This is the final post in this three-part series on how to get the most out of our Sunday Worship. Scripture says that our time of corporate worship is the high point of our week. So how can we set ourselves up to receive what God has for us on the Lord’s Day? Part 1 discussed how to prepare for Sunday worship. Part 2 suggested ways to engage in Sunday Worship. Here in part 3, let’s consider how God can use our new two-gathering format for Sunday Worship.
Starting on September 17th, we will have a 9am and 11am worship gathering. To be honest, I’ve always opposed having two gatherings. As we continue to grow as a church, I’ve become convinced of the necessity of this move. But I still haven’t liked it. Yet, as I have been praying, I feel that the Spirit is showing me several ways that this will be a blessing to us and that instead of being reluctant, I should be expectant and trust that God will move in our church through this change. So, over the past few months, my heart has shifted, and now I’m looking forward to what God has for us.
Here are some blessings the Spirit has been speaking to me about this change.
1. It will create more space for people to come and hear the gospel.
For years, the rule of thumb for church buildings is that people feel that the space is too full and uninviting at 80% capacity. Post-Covid, it is probably closer to 60-70% capacity and feels too full. People like space to spread out. We’ve been between 85-95% of capacity for the past several months. Some Sundays, moving around after the service has felt hard. While it was never part of my vision to have a multi-service church, the burden that brought myself and the church plant team into the city was a burden to see more and more people come to know, love, enjoy, and be matured in the gospel. And so, that vision compels us not to turn anyone away but to open our doors for all God wants to bring. Having two services will allow us to spread out and give more space for more people to come as we continue in our mission to make, mature, and multiply disciples of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God.
2. It will create more opportunities to connect with people on Sunday.
There used to be a time when I could talk with everyone on a Sunday. I could meet each new person and greet each church member. I haven’t been able to do that for a while, and I’m sure you haven’t. Having a crowded space makes it hard to connect with people. And so I’m excited about how this move to create more space will give us greater opportunities to connect. One of the things that I think God has blessed us with as a church is our welcoming environment. While we aren’t perfect in that, the most common feedback I get from new people is that “everyone is so welcoming.” I think having us spread across two gatherings will make those services more intimate and allow this strength of welcoming to shine even more.
3. It will create more opportunities to connect as a whole church.
The danger of two gatherings is that we could become disconnected from one another. However, every obstacle is an opportunity for greater intentionality. We are intentionally leaving space between our gatherings and will be serving coffee so that we can mix and mingle with each other. Plus, we will put even more emphasis on our monthly church picnic in the park and start doing them as early as April (weather permitting).
4. It will create more opportunities to experience the blessing of serving.
Having two gatherings creates a need for more people to step in and serve. That’s not a bad thing, but a good thing. It is a blessing to even be a doorkeeper in God’s house. And so, having more need for volunteers gives more people the opportunity to experience the blessing of service. And since we have two worship gatherings, no one has to miss the preaching of God’s word, but on the Sunday they serve, they can come to the other worship gathering and still participate.
I’m not sure if you are excited, concerned, or ambivalent about this change. But let’s be praying together as a community that God would meet us through it and do far more His glory than we could ever imagine.
Pastor Jeff