I'm willing to bet that your church shows an increased number of attendees on Easter.
Your particular area might not see the "rush" as much as most, but we're all familiar with the fact that, typically, Christmas and Easter bring back family members and friends and occasionally those unfamiliar with the church who are visiting on the High Holy Days.
I don't care if you're in the hippest, coolest mall-turned-worship-center or in a building 2,000 years old, I think almost everybody puts on "a show" at Easter. Some of us do it for all of the guests or folks we think may not be in relationship with God. Some of us do it for ourselves - a little dash of pageantry to brighten up the day.
I'd like to know your thoughts...
First of all, does your church put on a show?
And secondly, why?
I think we're all from pretty varied faith-families and I'd love to get an idea of what Easter looks like for you all. (And don't be afraid to get specific...I WANT to hear about that goat you bring into the choir loft!)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Show...
Posted by Todd Wright at 12:29 PM
Labels: church, easter sunday, ministry, worship
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11 comments:
We're doing Keith Green's "Easter Song" during the offertory, and putting some lilies on the altar. There will be a celebration in the Parish Hall afterward (I'm bringing the bubbly). That's the extent of our show, unless you count the extra Holy Week services on Thursday and Friday.
Oh, and breaking out the '94 Messina Hof Tawny Port for the Sacramental wine.
Keith Green's "Easter Song"... what a bunch of plastic sell-outs. I bet your giving out copies of "Your Best Life Now" on their way out the door.
Shame, shame, shame...
Keith Green's "Easter Song"... I am beside myself with indignation.
I think there is a barely perceptible back beat to that thing that practically invites the demons into your service. Well, I hope the Warren/Hybels crowd is happy... now "Easter Song" is going to be filling up the auditoriums all over the country. It's the last days... it's gotta be the last days.
Oh... and if that one gets moderated.
Sounds nice, johnny... I think I would like to be in a service like that... and I would, of course, be attending the after-party.
I don't think we do anything different -- maybe some eastery songs in worship.
We usually have a couple special music pieces (sometimes a solo guitar player, a vocalist to a track, or opera piece).
Why? Well, let's face it - televised church services have opened this door for the rest of us. I don't have any big qualms with it - as long as the entire service is not completely changed. I think our church doesn't have to undergo some massive face lift on Easter and Christmas to accommodate a perception that others who don't typically attend have.
I just think it's funny that the words "Hof Tawny" can now be found my blog.
Honestly, we don't do anything different. I'm sure the music minister will bust out some thematically appropriate songs for both congregation and choir. Other than that, the Paster will just preach the Word as always. Which is fine with me....I don't need all the other crap to try and impress people that are just there for Easter. Let the Word impress them, if anything.
Okay, let me ask this...
Why?
Why do some churches change up so much on Easter? Is it for mere celebration or is it for the lost?
Or is too varied church to church? Is there no majority approach to Easter?
Don't take offense to this ...
but majority approach ... isn't that part of the problem with churches today ? gotta stay up with XYZ ...
<<< note to self >>>
stay in the box - stay in the boat - nothing new - nothing fresh
And I am with Lance -- if this gets edited -- I'll just go with ...
Let's all get together and decide what 5 traditional hymn songs we need to sing ... when the offering will be gathered ... unity and conformity is definitely the key ...
I wish we didn't change things up so much ... but alas ... we do
I can honestly say that I own Your Best Life Now: The Board Game.
Not proud of saying it, but I can.
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