Church Changes with Time, Culture and Custom

Lynn Mitchell presented the following four church models at the Pepperdine Lectureship in 1988. It describes how church changes with time, culture, and custom. Church A - Following strict observance of the Sabbath day, this church, which called itself a synagogue, gathered on Saturday evening to break bread together. The service began with praise. This included a call to worship and chanting of psalms, with rhythmic body movements and lifted hands. Next came the prayers (again with lifted hands): Group one: 1.) The Yotzer, with Creation as its theme. 2.) The ‘Ahabah, with Love as the theme. Group two: 1.) The Shema or confessional statement. 2.) The 18 Benedictions, led by a member with face turned toward the Ark. Then came the Instruction: Scripture reading and Exposition. Breaking of the Bread: 1.) Bread is blessed and partaken of. 2.) Full fellowship meal. 3.) Cup of Blessing is passed. Church B - Much less formal than Church A. They gathered on the first day of the week for the Lord’s Supper which included a full meal (love feast), along with the blessing of the bread and the wine in memory of Christ. Worship included prayers, songs, prophetic speeches, instructions, glossolalia with accompanying interpretation - all contributed somewhat spontaneously by members of the congregation. Men and women participated by praying and prophesying. The women wore veils and the men wore no head covering. Worship tended to be somewhat unruly, a problem which they had to watch. Church C - The church met at or just before noon on Sunday for one Sunday service of 2 to 4 hours which included lunch. Worship was somewhat informal, but much less rambunctious than Church B. The style resembled a rural democratic gathering. The president called the congregation to worship in praise. He then repeated a song which he knew and the congregation rose and sang it. He then asked a reader to read “the evangelical history” (from the Gospels). Another brother was then called upon to pray in the name of the congregation. The Epistle was read by the president followed by a song. The Lord’s Supper was observed, after remarks concerning its meaning, using one loaf and one cup of wine. The president then called for prayer for the poor and lost (kneeling). The Fellowship (offering) was laid on the table by each worshipper. An invitation was extended was extended to any who had something to edify the congregation. Several read Scripture and spoke. After several more songs selected by the congregation, a motion was made to adjourn. The president pronounced the apostolic benediction and dismissed the congregation. Church D - The church met on Sunday morning at 9:30 for Sunday School (not found in Churches A, B, or C), and then at 10:30 for the general assembly. Their assembly included contemporary music and choruses of praise. Communion was served in silver trays as it was passed from pew to pew. The congregation listened to 30 minute sermon and an invitation was extended. After a closing prayer the congregation was dismissed. Church A is the Jerusalem church in the book of Acts - A.D. 30. Church B is the Corinthian church - A.D. 55. Church C is the church of Alexander Campbell - A.D. 1830. Church D is the typical Church of Christ in North America – 21st Century.