For years, I've wanted to attend a non-institutional Church of Christ. I finally made the time. This was different from visiting other religious groups, I knew what to expect more than I knew how to behave. I wanted to ask honest questions without starting a debate. Even now, I'm not sure if I succeeded.
As I pulled into the building I noticed a sign saying just "CHURCH of CHRIST." Notably, it didn't say Glen Bernie Church of Christ. I walked into a small foyer that wasn't exactly meant for socialization. There was enough room for coat racks, entrances to restrooms and a few billboards, but it was clear that the building wasn't a social area. I didn't see classrooms or a fellowship hall while I was there. I don't think they have them, but I could be mistaken.
In the foyer, I noticed plenty of literature. Most of it was what I would have typically expected in a Church of Christ. There were pamphlets concerning the errors of other churches' doctrines. There were some about instruments, others about Mary. The literature generally carried this theme, "we're the right church because we believe the right things which we get only from the Bible."
The Churches of Christ distinguish themselves from other Christian denominations by claiming that they everything they do is sanctioned by the New Testament. They claim that this isn't true of other churches. Many of their members believe that the only way to be a true Christian is to organize their beliefs and practices around verses that come straight from the Bible.
They had pictures of their members - this is a common thing in the Churches of Christ. I couldn't tell you where the tradition comes from. They also had a missions board. There was a time when missions boards were common in Churches of Christ. I remember seeing them all the time as a child, but I hadn't seen one like this in years. The church supported more than 15 missionaries around the globe. They could afford to do this because their pulpit minister didn't take a salary, "he has enough money," one of their elders explained. Another member told me that they preferred not to pay their ministers. My guess is that both statements are true.
The service was like most Church of Christ services. They sang acapella (without instruments). The men led the service while the women sat quietly. In most Churches of Christ, women aren't even allowed to pay offering plates or communion trays. During the offering, they announced the visitors were not expected to donate. During communion, which the Churches of Christ share weekly, they read a lot of scripture. I'm not used to seeing this in mainstream Churches of Christ, but their message was similar to the one I'm used to, "Do this in Remembrance of me."
Throughout the service, I couldn't help but notice the diversity in the congregation. The congregation was about 1/3 black and the black members of the church led the service as much as the white members. I've never seen this in a Church of Christ; they are usually somewhat segregated owing mostly to history.
After a few more songs, there was a scripture reading. The whole congregation read together. This is the second time I've seen something like this in a congregation with a large number of black Christians. Is this a part of their tradition? Is this something one sees more frequently on this side of the country? Or is it an odd coincidence? I have no idea.
Eventually, one of the elders began to preach. His preaching style was different from anything I've ever seen. More than anything, he read scripture. He must have read 3 or more chapters of scripture total during his sermon, commenting on a particular topic here and there. He didn't jump around from one verse to another, which is what I'm used to seeing in Churches of Christ. Instead, he read large swaths from each section he chose. He was a good reader. The overhead projector helped the audience follow along.
The service ended like most Churches that grew up in the 1800s revivalist traditions do. There was a call for people who believed to be baptized. The elder didn't threaten hell, but warned of the possibility of hell for those who left the building without being baptized.
I didn't get to socialize the way I normally do after a service. I was in such a rush I forgot to get pictures. I talked with the elder who'd spoken for a few minutes, but it wasn't the sort of engagement I usually experience at a church. I couldn't tell you why. Was it me? Was it them? Was it the structure of the building itself. Architecture shapes the personality of a community.
One of the few things that really stuck out in the conversations that I did have was their pride in not having a pantry for the poor. This particular issue came up several times when I asked them what was special about their church. "We don't have a pantry." It was explained that Christians were supposed to do good in the world, but that the Church's job was simply to preach the Gospel. It's difficult for me to understand a theological position that allows for purchasing several projectors or flat screen TVs, but does not allow for a pantry for the poor. I'm also uncertain how allowing members to collaborate by donating to a pantry is a bad thing. I wouldn't even bother to mention it, but aside from being biblical based, it was the one thing that was mentioned to me at least three times during my few conversations. They were proud of their lack of a pantry. They were proud of the fact that, as a congregation, they are do not help the poor.
