Luling Church of Christ

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I'm a bit biased because I spent several years as the preacher's kid at this church in the early 2000s, but I feel as if I have a reasonably solid grasp on it because of my experience there as well as distance from my multiple years away.

(Note, my parents are now retired and live elsewhere, so this information isn't necessarily the most current.)

The people here are amazing. They're kind, friendly, and open. They don't all agree on minutiae about the Bible, yet they respect each others' opinions and accept those who are different from them. It's a very laid back and welcoming atmosphere.

Everyone here bases his or her belief on the Bible itself, so that differences of opinion are limited to mostly grey area items. The big issues (Jesus, etc) are generally agreed on.

This church practices immersion baptism and does not have instruments. Most of the congregation does not condemn instruments, per se, but it is traditional in the Churches of Christ to make music using only human voices. I enjoy this aesthetically, and the congregation has some really phenomenal singers.

The people as a whole are kind and gentle. A few years back, a man visited who stood up in front of the congregation and complained that they didn't greet him when he arrived or speak to him after service and that they were terribly terribly unfriendly. To be fair to the congregation, this man arrived late and left immediately after his first service. Still, the congregation was so hurt and shaken that they implemented greeters who stay until well after service starts so that no one can think them inhospitable. The amazing thing is that it wasn't anger that prompted them. It was self-examination. Many individuals asked the minister if what the man said was true. WERE they inhospitable? The minister's answer was "No" but the congregation still went to a lot of effort to keep anyone from ever thinking that again.

These people are so kind and generous and warm that they're willing to go out of their way to avoid even SEEMING inhospitable.

As for services:

Sunday evening services are (or were, in my time) often informal round-table studies. Questions and discussion welcome. Once a month, on potluck Sunday, the evening service is simply singing. This is one of the traditions I miss most. :)

Sunday mornings follow the normal formula: Welcome, singing, prayers, communion, offering, sermon, singing, closing prayer.

If you stick around afterward, people will say hello and ask you your name and whether you want to join everyone for lunch (another tradition, because everyone knows southerners ADORE food) and if you're just visiting or moved to the area. It might seem a little overwhelming, but trust me when I say that the members are asking because they're truly interested in you as a person. Not as a potential member or wallet to add to their donations but as a human being whom Christ loves. They'll love you in spite of your flaws, and they'll hope that you will do the same for them.

My final words will be a summation of this church: it is a restful place. My parents went here after a very painful job in Texas, and I have never seen them more relaxed in a congregation than they were in this one. It's a warm, loving home, and anyone who is willing to give this place a chance will find a priceless treasure of hope, love, and peace.