God has blessed me with the wonderful privilege of being a Christian apologist. Part of this calling includes traveling around North America and teaching at different churches in different denominations, encouraging Christians to stand strong in the truth and contend for the faith (1 Peter 3:15; Jude 1:3). It truly is a blessing to be able to do this.
When I’m at different churches I occasionally see things that are being done that stand out to me, things that make me say “Hmm! That is an interesting way of doing things! I think I like that!”
So, I’ve been writing these things down for a while with the hope that passing them along to other pastors might prove beneficial as they ponder how to best serve God’s people. Most pastors I have talked with are kicking around the question, “What can we do better? What can we do differently?” They know the importance of loving the people, solid teaching, good worship, etc. But they also know that everything from the signs out front to the paper towel dispensers in the bathrooms affects the experience people have when they come to their church. So, with the desire to help pastors and their staff think about different possibilities regarding ministry, I humbly, and in love, offer this list of ideas.
(Newest ideas are at the end of this article)
1. Youth-integrated gatherings.
I am seeing more and more churches include their junior and senior high kids in their Sunday morning gatherings. I think there is some real wisdom in this. Many kids who grow up in Christian churches fall through the cracks after high school. They fall off the radar as far as the church is concerned. Only a small percentage seem to go on and get connected to the main congregation. One of the reasons why is that these young men and women are suddenly thrust out of the high school group and told to start attending church with adults they’ve never met. Well, for a variety of reasons that is a huge challenge for them. Not only do they not know the adults, they don’t know the pastor. There are no video games to entertain them before the service.* The worship is often different. It is an uncomfortable experience, to say the least. And unfortunately, many young people do not make the transition. If we want them to continue to be a part of the church family as they head into adulthood, why not start including them in adult gatherings at a younger age? Integrating the youth into the main gatherings doesn’t mean that we end our youth groups. Many of the churches that include the youth in the main sanctuary on Sunday mornings still have a youth night during the week and do some fun activities outside the church, etc.
* I’m a bit surprised that some youth pastors feel the need to offer video games to kids on Sunday mornings at church. It seems to me that kids have enough time to play games during the week. Many kids’ social skills and grades suffer because of the large amount of time they devote to gaming. And then they come to church and we offer them more game time? Baffling.
2. Including young children during worship.
There is wisdom in having young children participate in classes where they can be taught the Bible at a level they will understand. But something I’ve seen more and more that I like is the inclusion of young children in the main sanctuary for the time of worship before the Bible study. What a blessing for families to worship together! After the time of worship, the congregation can be encouraged to spend 8–10 minutes greeting each other, grabbing a cup of coffee or a muffin, meeting new people, and parents with young children can be excused to check their young children into their Sunday school classes. This extended time of fellowship allows for something far more meaningful to take place than the popular “Turn and greet your neighbor (and sit right back down!).”
3. Shorter worship on the front end, longer on the back end.
Worship times seem to be sweeter after a time in God’s Word than before. And yet, most congregations seem to stack the worship on the front end and then close with a short song, right after God’s people have had their hearts stirred to worship! I think there might be some wisdom in reversing this and starting with two or three songs (then dismissing the kids if no. 2 above is implemented), and then maybe closing with three or four. I’m starting to see this at more churches, and I think I like it!
4. Quiet time to pray on your own.
I taught at a church a while back and after the second or third worship song, the pastor prayed and before saying “Amen,” encouraged the congregation to take the next couple of minutes to pray quietly on their own. This was refreshing. So many church gatherings today are so structured there is little quiet time or opportunity for a person to express their own prayer to God. The worship leader tells everybody when to stand, and when to sit, leads us in worship and prayer, then announcements, teaching, closing prayer, closing song, and dismissal. What a blessing to have a couple of minutes of quiet interlude (with maybe a bit of instrumental music in the background) to express our own words to God in prayer. Selah!
5. Communion elements available at every gathering.
A lot of churches have a special communion service once a month where bread and grape juice are available for God’s people to remember our Lord. What about just having little tables set up in different places around the sanctuary (even near the back) every week where people can partake of the communion elements during worship? There doesn’t need to be an explanation every week about what communion is (most of God’s people know) maybe just a short reminder from the worship leader about the fact that the bread and the cup are available. What a blessing for God’s people to partake of communion often and as their hearts are ready. And don’t forget to leave the elements in the nursing mom’s room, the family room, the green room (for the worship team, guest speakers), etc.
6. Including sons and daughters on retreats.
A lot of churches have men’s retreats and separate times for the ladies, great getaway opportunities for people to grow in their relationship with the Lord. How about encouraging fathers to bring their sons and mothers their daughters? Considering the state of young people today, it seems obvious that young men and women could benefit from some extra time with their parents, especially in a retreat-like setting. If we really want our sons and daughters to grow up to be godly men and women, why not let them spend time with godly men and women?
