Igneous Quill

My wife and I have been trying over the past couple of years to visit other congregations of the Churches of Christ in our area.  One Sunday not too long ago we decided to visit one we were told was a bit more "contemporary" in style.  It met, we were told, in an area high school.

We made the nearly 30 minute drive and got there thinking we were late.  Walking into the school cafeteria we found the band tuning up.  "Contemporary" was what we'd heard, so we figured this must be part of it.  Once worship began, though, we began feeling terribly out of place.  It was Communion Sunday, we were told, and the pastor introduced himself to us.  Churches of Christ don't typically call their preachers "pastor," and they have the Lord's Supper every Sunday.  This and other aspects of the gathering just weren't adding up.

Finally I leaned over to my wife and suggested we were at the wrong church.  Perhaps there was another church meeting in the same building.  The thought really bothered her, and we made as graceful and quiet a departure as possible. 

Walking around the outside of the building we made our way to the auditorium.  Sure enough, there was a sign outside the door announcing that a Church of Christ was meeting within.  Argh!!!

We were greeted warmly and told that although we'd missed several hymns and the Lord's Supper, the service was only about half over.  A fellow kindly escorted us in to the auditorium where we found seats.

Worship was led by a mixed group of men and women and the songs were definitely more contemporary in style, but not accompanied by instruments.  The preacher gave an excellent lesson, and it was about 3 minutes into his message that I realized this was a congregation of the International Church of Christ (ICOC).

Having heard of major changes for the better taking place among these churches, I didn't panic.  After worship we spoke at length with several people, including the evangelist, and came away impressed.

At the evangelical church I felt absolutely out of place.  It wasn't the band (I have no issues with that, coming as I do from the perspective of independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ on the topic of worship), but rather the overall feel of the church.  While I really can't put my finger on it, I think it's a question of traditions.

The ICOC had a different style in some aspects and is the result of a split from the mainstream of a cappella Churches of Christ, but maintains traits held in common by other branches of the Stone-Campbell Movement.  I believe that it was this commonality that made me feel at home with the ICOC folks, as it did also in times past at a Disciples congregation and a mutual edification Church of Christ.

Whatever else I am as a Christian, I am at home within the Stone-Campbell Movement of churches.