Walk into a typical American church today and you’re usually met with a sensory experience that rivals a mid-sized concert venue. Smoke machines, LED backdrops, and professional-grade sound systems are the norm. But there is a group that goes the opposite direction. It’s quiet. There is no band. When you sit down for a service involving church of christ preaching, the focus is so narrow it can actually be jarring for the uninitiated.
It’s all about the book.
If you’ve ever wondered why these congregations do things the way they do, it basically comes down to a concept called the "Restoration Plea." The goal isn't to be a modern denomination; it’s an attempt to clone the first-century church. This means the preaching style is fundamentally different from what you see in the "Three Points and a Poem" style of the mid-20th century or the "Ted Talk" vibe of current mega-churches.
The "Book, Chapter, and Verse" Obsession
In many traditions, a sermon is a motivational speech with a few scriptures sprinkled in like garnish. In church of christ preaching, the scripture is the meal. You’ll often hear the phrase "speak where the Bible speaks and stay silent where the Bible is silent." This isn't just a catchy slogan. It is the literal blueprint for how the minister—often called an evangelist or preacher rather than "Pastor"—constructs his message.
Why the distinction in titles? Most of these congregations believe that "Pastor" refers to the elders (the overseers) of the church, not the guy behind the pulpit. It’s a small detail, but it speaks to the hyper-focus on New Testament vocabulary.
The sermons are typically "expository." This means the preacher takes a specific chunk of the Bible and digs through it line by line. You won’t find a lot of fluff. Honestly, if a preacher spends twenty minutes talking about his golf game or his latest vacation, the congregation might start looking at their watches. They are there for "sound doctrine."
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No Piano, No Problem: The A Cappella Factor
You can't talk about church of christ preaching without addressing the elephant—or rather, the missing orchestra—in the room. The music is a cappella. Just voices.
Some people think this is because they can't afford an organ or because they hate fun. Neither is true. It’s a theological conviction based on the lack of musical instruments in the New Testament accounts of worship. When the preaching happens in this environment, it carries a different weight. There is no "emotional manipulation" from a keyboard player softly hitting chords in the background to make you feel misty-eyed during the invitation.
The message has to stand on its own feet.
If the logic of the sermon doesn't move you, the music won't do the heavy lifting for it. This creates a high-pressure environment for the speaker. They can’t rely on production value. It’s just a man, a microphone, and an open Bible. This raw approach is why many find this style of worship refreshing, while others find it intimidatingly stark.
The Five-Step Plan and the "Invitation"
Almost every sermon in this tradition ends with an "invitation." This is the moment where anyone who wants to become a Christian or needs prayers can come to the front.
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You’ll almost always hear what’s internally referred to as the "Plan of Salvation." It’s a specific sequence:
- Hear the Word (Romans 10:17)
- Believe the message (Hebrews 11:6)
- Repent of sins (Luke 13:3)
- Confess Jesus as the Son of God (Romans 10:10)
- Be Baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
Baptism is the big one. In the world of church of christ preaching, baptism isn't viewed as a "symbolic outward sign of an inward grace." It’s viewed as the literal moment of salvation. This is why you’ll see a baptistery—basically a small heated pool—built into the wall behind the pulpit in almost every building. They are ready to go at a moment's notice. It’s not uncommon for someone to be baptized at 2:00 AM on a Tuesday if that’s when they decide they’re ready.
Challenging the "Self-Help" Trend
We live in an era of "Self-Help Christianity." A lot of modern preaching focuses on how to have a better marriage, how to manage your finances, or how to feel less stressed at work. While those things are addressed, church of christ preaching tends to be more "theocentric."
It’s about God’s nature, the structure of the early church, and the necessity of obedience. This can sometimes come across as "legalistic" to outsiders. If you’re used to a very "grace-only" or "feel-good" message, a sermon on the specific organizational structure of a 1st-century church might feel a bit dry.
But for those inside, it’s about "patternism." They believe the New Testament provides a specific pattern for how to live and worship, and straying from that pattern is dangerous. It’s a high-stakes way of looking at faith.
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Diversity Within the Tradition
It would be a mistake to think every Church of Christ sounds exactly the same.
There’s a spectrum. On one end, you have very conservative "non-institutional" churches. On the other, you have more "progressive" congregations that might incorporate more modern visuals or even (though rarely) instrumental music in separate services.
However, the core of church of christ preaching remains remarkably consistent: a heavy reliance on the Book of Acts and the Epistles. The goal is to strip away the "traditions of men"—things like creeds, manuals, and catechisms—and just use the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you are planning to attend a service or are researching this tradition, keep these practical points in mind:
- Bring a physical Bible. While many use phone apps, you’ll see a lot of people flipping through paper pages. Following along is expected.
- Expect "The Lord's Supper" every Sunday. This isn't a monthly or quarterly event. It happens every single first day of the week, usually immediately following or preceding the sermon.
- Don't look for a choir. The whole congregation is the choir. You’re expected to sing, even if you’re tone-deaf.
- Check the "Who We Are" page. If you’re looking at a church website, look for mentions of "the New Testament pattern." This will give you the best clue as to their preaching style.
- Ask questions after. Most preachers in this tradition love to "talk shop." If you disagree with a point they made, they will generally be happy to sit down with an open Bible and discuss why they believe what they believe.
The beauty—or the frustration, depending on who you ask—of this tradition is its simplicity. It’s a throwback. In a world that is getting louder and more digital, the persistence of a guy standing behind a wooden lectern, asking a room of people to turn to the book of Galatians, is a fascinating cultural holdout. It’s not for everyone, but for those who value biblical literacy above all else, it’s home.