by Mike Benson

Edward T. Dalhbert, minister for the Delmar Baptist Church in St. Louis, Mo., visited the Central church of Christ in that same city. In his regular radio broadcast, "The Protestant Hour" on station KFS, Mr. Dalhbert gave some impressions of his visit with the Central congregation. Here is an excerpt from his program:

"I had a very interesting experience Sunday when I, myself, was not preaching. I walked to the nearest church close to my home. Now, this church is very different from my church. It is a church that does not believe in church choirs...it does not believe in any (mechanical) instruments of music...there was not an organ or piano in the entire building.

Now you say when you hear about a church like that, 'Well, they must be queer, to introduce an old-fashioned idea like that in...(our) century.' But on the contrary, that was one of the most inspiring services that I ever attended. The church was crowded with a youthful congregation. The singing lead by a well-trained young man with great quietness and dignity - the singing was of superb volume and praise to God. Until the time of the sermon, the minister took no part in the service. Eight capable young men read Scripture, offered the prayers, gathered the contribution, and even administered the Lord's Supper. It was a perfect demonstration of the priesthood of believers, and I felt myself virtually in the fellowship of the First Century Church... I went home inspired, saying to myself, 'It was good to be in the house of the Lord today.'"

Good friend, churches of Christ (cf. Rom. 16:16) all over the world, like the Central congregation, wish to restore their worship to that which can be read about in the New Testament (John 4:24; Col. 3:16; Matt. 26:26-29; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1,2). Their assemblies are simple, reverent and devoted to the First Century pattern laid down in Scripture.

Why not come and be with us this coming Lord's Day? We'd love to have you!

Mike,
Thank's for this article. Although we know that we must follow biblical authority in the way we worship God, it is nice to hear from an "outsider" that what we are doing is inspiring.

I like your statment regarding our worship assemblies; Simple, Reverent, and devoted to the pattern. It is sad that some today are trying to abandon this.

In His Name,
Mitchell Skelton

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