What to Expect

A high percentage of our church is comprised of individuals that have relocated from other parts of the country either for employment and/or to help establish a church in the Twin Cities.  As a result you’ll see a close-knit family of believers that enjoys being together as few have local parents or siblings for support.

Sermons are rotated between the three lay ministers from our Minneapolis Apostolic congregation. Because there is a large amount of travel between our churches, visiting ministers from other Apostolic Christian churches will conduct the service when they are present.

Ministers do not ordinarily select scriptural texts or prepare sermon outlines before the worship service. Instead, ministers pray and meditate on the Word during the week. Other than for special occasions, they open the Scriptures as they stand before the congregation and use these texts for their message, recognizing that God knows the needs of the congregation. The minister thus depends on the Holy Spirit for inspiration, and the prayers of the congregation to be used as an instrument for the benefit and edification of the worshipers.

The Bible is read from the Old and New Testaments and is followed by preaching and exhortations from those scriptures. The Authorized King James Version of the Bible is used. Hymns are sung from the Zion’s Harp and Hymns of Zion hymnals during the church service. When prayers are offered during the services, the entire congregation is invited to kneel if able.

You will see the women who are members of the Apostolic Christian church wearing a head covering/veil. This practice follows the biblical instruction found in 1 Corinthians 11:5. Men do not wear a head covering/veil (1 Corinthians 11:4).

You will also notice the members of the church greeting each other with a kiss of charity (love). This practice follows the biblical instruction found in Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14. The men, called Brothers, greet the brothers while the women, called Sisters, greet the sisters. Note that only those who are members of an Apostolic Christian church greet each other in this way.

Men and women generally sit separately during regular worship services with men on one side of the sanctuary and women on the other. During special occasions such as weddings and funerals, men and women or families more often sit together. Separate seating during worship helps widows, widowers, and single members feel more comfortable by sitting with believers of their own gender.

Singing is done in an "a cappella" fashion with all parishioners participating in the singing.

After the closing prayer, a minister will go to the pulpit and ask if anyone has “Greetings.” You will observe men stand, say “Greetings from ____” and mention the name of a town. These towns are places where other Apostolic Christian churches are located. This tradition reminds us of the common bond that we have with others who attend Apostolic Christian churches across the globe. The minister will repeat the names of the towns so that all can hear them. He will then ask visitors to take the Christian greetings of the Minneapolis Apostolic Christian church back to their local congregations.

Anyone in the congregation who prays out-loud or “gives greetings” will be either a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Minneapolis or a member of another Apostolic Christian church.