Visiting a church for the first time can leave you wondering what to expect. What happens during worship? Will you be asked to participate? What if you don't know the songs or understand everything being taught? These are common questions, especially if you're visiting a church of Christ for the first time.
Worship in a church of Christ generally includes congregational singing, prayer, the Lord's Supper, preaching from the Bible, and giving. Each has a purpose rooted in Scripture, and understanding them can help you feel more comfortable when you visit.
Why Do Churches of Christ Worship This Way?
The goal is to follow the teaching and example of the New Testament church. describes the first Christians as devoted to "the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." Other passages provide instructions concerning singing, giving, and gathering together.
Jesus taught that God seeks people who worship Him "in spirit and truth" (). Worship should therefore reflect sincere hearts and careful attention to what God has revealed. This helps explain why congregations seek biblical reasons for what they practice.
Why Is There Singing Without Instruments?
One noticeable feature of many churches of Christ is a cappella singing, meaning singing without instrumental accompaniment. A song leader guides the congregation while everyone is encouraged to participate.
This practice comes from passages such as , where Paul instructs Christians to sing and make melody to the Lord with their hearts. also describes Christians teaching and encouraging one another through singing.
These congregations understand the New Testament's instruction to sing as the pattern for music in worship. Visitors canfollow the words in a songbook or on a screen and join in whenever they're comfortable.
What Happens During Prayer?
Throughout worship, men from the congregation lead prayers expressing gratitude, praise, and requests for God's help. The congregation joins in prayer, often with heads bowed.
Prayer was an important part of the early church's life (), and Christians are encouraged to bring their concerns before God with thanksgiving (). Visitors can listen and reflect quietly as the prayers are offered.
What Is the Lord's Supper?
The Lord's Supper, also called communion, is a memorial Jesus established before His death. Christians partake of unleavened bread in remembrance of His body and fruit of the vine in remembrance of His blood.
When Jesus gave the bread to His disciples, He said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me" (). He also spoke of the cup as the new covenant in His blood (). Christians understand these words in different ways, but churches of Christ generally regard the bread and cup as memorials through which believers remember Christ's sacrifice.
Paul further explained that Christians proclaim the Lord's death through this observance until He returns (). Churches of Christ generally observe the Lord's Supper every Sunday, following the example of disciples gathering to break bread on the first day of the week ().
As the bread and cup are distributed, visitors may simply pass them along.
What Is the Preaching Like?
The sermon usually involves reading Scripture, explaining its meaning, and showing how God's teaching applies to everyday life. Some lessons explore a particular Bible passage, while others address subjects such as marriage, forgiveness, temptation, suffering, or salvation.
Paul instructed Timothy to "preach the word" with patience and careful teaching (). That remains the responsibility of anyone preaching today.
Visitors are encouraged to follow along in their Bibles and consider what is taught. The people of Berea were praised for examining the Scriptures to determine whether Paul's message was true ().
What About Giving and the Invitation?
During worship, Christians contribute money to support the congregation's work. describes believers setting aside funds on the first day of the week for a collection. Visitors are welcome to let the collection pass without contributing.
Near the end of the sermon, the preacher may offer an invitation. While the congregation sings, anyone wishing to be baptized, request prayers, or seek spiritual help may come forward. This is a traditional opportunity to make those needs known, and someone can also request baptism or spiritual help privately at another time.
What Happens When I Arrive?
When you arrive, you'll generally be greeted by members of the congregation who can help you find the auditorium or Bible classrooms. You can sit wherever you're comfortable, and you're welcome to bring your own Bible or follow the Scripture references provided during worship.
Visitors aren't expected to introduce themselves publicly, answer questions during the sermon, or participate in anything they don't yet understand. You may be offered a visitor card or greeted by several people before or after worship, but attending carries no obligation to join the congregation.
Individual congregations may arrange their services differently, but the purpose remains to worship God, learn His Word, and encourage one another toward faithfulness.
At Memorial Church of Christ in Port Arthur, Texas, visitors are welcome to attend worship, participate in Bible classes, and ask questions about Scripture. Whether you're exploring Christianity or searching for a congregation, you're invited to come and learn more.
Plan your visit to see our schedule and directions before Sunday.
To read what Scripture says about becoming a Christian, start here.
When we meet:
- Sunday: Bible Class 9am, Worship 10am, Worship 6pm
- Wednesday: Bible Class 7pm