‘Secret shopper’ reviews Church of Christ in Georgia

Angel Cleary writes a “review” of the Central Church of Christ in Martinez, Ga., a suburb of Augusta, for Metro Spirit newspaper.
The reporter visited the church for Sunday worship and wrote about the experience. (We have discussed doing something similar — a sort of “secret shopper” feature on churches — here at The Christian Chronicle.)
Here’s an excerpt:

Worship was lead by a songleader who began each hymn by blowing into a pitch pipe. He sang the first couple measures or so of each hymn, starting us out at a brisk pace. There were no instruments, and we sang a cappella, like the Primitive Baptists or Mennonites, or Boyz II Men. (Don’t pretend like you don’t get the reference.)
Sometimes I can’t even hear myself sing when I visit churches with a full rock band. It was refreshing to hear full-bellied vocals in four-part harmony.
The lyrics and piano sheet music were displayed on the overheads so we could pick the part we wanted. When we joined him, we almost instantly slowed the time signature by half. We were tempo-challenged and he was so optimistic. I grinned.

Angel offers some unique perspective on our fellowship:

In the following millenia after Jesus’ death, Christianity broke into hundreds of denominations with different doctrinal focuses and different leaders. Churches of Christ believe that this disunity of Christianity displeases God and they aim to reunite Christianity under the true umbrella of New Testament practices.
The irony, of course, is that many contemporary churches feel they also have revitalized the emphasis of the early church and often call themselves non-denominational.
It’s kind of like saying Neufchatel isn’t really cream cheese. Or that an El Camino isn’t a truck. Or that a mullet isn’t a shoulder-length haircut.

(Does anybody know what Neufchatel is? I am familiar with El Caminos and mullets — and I have neither.)

• Feedback
  The interwebs say it is a disturbing sounding kind of French cheese.

  Josh

  March, 2 2011

  Bobby,
  In the dairy case at the grocery you will find this kind of cheese, along side “cream cheese.” All I remembered was that it was lower in fat content.
  However, a little search, through Google, brought this: http://www.differencebetween.net/object/comparisons-of-food-items/difference-between-cream-cheese-and-neufchatel-cheese/
  Interesting article, and concept, on which you have reported. Thanks.
  Leonard

  Leonard Blake

  March, 4 2011

  French Neufch�tel is a soft, slightly crumbly, mould-ripened cheese made in the region of Normandy. One of the oldest cheeses in France, its production is believed to date back to the 6th century. It looks similar to camembert, with a dry, white, edible rind, but the taste is saltier and sharper. It has the aroma and taste of mushrooms. Unlike other soft-white-rinded cheeses, Neufch�tel has a grainy texture.[1] It is usually sold in heart shapes, however it is also produced in other forms, such as logs. It is typically matured for 8�10 weeks.
  In 1872 William Lawrence, a New York dairyman of the township of Chester, created the first American cream cheese as the result of an attempt to create a batch of Neufch�tel. This American Neufch�tel is softer than regular cream cheese due to its approximately 33% lower fat and higher moisture content.[2][3] In the United States, this Neufch�tel is sometimes called farmers’ cheese.[4]
  From Wikipedia

  Dale Jenkins

  March, 4 2011

  Neuf is wonderful cheese the one sad thing I see is that spirituality in America and all over the World seems to be just as soft.
  Breaks my heart!!!!

  beckie

  March, 4 2011

  Leonard,
  Thanks for your comment! My colleague Erik Tryggestad actually wrote this post, though. I did have to re-read his post, though, and see why you were sending a comment about cheese. 🙂
  Bobby

  Bobby Ross Jr.

  March, 4 2011

  I was glad to see a reporter’s description of visiting a worship hour
  among us. The time would have been more engaging, and perhaps more transforming, if the congregation had engaged in dialogue in response to a brief lesson. The Greek in Acts 20:7 says that Paul DIALOGUED with the brethren at Troas.

  Wayne McDaniel

  March, 4 2011