Meetings

In some places today, good Christians hold meetings at one time of the week according to the ideal of silent worship based on the immediate guidance of the Holy Spirit, similar to that of the Friends (Quakers). At other times they conduct meetings of worship which includes the prearranged reading of Scripture, prepared preaching, and the use of hymns and anthems which have been planned ahead of time. 


Since the good Christians do not build churches usually meeting in people's homes or the like, the meeting place for worship is not a consecrated building. People are free to greet and talk with one another as they would ordinarily as guests visiting the home of a friend. 


Collections

The good Christians have been described as a "church without a collection plate." Generally speaking, this is true. It is the very rare case when a collection is taken at a worship service. In I Corinthians 16:1-2 the New Testament states that the voluntary contribution of money was received by the pastors and elders of the church and the good Christians maintain this practice. The ordinary practice is that the pastor or elder will visit each member or associate during the course of the week (or whenever possible) and receive any money which they have laid aside for the work of the Gospel. 

Good Christians do not tithe as a matter of fixed policy, nor do they engage in public solicitation of funds (except perhaps in a very grave emergency). You may wish to ask us for the leaflet The Good Christians and Money. 


Singing and Musical Instruments

The New Testament clearly commands good Christians to sing vocal music and worship is conducted without musical instruments. Meetings before or after worship services offer a full range of instruments and modern music according to local practice. This is especially true among prison groups.

Our leaflet, Hymns of the New Dawn, can provide you with more information. See also Chants .


The Lord's Supper

The practice of the New Testament church is very clear: "And on the first day of the week, the disciples came together to break bread..." (Acts 20:7) 

Good Christians reject the idea that Roman Catholicism teaches of Jesus Christ being present in the Eucharist any more than He would be present anywhere else. It is a communion of believers with each other (I Corinthians 10:17): they eat and drink the same symbolic elements, focusing of their common faith in Christ.