Our Mission

To be disciples of Christ, a welcoming community of faith that seeks to grow in God’s love through fellowship and service.

Core Values

Inclusive

• Living our motto: “Come as you are.”


• Being receptive to lessons from other faiths, non-creedal.


• Inviting all to our open-table Communion.


• Communicating inclusiveness in our outreach and demonstrating hospitality.

Social Justice

• Helping all persons to be treated fairly and with respect and dignity.


• Fighting racism, ageism, sexism and differences based on religious identity.


• Improving equality among people within our community.


• Partnering with other organizations to promote personal and social development.

Spiritual Renewal

• Working to build an affirming, joyful and caring environment.


• Providing a safe and compassionate support community.


• Respecting each person for their unique gifts and talents.


• Supporting others in their need for healing in a fragmented world.

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The Story Of Chapel Hill Christian Church

We began as a church in a box, literally.  The church planted itself with the help of Reverends Mike Byerley, Rebecca McCulloh and Mike Shannon. Our first worship service was held at the Chapel Hill Carrboro YMCA on February 3, 2003.  The “church” was loaded into an ancient SUV given to us by a church member and parked at the YMCA.  Each Sunday, we schlepped our belongings into the Y and after worship we schlepped them back into the SUV. 

Mike Byerley left the church after a few years and we continued to worship at the YMCA until 2009 when we moved to our current location at the Carrboro Civic Club on Bim Street adjacent to the Carrboro Town Hall and Carrboro Fire Department.  At times, we have pondered what it would be like to have our own building, but primarily we rejoice and celebrate the reality of being a different kind of church!

Mike Shannon left us in 2011 to focus solely on his work as a hospice chaplain and grief counselor.  Rebecca McCulloh continued to serve the church tremendously for the next five years.  Tragically, Rebecca died in July of 2016 after battling the return of breast cancer.  Rebecca’s impact and ministry both in the church and within the community in her role as a mental health counselor was vast.  Her legacy lives on in our commitment to manifesting our faith through social justice, compassion and outreach.

Reverend Nancy Jenkins served us for the next two years as we mourned and discerned who we were becoming and what direction our church was taking.  Nancy made it possible for us to heal and find our way.

In June of 2018, after having retired from working with hospice, Mike Shannon returned to serve as our pastor.  He has served churches in Georgia, Kentucky, Wisconsin and here in North Carolina.   Mike has both an M. Div from Emory University and an M.F.A. in Theatre from UNC at Chapel Hill.  He and his wife, Martha, live in Carrboro.  They have two grown sons, Patrick and Ian. 

Our congregation is diverse in age, ethnicity, ability and sexual preference/identity.  We are open, affirming and welcoming of all people.  Join us for worship, fellowship and service!

We have two slogans:

1. Come As You Are
2. Being A Christian Can Be Hard Work – Coming To Church Shouldn’t Be