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VISITOR'S GUIDE

We hope that you feel the love of Jesus at our church! Whether you are searching for a church family or simply visiting for a special occasion, we welcome you. If you have any questions leading up to your visit, this visitor’s guide may be able to help. 


Worship 

Apostolic Christian services are traditional. Music consists of time-tested hymns that connect us to our history and heritage, sung in four-part a cappella style (no instruments). Our services last a little over an hour and generally follow this routine: 

  • Hymn singing (several hymns) 
  • Moment of silent prayer 
  • Introduction 
  • Old Testament reading and reflection 
  • Hymn and Prayer 
  • New Testament reading 
  • Sermon (~20-30 minutes) 
  • Closing thoughts, usually by a second minister 
  • Hymn and Prayer 
  • Greetings from across our national/international brotherhood 
  • Announcements and any other closing remarks 

 

We value prayer as a precious opportunity to praise and petition our loving God in reverence. We typically kneel during prayer, though we often stand for prayer during wedding, baptism, or funeral services. While a few of our churches have kneelers, we most often kneel on the carpet, if physically able. 


Everyone is encouraged to participate in worship through singing, engaged listening, and silent prayer throughout the service (a minister or a church member will offer spoken prayers). Our ministers rely on the prayers of the congregation, as they entreat the Holy Spirit to inspire their preaching, usually without preselecting the Biblical passages. 


Our ministers and elders are men who love Jesus Christ and his Word. They are selected for the ministry by the church, without seminary training. Ministers forego financial compensation, and generally have (or are retired from) full-time jobs apart from their church duties. For this reason, most churches have several ministers to help distribute responsibilities and ensure accountability. 


The King James Version Bible is used during our services. Bibles are available for use in the assembly room, but you may bring your own if you prefer. 


After a service at most Apostolic Christian churches, dismissal from the assembly room occurs orderly by row, starting with the pulpit and followed by the front bench. An extended period of socializing in church fellowship areas generally follows. During this time, you may notice church members of the same gender greeting one another with a kiss of charity, as practiced in the New Testament.1 

 

Seating 

During services you will see groups of women sitting with women and men sitting with men, rather than family units sitting together. In addition to assisting our four-part singing, we find that this practice helps us be conscious of individuals who attend church by themselves and helps build valuable relationships that cross family and generational lines. However, feel free to sit with your family/friends during your visit, if they plan on attending with you! 


Lunch 

Apostolic Christian churches typically have two services on Sundays, with lunch served in between. Sermons and scripture readings are different at each service, so church members usually attend both. Even if you plan to attend one service, Sunday lunch is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen friendships or meet new people.   


Attire 

You do not need to wear a particular type of clothing when visiting our church. While there is no requirement, you may notice that the custom of our church members is to put on the proverbial “Sunday best,” meaning that men often wear suits or shirts/ties, and women usually wear dresses or skirts.

 

Female members wear headcoverings2 as directed in 1 Corinthians 11. Men’s heads remain uncovered.3  Visitors can cover their heads or leave them uncovered — whatever you choose.


Children and Sunday School 

We love to see (and hear) a church full of children! If you bring a baby or toddler and you find that your child needs to rest/refresh, most of our churches have a baby room (quiet room) that is furnished with changing pads, rocking chairs, a few toys, etc. Many baby rooms have individual sleeping/nursing rooms with cribs and rocking chairs. Infants/toddlers stay with their grown-up during morning and afternoon services; childcare is not provided for that age group. 

 

Children preschool-age (3 or 4) and older may attend Sunday school during one of our services, often the morning service. Note that Sunday school is not offered during the summer in some places. If you have Sunday school-age children, they are welcome to attend, or they can sit with you in the main church service if you prefer. Parents may bring quiet toys, books, or snacks to help occupy children during the main service. 


Giving 

We recognize that our material possessions are gifts from God, and we desire to freely give as we have freely received. Charity fund boxes are located near the fellowship area of most of our churches, for anyone who feels led to give financially. 


Want to know more? 

We hope you enjoy your time with us! If you have any additional questions about the Bible, God’s plan for salvation, or our specific church, you are always welcome to talk to one of our ministers or any believer that you meet during your visit. You may also contact us here. 


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  1. Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14 
  2. 1 Corinthians 11:3. The style of headcovering that you will typically see at our church has evolved over time and today resembles a strip of lace or tulle worn on the hair, though any headcovering could fulfill this biblical principle. 
  3. 1 Corinthians 11:4 


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