7. Bringing potential deacons before the church.
The pastor of a church I taught at in New York recently brought potential deacons before the congregation at the end of announcements and explained how the pastors at the church thought these men would make good deacons, but that the pastoral staff wanted to hear from the congregation (“So over the next week, we want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly regarding these guys. If you know something we should know about them that might disqualify them from being a deacon, we want to know…”) What a great idea! I think there is a lot of wisdom in doing this. One of the qualifications for deacons—and there are many (see 1 Tim. 3:8–12)—is that they must be beyond reproach. What better way to find out if a person is beyond reproach than by inviting the congregation to give you feedback on the individuals being considered for this important position?
8. Offering parenting seminars or conferences.
Parenting is a huge challenge. I have five kids. I know. I am constantly talking with married couples around the country who need help in this great task. How encouraging it is to see that more churches are holding parenting seminars, parenting conferences and even parenting classes. These can be good events to invite nonbelievers to as well. If you are considering doing this but are wondering about a guest speaker, you might contact Craig Caster with Family Discipleship Ministries. Many of my pastor friends highly recommend him.
9. Better looking websites.
I am amazed at how many churches still have old-looking websites with poor-quality photographs (if any), clipart from old Microsoft Word programs, and very little information. Well, for the younger generation who spends so much time surfing the web, and watching high-definition television screens, this is unacceptable! Why would a young person who is interested in finding a church in his neighborhood consider going to a church that instantly appears out of step the moment he opens their website? Very few people visit a church today without first visiting the church’s website. Websites are the front doors, even the foyer, into the church. They should be current, vibrant, and beautiful. Here is one person’s list of 25 of the best church websites for 2018. Let these inspire!
Also, you might tuck the “Give” and “Donate” buttons down away at the bottom of the site somewhere. I wouldn’t put them on the top row of links. You don’t want newcomers to think that’s what you like to talk about (what they can give to the church). Also, I think it is wiser to say “Donations” (rather than “Give” or “Donate”) as both “Give” and “Donate” sound like imperative commands—a bit too strong—whereas “Donations” shows the person where to click if making a donation is something the Lord is leading the person to do.
10. Welcome video on the church website.
Think about allowing a creative team of people in your church to film and put together a two or three-minute “welcome video” where people who are considering visiting the church can meet the pastor and maybe get a little tour around the building so they can know what to expect the first time they come, etc.
11. Church service times and location on the church homepage.
If it takes someone more than thirty seconds to find when and where your church services are, you are going to frustrate people. Make those details easy to find right on the church’s homepage. Don’t just bury them under the “About Us” or “Are You New?” tabs. Here is a good example.
12. Saving money and paper by sending out e-bulletins.
Some churches spend more than a thousand dollars a month on toner and paper, printing up full-color bulletins…most of which end up in the trash after a quick glance. If you’d like to save the church money (who doesn’t?), I suggest sending out an interactive online church bulletin every Friday to your congregation. I think it’s safe to assume that 95% of the people in your congregation have a computer and a large percentage of them have smart phones, so accessing the bulletin will not be a problem. My friend Jeret, former graphic artist at Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills, California, created an easy-to-use program that will help you create and send beautiful bulletins to your congregation. Lots of churches are using it and loving it! Check out how they can help you out at Bulletin Plus.
13. Keeping worship song selection current and fresh.
I have noticed in my travels around north America that churches that don’t keep their song selection current and fresh (and by that, I mean incorporating newer, current, popular worship songs into their sets) are not successfully reaching (and therefore, ministering to) 18-40-year-olds and young families. People this age just do not seem to stay at the churches that continue with an “old school” worship vibe. It’s uninspiring to them. And so, churches that are still doing “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” (loved it in 1990!) with maybe something as current as “Shout to the Lord” are dwindling in size and growing old. The average age of the fellowships that do this seems to be about 50–65. So, I suggest to pastors, if they are interested in reaching younger people, that they talk with their worship leaders about this and give them some direction on what they would like to see change. Now, having said this, I am not suggesting we abandon the old songs. I love the old songs and hymns occasionally mixed in with the newer songs. There is a place for them. But there are also reasons why the Bible says, “Sing to Him a new song (Psalm 33:3).”
