Podcast Episode #129
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We discuss many of the issues involved in moving to or from multiple worship services. In most cases, it’s not just about adding an hour of programming. There are logistical issues almost at every turn, and communication and foresight are key parts to a successful transition.
- Churches hold multiple worship services for various reasons: seating capacity, worship style, convenience.
- The most successful moves to or from multiple worships come when the pain point is obvious to the congregation.
- Volunteer needs in a church change dramatically when adding a worship service.
- Many churches who over built a decade or two ago are now contracting the size of their worship space.
- Churches need a breathing period to adjust to the new normal when they add a worship service.
The seven things you need to know about moving to or from multiple worship services are:
- Know your attendance numbers & capacity
- Start sowing the seeds with leadership early
- Think about logistics
- Consider volunteer needs and demands
- Make the move when the pain point is obvious
- Stay positive but be honest
- Move forward with the new normal
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This is part of number 3, but we found that making the launch day a big Sunday like Easter or a high attendance day helped us to really see the need and the potential. Part of number 6 is to have an honest evaluation after a few months–it may not work for every church and it is okay if it doesn’t. We have found that we are reaching a few folks we couldn’t reach at 11 AM due to Sunday work schedules and we are freeing up space for future growth which our folks are excited about.
Those are good insights. Thanks, David.
We have considered expanding to multiple services (I don’t think we’re at the ‘pain point’ yet but are growing. However, I’ve heard a few stories of church conflict arising a couple years after splitting into two services that arises between members of the different services. In one case, the result was that the two services had different worship styles and this, over time, created a lot of conflict between what was essentially at that point, two different churches. Do you have any insights on how to avoid this conflict?
Assuming one has more than one worship venue in the same facility, have you conducted any research/made observations about concurrent worship services?
I appreciate encouraging churches to deal with the practical issues around needing to change number of worship times. However, I am disappointed that mission-based reasons for numbers of worship services was almost a “throw away” statement. Sometimes the “pain point” is that there is a target group that isn’t being reached by the current worship schedule. Seeing that they are not being reached by anyone should pain us deep in our souls. The current worship services may not be near the 80 percent rule, but the mission of reaching out is a thoughtful way needs to be a priority. It is also important to note that doing so raises some different questions and concerns about placing mission above preference and comfort, addressing issues of shared space by diverse groups, and how to reduce worship service competitiveness to name just a few.
I have thought in the back of my mind, and some of our people have stated that they would like to change in worship style. I have wondered if not to cause a rift within the church if multiple worship times would be the answer.
In the article: MOVING TO OR FROM MULTIPLE WORSHIP SERVICES – RAINER ON LEADERSHIP #129
This point – Churches need a breathing period to adjust to the new normal when they add a worship service.
What is a good “breathing period” – just curious.