Worship Priorities

As we travel the country in our 38 foot motorhome one of our greatest challenges it finding a place to worship.  It isn't that there are a shortage of churches.  It isn’t even due to our unwillingness to worship in any church, because we have attended many different churches with many different names over the doors.  We are unashamedly members of the Church of Christ.  However, we do not believe that the CHURCH is limited to those who attend Churches of Christ.  It is our conviction that the church is made up of believers, and that these believers attend congregations in various diverse groups throughout the world.  God’s church is not limited by man’s design.  Our belief is founded in the diversity of the churches named in the New Testament.  For example, the seven churches of Asia Jesus addresses in Revelation.  Each of these churches practice worship in a different manner.  Jesus has a problem with six of them.  However, He calls ALL of them His church.  It is apparent in New Testament history that churches, while practicing and binding different things upon themselves, did not expect the same from their brethren in other places and congregations (see Acts 15 and Romans 14).  This is just to address why we have no problem going to church outside of our immediate fellowship.

So, one might ask, “Then, Rod, why is finding a place to worship such a challenge?”  To answer this question I must reveal my own personal prejudices.  As I look at the many different stripes of Christianity, it becomes clear that each one has its own traditions, customs, and practices.  As to our core beliefs, there isn’t much difference.  However, when it comes to what we do for an hour or so each week in our public gatherings, there can be a lot of variety.  One of our customs in the churches of Christ is participation in the observance of the Lord’s Supper.  I know that many in our church believe this is a law.  However, I find nothing in scripture to support that position.  Indeed, it is my position that in making it a law we take away from it’s special significance.  Jesus died to set us free from law, not to set up another system of law-keeping.  Having said that, it would seem to me that the early church felt this sacrament of communion to be an important custom.  There is much historical evidence showing that our first and second century brethren observed communion every time they came together, often as much as seven days a week!  Scripture does point out that it was Paul’s custom to observe the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week.  And there are numerous scriptures that deal with this rite.  The Lord’s Supper should be a very special privilege to each and every Christian.  When we partake of the bread and wine, we demonstrate our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is at the very core of Christianity.  I find it to be a wonderful time of celebration, and I look forward to it every Sunday.

My brethren who do not observe it every Sunday usually have a special service monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, or sporadically.  The usual explanation I receive for their custom is that to observe it every week would make it too common, taking away from its specialness.  I find just the opposite to be the case.  I don’t mean it as a criticism, but I do find that these brethren do offer the opportunity to partake in a public contribution every Sunday.  Yet, when I look in scripture I find only two references to the church having a collection during a public meeting.  Is this more important than observance of the Lord’s Supper?  Does it take away from its specialness when we offer the contribution weekly?  I would just like my fellows in other churches to think about it, and maybe consider returning to the custom of our first-century brethren.  It would sure make my search for a place to worship easier ;>).