WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU VISIT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

Perhaps you have heard of the church of Christ through advertisement or by special invitation from its members. Maybe there is a building in your community where the church of Christ meets and you have considered attending one of their worship services. But you haven’t because of the dread of going to a strange place. May we briefly introduce ourselves and let you know what to expect when you visit us.

FRIENDLINESS

You can expect a warm and friendly welcome! Friendliness is a natural response of a Christian. We believe that one of the basic foundation principles of Christianity is love and friendship toward our fellowman. (Mt 22:36-40) True Christianity recognizes no sex, social or racial differences. (Gal 3:28) Neither does it permit respect of persons on the basis of poverty or wealth. (Jas 2:1-9) Jesus is our perfect example in friendliness, in that He was compassionate toward all humanity, regardless of their life status. You will find that same spirit among true Christians today. When you visit us you will be an honored guest, greeted with kindness and courtesy. Please give us the opportunity to become your friend. (Prov 18:24)

ORDER

You can expect our service to be with reverence and order. We strive to engage in all worship service with decency and order. (1 Cor 14:40)

SIMPLICITY

You can expect our worship to be simple. It’s simple because it is based entirely on the worship authorized in the New Testament. Jesus taught that our worship was to be spiritual and according to truth. (Jn 4:24)

SINGING

You can also expect congregational singing. Singing is a vital part of our worship. All members of our congregation will blend their voices together in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. The purpose of our songs is to praise God, to teach and admonish one another through our singing. (Eph 5:19 & Col 3:16)

GIVING

You can expect us to give a free-will offering. We do not tithe because it is not a New Testament command. As the Bible teaches, we give liberally as God has prospered us, on the first day of the week. (1 Cor 16:1-2) Our liberality is an evidence of our devotion to God. (2 Cor 8:1-8) There are many factors that determine the amount of our offerings, but above all they must be free-will offerings. (2 Cor 9:6-7) We will not embarrass you by personally asking for an offering.

PRAYER

You can expect our public prayers to be led by men. (1 Tim 2:8-13) Prayer is a fundamental source of strength in a Christian’s life. We pray often, both publicly and privately. Prayers are offered frequently in our worship by Christian brothers. In keeping an orderly fashion, everyone does not pray their own prayer out loud. This allows us to worship reverently and orderly.

THE LORD’S SUPPER

You can expect us to partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week. (Sunday) Jesus instituted this supper as a memorial of His death on the cross. (Mt 26:26-29 & 1 Cor 11:23-26) As we partake of the unleavened bread and fruit of the vine, our minds are to be centered on the Christ’s sacrifice for us.

In this act we have communion with Him. (1 Cor 10:16) It was the practice of the early church to partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week. (Acts 20:7) We each examine ourselves that we partake in a worthy manner. (1 Cor 11:27-29) We do hasten to point out that there can be no communion or fellowship with Christ unless we are faithful children of God. (1 Jn 1:5-7 / Gal 3:26-27)

TEACHING

You can expect Christ-centered Bible teaching in our classrooms and pulpits. We believe the Bible to be an inspired and authoritative book. (2 Tim 3:16-17) We believe that if a man speaks it should be from the Word of God. (1 Pet 4:11) The sermons you will hear are supported by the Bible! Check what is preached by searching the scriptures. (Acts 17:11 & Jn 5:39)

AN INVITATION

At the close of each sermon you can expect an invitation to become a Christian. Of course this invitation is always open, but it is openly reminded to everyone at this time. You will be given an opportunity to express your faith in Jesus Christ before men and being buried with the Lord in baptism as exemplified within the Bible. (Jn 8:24, Lk 13:3, Mt 10:32, Mk 16:16, Acts 2:38 & Gal 3:26-27) We will not embarrass you by approaching you personally. Anyone can obey at any time, not just during a worship service. (Acts 16:30-33)

Now you know what to expect when you visit the churches of Christ, why not accept our special invitation to visit us.