“Others have recommendations — but I’ll suggest that the church of Christ is worth considering. Per scripture, women are prohibited from participating during the worship service.”
Agree.
“The preacher typically wears a suit (as opposed to vestments). The honorific is a simple ``Mister’’ not ``Reverend’’ or ``Pastor”
Gravely disagree. The vestments are only seen as ‘unmanly’ by people who don’t understand their history. I would sooner take a priest with the honorifics, than a pastor in his suit. What’s he trying to pretend anyways?
“And the music is very traditional, almost militaristic (think ``Onward Christian Soldiers’’, ``A Mighty Fortress’’ and ``To the Work’’). I’ve heard very little (if any) of the sappy, self-centered femenized songs at church of Christ. The harmony of the acapella singing (led by a song leader) is inspiring. “
Can’t disagree. I’m surprised given what you’ve said here, why you have such opposition to the vestments. Priests shouldn’t just be some guy grabbed from the back row, there should be something that sets him apart from everyone else, that makes his status readily apparent. This is what the vestments acheive.
“Some women can not stand men being the bosses of themselves at church, protest then leave. It is pretty shocking to some women that they are “excluded” from male created, directed and centered activity. But it is very good for the nurturing the faith of males.”
Or they try to tear down the mens’ stuff. You’d be surprised.
I think your church has hit on a few things. The whole networking aspect is a tremendous boon. You want to encourage young men to go to church, give them an opportunity to work. Church isn’t just about the spiritual, but about the day to day stuff too.
I like what you said about ‘making the boys feel involved in the men’s activities’. This is an important step that I feel youth ministries totally neglect.
Did Reagan need a crown and scepter? I personally think his status was apparent by his actions and by his words and not by his apparel. :-)
In the church of Christ, there's not a priest, by that name, serving as the worship leader. He (and certainly not she) is generally referred to as a preacher or, occasionally, minister. In most cases, what might be familiar visual cues elsewhere aren't common in church of Christ congregations. Stained glass windows and a darkened sanctuary are atypical. The architectural style of a soaring cathedral is rare as well. In fact, the very term ``sanctuary'' is often displaced by ``auditorium'' or ``worship area''.
I'm by no means an expert on this history of the reformation movement in the US but I think some of the ``plainness'' came from the generally rustic culture of Tennessee and Kentucky where Cain Ridge played a role in the ``Second Great Awakening''.
And given the autonomous nature of each congregation, there may (or may not) be some where the preacher wears more formal attire.