Over the past few years, many alternative worship services went from being the largest on campus to a struggling remnant. The collapse of ‘contemporary worship’ may be one of the most remarkable trends in mainline churches of the past decade. The bands have aged, the young folks got distracted (and in many cases post-Covid, they went missing altogether). Sometimes, those who lead and serve outnumber all the other worshipers combined. It is really remarkable, when I recall how adding such a service was my most common recommendation in church consultations before 2005. In some cases, this choice stopped attendance decline and reduced median age on campus for several years.
Meanwhile, the sanctuary traditional services soldier on - in some cases having stabilized in their decline - especially after the fellowship hall service gave up, and a handful of people came back across.
What is the best path forward for a church whose contemporary service is on life support?
1. In almost every case, STOP. There is little chance and few examples of
tired, struggling contemporary services spontaneously coming back after the
numbers drop below 30. People who may be
looking for this type of worship will find what they are looking for in larger
churches, where the only worship style is very contemporary. If there are very few kids in the
children’s area, all the more reason that families will choose larger, younger
churches - if they attend at all.
2. Consider shifting the sanctuary traditional service to a blend. A generation ago, blended worship got a bad reputation, for two reasons - first it was poorly blended in some cases, and second, traditional worship snobs often acted like jerks. Well, folks - a lot of the jerks are now resting in peace six feet under - and it may be safe to revisit the concept now. Last Sunday, my family worshiped at the National Cathedral in DC - which has been thriving with a blended worship style for several years. The blend of high church Euro classical music with Black gospel is both a reflection of the cathedral's ethnic diversity and also a driver of it. Last Sunday, there were two choirs - who sang interchangeably through the service - blended as artfully as my New Orleans aunt stews up gumbo. It was gorgeous. Key to a good blend - high quality in all things musical, and a music director who values inclusiveness.
3. Regardless of the format of the remaining worship service, it has to sparkle! The preaching has to be good these days, relevant to the people we are seeking to engage - many homiletical styles were excellent for the people six feet under. But now a refresh is in order. The preaching is every bit as critical as the music. The warmth in the room - the unscripted people encounters and welcomes - also critical. There should be excellent visuals on screen, professionally advanced throughout the service. Interviews or special service elements are necessary. Some sort of surprise every week! Make it sparkle, folks! Excellent worship alone will not grow a church these days - but I can guarantee you that chances of your church growing without excellent worship are almost zero.
4. In some cases, merging two services may make it possible to gather a minimum critical mass of children at the same hour. This is, strategically speaking, about as helpful to a church’s future as anything else that we could name! Beef up the quality and TLC going into children’s ministry that occurs simultaneous with worship!
5. Meanwhile, with the energy necessary to produce weekly worship reduced, channel fresh energy into community relationships, mission partnerships and serving neighbors! Prove to your community that you care, that you take seriously what it means to follow Jesus - lead out in loving your neighbors, and you may be surprised how many of the un-churched neighbors will roll up their sleeves to help!
Friends, it is not 1994. But the church where I serve on staff is thriving in these post-Covid times. Blended worship that sparkles week unto week is part of the reason - and the transforming effect of a large ministry feeding homeless neighbors is another reason! We have grown steadily over the last few years, even as several of our best and brightest moved on to heaven.
Happy 2024! It is truly a wonderful time to be the Church of Jesus Christ!
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