As I pulled into the building I noticed a sign saying just "CHURCH of CHRIST." Notably, it didn't say Glen Bernie Church of Christ. I walked into a small foyer that wasn't exactly meant for socialization. There was enough room for coat racks, entrances to restrooms and a few billboards, but it was clear that the building wasn't a social area. I didn't see classrooms or a fellowship hall while I was there. I don't think they have them, but I could be mistaken.
In the foyer, I noticed plenty of literature. Most of it was what I would have typically expected in a Church of Christ. There were pamphlets concerning the errors of other churches' doctrines. There were some about instruments, others about Mary. The literature generally carried this theme, "we're the right church because we believe the right things which we get only from the Bible."
The Churches of Christ distinguish themselves from other Christian denominations by claiming that they everything they do is sanctioned by the New Testament. They claim that this isn't true of other churches. Many of their members believe that the only way to be a true Christian is to organize their beliefs and practices around verses that come straight from the Bible.
They had pictures of their members - this is a common thing in the Churches of Christ. I couldn't tell you where the tradition comes from. They also had a missions board. There was a time when missions boards were common in Churches of Christ. I remember seeing them all the time as a child, but I hadn't seen one like this in years. The church supported more than 15 missionaries around the globe. They could afford to do this because their pulpit minister didn't take a salary, "he has enough money," one of their elders explained. Another member told me that they preferred not to pay their ministers. My guess is that both statements are true.
The service was like most Church of Christ services. They sang acapella (without instruments). The men led the service while the women sat quietly. In most Churches of Christ, women aren't even allowed to pay offering plates or communion trays. During the offering, they announced the visitors were not expected to donate. During communion, which the Churches of Christ share weekly, they read a lot of scripture. I'm not used to seeing this in mainstream Churches of Christ, but their message was similar to the one I'm used to, "Do this in Remembrance of me."
Throughout the service, I couldn't help but notice the diversity in the congregation. The congregation was about 1/3 black and the black members of the church led the service as much as the white members. I've never seen this in a Church of Christ; they are usually somewhat segregated owing mostly to history.
After a few more songs, there was a scripture reading. The whole congregation read together. This is the second time I've seen something like this in a congregation with a large number of black Christians. Is this a part of their tradition? Is this something one sees more frequently on this side of the country? Or is it an odd coincidence? I have no idea.
Eventually, one of the elders began to preach. His preaching style was different from anything I've ever seen. More than anything, he read scripture. He must have read 3 or more chapters of scripture total during his sermon, commenting on a particular topic here and there. He didn't jump around from one verse to another, which is what I'm used to seeing in Churches of Christ. Instead, he read large swaths from each section he chose. He was a good reader. The overhead projector helped the audience follow along.
The service ended like most Churches that grew up in the 1800s revivalist traditions do. There was a call for people who believed to be baptized. The elder didn't threaten hell, but warned of the possibility of hell for those who left the building without being baptized.
I didn't get to socialize the way I normally do after a service. I was in such a rush I forgot to get pictures. I talked with the elder who'd spoken for a few minutes, but it wasn't the sort of engagement I usually experience at a church. I couldn't tell you why. Was it me? Was it them? Was it the structure of the building itself. Architecture shapes the personality of a community.
One of the few things that really stuck out in the conversations that I did have was their pride in not having a pantry for the poor. This particular issue came up several times when I asked them what was special about their church. "We don't have a pantry." It was explained that Christians were supposed to do good in the world, but that the Church's job was simply to preach the Gospel. It's difficult for me to understand a theological position that allows for purchasing several projectors or flat screen TVs, but does not allow for a pantry for the poor. I'm also uncertain how allowing members to collaborate by donating to a pantry is a bad thing. I wouldn't even bother to mention it, but aside from being biblical based, it was the one thing that was mentioned to me at least three times during my few conversations. They were proud of their lack of a pantry. They were proud of the fact that, as a congregation, they are do not help the poor.
No comments:
Post a Comment