Contact Ryan Snider for details on all our groups and to get connected to one near you.


    Ryan Snider

    ryan@atlantachristianchurch.org

  • We offer a number of short-term learning opportunities during the year that cover things like books of the Bible, theology, spiritual practices, and faith formation. These are most often offered on Sunday mornings before service at 9:30 AM and they include coffee, a light breakfast, and childcare. We also host learning and discussion events during the week a few times year, and these normally are dinner gatherings with a guest lecturer. (Check the website "Events" page for a current menu of learning events.)

  • You'll find a lot of get-togethers around here, like old school potlucks, coffee hours, fall and spring festivals, lunches after church, karaoke nights, day hikes, and more.

  • For those in college through their 30s, we offer events that are great for connecting with others, like Sunday morning learning forums, service projects, and parties.

  • If you have kids, we offer a full range of Sunday morning classes and groups for those nursery through elementary, plus groups for those in grades 5-6 (called "The Bridge"), and for those in grades 7-12. We use SparkHouse materials, which follows the Church Calendar and lessons are based on the Revised Common Lectionary readings for each Sunday of the season. Questions? Email Lindsey Self below.


    Lindsey Self

    lindsey@atlantachristianchurch.org

  • From our food pantry to our partnership with a local homeless mission to regular service days in the city, there are always opportunities to get involved in works of justice and renewal. For questions about getting involved in service, contact Derek Sweatman. 


    Derek Sweatman

    derek@atlantachristianchurch.org

faith & hope

Our faith is best expressed through the creeds of the ancient church.


NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made,  of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.


THE APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.


CHURCH AFFILIATION

Our roots are in the Christian Church / Churches of Christ tradition of the Stone-Campbell movement that began during the Second Great Awakening (1790-1840) in America. At the heart of the movement was the hope to find unity among all Christians regardless of denomination, and to live out a simple expression of the way of Jesus with love and mercy for all people. You will find the shadings of all the great church traditions here.


STONE-CAMPBELL RESOURCES

statement of inclusion

Atlanta Christian Church is an open and affirming parish where all are invited to participate fully in the life and leadership of this congregation. We acknowledge and affirm the image of God in persons of every race, age, ability, class, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation and identity. These are all represented in our parish, our volunteer community, our lay leadership, and our paid staff. Just in case you're still wondering, some answers to a few questions we frequently hear:


Can women be involved in every area of leadership here?

Yes. We have women at every level of leadership, from volunteers to teachers to our elder board and to our pastoral (paid) staff.


Are people from the LGBTQ+ community permitted to lead and/or work here?

Yes. LGBTQ+ peoples are represented in all areas of our church and its leadership, including the paid staff.


Are same-sex weddings permitted and performed? 

Yes.


RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Staff & Leadership

Atlanta Christian Church has two full-time pastors, one part-time pastor, and a part-time administrative assistant. Alongside the pastoral staff, our church is overseen by a board of volunteers known as elders. They are: Garrett & Elizabeth Simmer; Suzanne Nadell; Kyle Marshall; Marla Smith; and Terna Ityokumbul.

  • Derek Sweatman, Lead Pastor

    circleemail   Email


    Derek has been the pastor of Atlanta Christian Church since 2007. Before that, he served as a youth pastor for 15 years in churches in Kentucky and Georgia. He holds Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and a Master of Arts in New Testament Studies and Research from Johnson University (Knoxville, TN), and was an adjunct in the Biblical Studies Department at Point University for 7 years. 

  • Lindsey Self, Associate Pastor

    circleemail  Email


    Lindsey has been on staff here since 2011 and has served as the Associate Pastor of Youth & Family since 2016. She was born in Nashville, TN and was raised in Roswell, GA. She holds a degree in Psychology from Georgia State University and taught special needs children in the public school system before joining the staff here at Atlanta Christian Church.

  • Ryan Snider, Community & Spiritual Formation

    circleemail  Email


    Ryan Snider joined the staff at Atlanta Christian Church in 2025. Previously, he was a pastor in the United Methodist Church for eight years in Western North Carolina and later served as a college chaplain for three years. In recent years, Ryan has continued to support young adults through initiatives in higher education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy from LaGrange College, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

  • Laura Kerby, Ministry Assistant

    circleemail  Email


    Laura Kerby has been part of the ACC community with her family since 2015 and joined the staff in January 2025 as Ministry Assistant. Originally from Illinois, she has called Atlanta home since moving here in 2013. A former high school teacher with a Masters degree in Educational Leadership & Community Development, Laura now gets her teaching fix by leading outdoor education adventures for learners of all ages at a local nature center.