The one thing most visitors to churches of christ notice right away is the acapella singing in four part harmony. No instruments are used in worship services. The most strict congregations will sing only approved hymns out of a hymnal. Others allow projectors that put the music up on a screen. Some congregations sing a mixture of hymns and modern praise songs. There is usually only one song leader, not necessarily trained. The members may or may not have experience with music education, usually from public school or private lessons. It is generally not taught in church classes. The singing quality ranges from cringeworthy to sublime, depending on the singing abilities of each congregation. The most liberal congregations may have rhythmic clapping during certain songs, and worship teams (sometimes with women!). There are instrumental churches of Christ, but they are not usually part of the mainstream network, and most traditionalists avoid them like the plague. Many churches of Christ will not allow any kind of instrument in the church building for any reason, including weddings. I no longer sing church songs because I can not say the words in good conscience. No one has commented.
Another feature of churches of christ is weekly communion, also called "the lord's supper." This consists of either homemade "unleavened bread", which is much like pie crust, or store bought matzoh crackers, to *symbolically* represent the body of christ. No transubstantiation here. There is also grape juice (fruit of the vine) to represent the blood of Jesus. Welch's grape juice is an American take on the fruit of the vine. Many churches overseas have no compunction using wine. In the US, there is an almost morbid fear that wine in communion, indeed, any consumption of alcohol at all, borders on irredeemably sinful. It could lead to an alcoholic downfall. Weekly observance of communion is insisted on. All baptized believers are expected to "partake." Many feel guilty if they miss a Sunday. Visitors are given allowances for ignorance, but set straight as soon as politely possible. I still participate in the Lord's Supper because it is just a piece of cracker and grape juice. I don't feel as though I'm compromising myself. Plus, I don't want to be a fodder for gossip. Someone would definitely notice that.
There are no religious calendars, no written creeds, or prescribed prayers in the churches of christ. Though the phrase "guide, guard, and direct us" is ubiquitous enough to be cliche. Churches of christ claim to have no other guide but the bible. However, they are not above using concordances, bible dictionaries, and study guides or literature that is written by members of the church, or that is sufficiently generic christian. The bible is usually interpreted literally, unless the language is obviously metaphorical. The most conservative congregations stick to the KJV. The NIV is very common in mainstream churches. The whole bible is usually considered historically accurate. If anyone disagrees, they keep it to themselves. Historical or textual criticism is practically nonexistent. Discussions of science, politics, and the end of the world, are generally avoided. Generally, with some exceptions, American members lean creationist (old earth and young earth), republican, and amillenial. Churches of Christ are technically Christian fundamentalists. They believe in the divinity of Jesus and the inspiration of the scriptures. They are trinitarians. They believe in heaven and hell in an eternal afterlife. However, they also believe that the age of miracles, healings, and speaking in tongues, ended with the death of the apostles.
There are no Pastors, Fathers, priests, or Reverends, in churches of christ. They are called ministers or preachers, and that is their main function. College educations are not always required. It is possible for a member of the congregation, even a woman, to have as much or more knowledge of the bible than the preacher. Preachers are usually hired for their speaking abilities. They are also expected to not rock the boat, if they want to keep their jobs. They tend to stay away from divisive issues. The preaching all begins to sound the same after a while. The authorities of each congregation are the elected elders, at least two. They are usually senior members with many years in the church of christ. Elders hold a kind of supervisory position. They are usually the final authority on church matters. There are also any number of deacons who serve under the elders and do the grunt work. If there are no elders, all the men of the congregation may be invited to participate in "business meetings." It's a man's world.
More to come.
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