14. Updating the church’s interior décor.
I have noticed another characteristic of aging churches (where 75% or more of the congregation is made up of 50 to 90 year olds)—they almost always have outdated décor. Of course this isn’t the only reason these churches are failing to attract and retain young people. But I think it is a factor. Young people come into the church and look around. The building looks like it was decorated back in the seventies or eighties and never updated. The sanctuary has old carpet, worn out chairs, and thirty-year-old satin banners on the walls decorated with fake flowers layered in dust. Young people (whether they are Christians or non-Christians) look around and immediately feel out of place. It’s like nowhere they hang out. If you want young people and their families to call your fellowship their “home” church, I encourage you to think about taking down most of the things they would never put in their home. I would ditch the fake flowers, donate the old banners, lose the fake marble columns, repaint the purple walls, etc. If or when finances permit, I would remove the old carpet, replace old tile, put in new faucets and touchless paper towel dispensers in the bathrooms, etc. Need ideas? Ask the 20–35 year olds in the church. Can’t afford a major over-haul? Well, start by doing the little things the church can afford—painting, removing banners, etc. That won’t cost hardly anything. But also make it known to the church congregation, that the young people in the church have some ideas on updating the church décor and that the pastoral team would love for people to help out with the make over. You may be surprised at how many jump at the chance to help tear stuff out, paint, etc.
15. Bookmarking the passage in the loaner/give-away Bibles.
Your church probably already passes out loaner- or give-away Bibles at the beginning of a teaching for the sake of new people or those who don’t own a Bible. Great! But I was teaching at a church recently that took it a step further. They slipped bookmarks (something as simple as a church business card) into the Bibles to the page where we were going to have everyone turn. Of course, most people who need a loaner Bible don’t know their way around the Bible very well. And because of that, they will have a hard time finding the place the pastor tells them to turn to. A Bible that is bookmarked right to the passage will help them turn right to the passage and read along. And speaking of these Bibles, if your church can afford it, I do encourage you to make those “loaner” Bibles “give-away” Bibles. Tell the people, “If you don’t own a Bible, this is our gift to you. We want you to keep it.” A Bible in their home could change their lives.
16. Free gym at the church.
This was a first, and I thought worth mentioning. A church in New York state turned part of their building (an unused classroom) into a gym with exercise equipment and offers “free gym memberships” to people in the community via a sign out on the road and on their website. I think this is an interesting idea. Churches use VBS, concerts, plays, etc., to invite non-Christians to church. If your church has the space for some used exercise equipment, weights, etc., why not pray about a small gym to attract people who want to get in shape or stay in shape? There are people in your community who cannot afford a gym membership who might jump at the idea of a gym close to their house, right there at your church. And when non-Christians are in the gym, they will be running into and interacting with Christians, pastors, church employees, etc.
17. Alternatives to the dreaded “Turn and greet your neighbor” time.
Mentioning this is going to ruffle some feathers. I’d guess that about 75% of church services in the USA have a “Turn and say hi to someone you don’t know” moment on Sunday mornings. But surveys have shown that just about everyone (visitors and established church members, with the lone exception of strong extroverts) hate the “Turn and greet one another” time. And the surveys have raised a variety of good reasons the practice should probably be abandoned and replaced with better alternatives, some of which Thomas Rainer lays out below:
• “Seven Steps Churches Are Taking to Replace the Stand-and-Greet Time”
• “Should Your Church Stop Having a Stand and Greet Time?”
I was at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Irvine, California, where Greg Laurie is the pastor. I liked the way they handled this issue the Sunday I was there. I’m not sure how they do it on a regular basis. But after worship and a time of prayer, Pastor Greg just said something like, “You can be seated.” Then he went into the time of teaching. But after the closing song at the end of the service, one of the pastors said something like, “Hang around for a while. Say hi to people, visit our cafe.” The introverts and germophobes who dread talking to strangers and shaking hands can head to the doors if they’d like, and those who enjoy chatting with friends and strangers are encouraged to stick around and fellowship. I thought this struck a good balance. Something to consider and pray about.
I will continue to add to this list as I’m inspired to do so. I hope it was helpful! Let me know if you have any good suggestions. God bless.
CHARLIE H. CAMPBELL
is an itinerant Christian apologist, the founder of ABR, and the author of several books and videos, some of which include:
• Archaeological Evidence for the Bible
• One-Minute Answers to Skeptics
• Dakota Knox & the Archaeology Thief + Dakota Knox: London, Love, & Terror + Dakota Knox: Nightmare at the Museum
• Scrolls & Stones: Compelling Evidence the Bible Can Be Trusted
• Evidence for God
• The Case for Christianity
• The Bible’s Scientific Accuracy and Foresight
• Answering Atheists
• The Case for the Resurrection
• If God is Loving, Why is there Evil and Suffering?
• Apologetics Quotes
• The End Times and Beyond: A Concise, Chronological Overview of End-Time Bible Prophecies
• Dad, Does God Exist? + Dad, Why Do We Believe the Bible?
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Charlie Campbell speaks at churches and conferences throughout the year. If you're a pastor and would like him to speak at your church or event, please contact ABR here and let us know.
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• Some churches + conferences where Charlie has taught
• Available topics
• Sample teachings (audio)