Site icon Author Peter DeHaan

A Missed Opportunity

Should Changing Seasons Impact When Church Meets?

The Summer Church Schedule

Just down the road from the congregation that cancelled their service because of their summer church schedule is Church #8.

We enjoyed our visit there but later realized it was solely because of one significant interaction we had after the service. The rest of the congregation ignored us, and little else stood out.

When I encouraged a friend to visit the church, not a single person talked to her. She’ll never go back. I suspect that’s the norm, with our experience being an anomaly.

At first I wanted to visit again, but I later decided it didn’t matter. Yet today a return trip seems our best option.

A month ago, we received a flyer in the mail stating they now have three Sunday morning services: 9:00, 10:15, and 11:30. We arrive at 10:17, two minutes late for their second service.

The parking lot is full, and one person enters the building just before us. Unlike last time, however, there’s no greeter. But there are people milling about, despite most of the congregation sitting in the sanctuary, singing.

A Music Only Service

We can slide into a back row, but before we do, I make eye contact with a woman roaming the lobby. “Did the service just start?”

“No, it’s almost over. They’ll be done in about fifteen minutes.”

“Oh. I thought you had a 10:15 service.”

“We did, but we changed times this week for the summer. Now the services are at 9:30 and 11:00.” It is their summer church schedule.

We nod, as we ponder what to do.

“Our minister’s gone this week, so we’re singing the entire service.”

I look at my bride. Her face tells me she doesn’t want to stay. “The music’s really lame,” she whispers. She’s right. I don’t think I can deal with it for an hour.

I turn back to the woman. “Thank you for letting us know. I think we’ll come back when your minister’s here.” My explanation is merely an excuse to give us a graceful exit, since we don’t want to stick around.

A church service shouldn’t require a minister or even to have a message. Church is whenever people gather, focused on God. But this is a gathering that doesn’t do well at embracing outsiders, so we leave.

I don’t plan on returning, even though I told the lady we would.

Other Church Service Considerations

Back in our car and having failed twice to go to church, I suggest Church #3 or Church #5, both with 11:00 a.m. starting times. Near each other, we drive in that direction as we discuss options.

Church #3 had an atypical service when we visited, so a return trip should give us a more common experience. Yet I don’t expect we’d encounter anything new, so I don’t really want to go back.

Church #5 was our first Roman Catholic experience. With several friends who attend this church, there’s a pull to return. Though hard to follow, with practice we could one day learn to embrace their liturgical services.

Given this, another visit would be good. There’s too much time, however, between now and 11:00, so we would need to find something to do for half an hour.

As we continue to drive, my bride suggests Church #2, which we’ve already revisited. Since then they moved out of their storefront location and are meeting at the local school. This also gives them the space to have one service instead of two.

Though we think we know which school building they meet in (down the street from Church #3), we don’t know what time.

My better half wants to try anyway.

I don’t. “Let’s go some other week, when we can verify the time and arrive early.”

She says nothing.

Then we discuss just returning home. Though tempting, we don’t.

Takeaway

If your church has a different summer church schedule, how well do you do at communicating it? Does the change in times confuse and frustrate visitors?

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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