That’s what many visitors are wondering today in churches across the country.
It’s my hope that churches around the country spent more time answering that question today than anything else.
Jesus tore the veil between us and God. His death eliminated the need for a High Priest to represent us to God. Jesus looked at a hodgepodge group of sinners, tax collectors, political nut cases, prostitutes, and fishermen and said to them… “on you I will build my church.” That’s hope for you and I. A church is a community of messy people.
We aren’t very priestly. We aren’t entirely seperate from sin. But what we are is atoned for and stumbling towards faith. Two steps forward, one step back.
Do I fit in here?That is the question visitors want answered.
If church is all about reaching numbers than this is Super Bowl Week for church.
If you work in a church, holy week is kind of hell week. Church staff can’t wait for Monday. (Speaking as a former church staffer!) Weeks of planning and putting together a marketing plan, an event plan, a parking plan, and a planning session to make sure all of the plans are lined up.
Here’s the dirty secret:Easter strategery doesn’t lead to long term benefits to 99% of churches.
- While attendance is high on Easter morning, engagement is at an all-time low.
- While production is high on Easter morning, these are largely the same people who saw the Easter show last year and weren’t effectively changed.
- While tensions are high on Easter morning, people who are coming aren’t coming to find a church… they are there to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.
I’m not sure how Easter became the Christian Super Bowl, but I do know a better plan.
- Make the Easter service and the events leading up to it about Jesus.
- Instead of the whole thing leading up to a Gospel presentation (Built on the false assumption that visitors aren’t believers in the resurrection… I mean, why would they be there?) why not make the service a kick-off in how you can get involved in living out the message of Jesus in your community? (Romeo nailed this last year IMO) I’m not saying we should share the Gospel, but I’m thinking we should all remember that the Gospel is all these Christmas and Easter folks hear at church. Maybe that’s why they think your church is irrelevant?
- Instead of hosting an experience people won’t see for the next 12 months, why not invest that energy in meeting the practical needs of the people who come? A gift card for groceries says “I love you” way more than hiring a band.A warm handshake and an open heart is way more valuable then an Easter play.
- Instead of marketing hype, why not invest in relationship hype?
- Instead of stressing out the staff, why not send a message to the community that the church is healthy by “forcing” the staff to work less and experience Holy Week?
- Perhaps it is time most churches took an old school approach to Easter morning, let the visitors come. Invite them back. But don’t bend over backwards for people who are only committed to coming Easter and Christmas. While it is an “opportunity” I think it’s more a distraction from the people who really want to grow in Jesus than an opportunity to reach those who have already decided to be nominal.
Side note to those who don’t get what I’m talking about: Imagine the pageantry that you’ll experience at your church this weekend. Now, multiply that by every church and your community. Then envision that across the country… what you’ll see is an “Easter industry” that is as weird as the the Easter aisle at Target. It just doesn’t fit, but we accept it!
I actually like the candy covered marshmallow goodness. They are strangely addicting and I am certain that they somehow properly reflect the serious nature of Easter. This video is dedicated the the millions of peeps who have given their lives at the hands of middle schoolers armed with boredom and a microwave.
Anyone who was at the service last night will remember this video. (Totally digging the subwoofer on this one) I blushed when a couple of people assumed that I made the video… I wish! Here it is.
By the way, if you are somehow on the bubble about the service tommorow… it’s going to be worth it! 7 kids have chosen to follow Jesus and get baptized, including our daughter Megan. It’s going to be awesome!
Think about this, you you are an egg, today is dipping day. Millions and perhaps billions of eggs will be boiled, cooled, then dipped in some sort of dye.
Sure, Easter eggs themselves have pagan roots… but Christianity is a religion that redemptively uses other culturally relevant traditions and customs all the time.
This is pretty raw. But it shows what we were up to and how much fun it was. Again, thanks to all that helped pull this one off. I think there were about 25 volunteers… awesome!
This weekend is Romeo’s annual community Easter Egg hunt. (see video of last years event) This is put on by Romeo Parks & Rec department and has become a favorite of my kids. They only thing that they like doing as much is the first high school football game when they have a big party [...]
That’s what many visitors are wondering today in churches across the country. 
