I'm curious about the photo with lots of people in the sanctuary? Do you have more thoughts on what kind of photos of the church/congregation are most helpful in church advertising, websites, social media? (I'm generally of the opinion that photos of a more empty sanctuary, or one with very people worshipping, are not terribly inviting to new folks.)
Agree…this is a random personal view…I think if the sanctuary is too full, then the church is too busy to care about or welcome new people. But an empty place looks desperate! Pleasantly full, with some space, and a photo that shows people’s faces, is the ideal!
hmmmm, hoo boy, I have thought about this one all week. I can't say I have any kind of perspective on "church rants" because I've only experienced a few churches in my lifetime and while they're (mostly) all the same denomination, they're all completely different. And I'm sure others will come up with very serios and well thought through completely valid issues. But my rant about Christian churches is about communion, and how for some in our community who can't have gluten or alcohol need to be part of the whole church body. Another way of saying it is that I'm very appreciative and glad for congregations who don't make their members feel weird if they have dietary or addiction-related restrictions when it comes to communion, the thing that binds us all together.
Oh boy. Having come from a church re-development background, I would like to get rid of the "re" and start from scratch at this point! I'm fortunate enough to serve a church where they embrace the different and new and actually practice what they "think " they are. Many of the churches that I have counseled just want to go back in time to when the sanctuaries were full of people who "all think like we do". Sigh. My one advice to churches looking to embrace the new world of today? Get behind a mission and a vision for your church that feels totally God led and commit to radical change, radical hospitality and radical servanthood. If we live in an era where 28% of the population now choose "none" status in the religious checkbox, then we need to seriously rethink the purpose of the church. We have become so doctrine and denominational driven ( man made rules) instead of "love your neighbor as yourself" driven, that we need to start over. My 2 cents. ( and I live it everyday like you!)
I like changing the language of “being a welcoming church” to “being an inviting church.” I guest preach at least twice a month and find many welcoming churches. Some are really lacking though. And very few go beyond welcoming toward making acts that invite connection.
I would love to find a church where I feel at home. I have not yet found one. Not necessarily the church’s fault. Maybe I haven’t put enough time into it.
I recently went to a catholic funeral. I was brought up in the Lutheran ways. At the catholic funeral for my long time friend I went up for communion and I feel like because I didn’t know the correct gestures the priest just patted me and I felt like he did not consider me one of them.
I find great comfort reading scripture and it is that that makes me feel most connected to God. I know there is much I’m missing by not finding a community of people within a church. But I just haven’t found that yet. Still looking. ❤️.
That lack of welcoming new comers is why I looked outside the Catholic Church, even though I was raised Catholic! Love my reformed church family & our wonderful pastor🩷
Always loved when I attended Catholic services. There's no bulletin. No one hands you the booklet at the end of the pew to know how to participate. I love to sing. When I was a kid I was told by my Catholic-friend that I sing too loud. They don't "allow" non-Catholics to take communion. I was interested, but makes it difficult to see love when you're discluded from participating
As a Presbyterian minister whose call is to hospital chaplaincy, I've visited many churches as a guest, sometimes where my friends are working or a new location I happen to be visiting. I see myself as a "secret shopper of sorts" I will introduce myself to the usher or those around me, saying something like it's my first time here. And I'm shocked by the lack of hospitality they display! 🤦🏼♀️
I'm curious about the photo with lots of people in the sanctuary? Do you have more thoughts on what kind of photos of the church/congregation are most helpful in church advertising, websites, social media? (I'm generally of the opinion that photos of a more empty sanctuary, or one with very people worshipping, are not terribly inviting to new folks.)
Agree…this is a random personal view…I think if the sanctuary is too full, then the church is too busy to care about or welcome new people. But an empty place looks desperate! Pleasantly full, with some space, and a photo that shows people’s faces, is the ideal!
hmmmm, hoo boy, I have thought about this one all week. I can't say I have any kind of perspective on "church rants" because I've only experienced a few churches in my lifetime and while they're (mostly) all the same denomination, they're all completely different. And I'm sure others will come up with very serios and well thought through completely valid issues. But my rant about Christian churches is about communion, and how for some in our community who can't have gluten or alcohol need to be part of the whole church body. Another way of saying it is that I'm very appreciative and glad for congregations who don't make their members feel weird if they have dietary or addiction-related restrictions when it comes to communion, the thing that binds us all together.
Yes, very important!
Oh boy. Having come from a church re-development background, I would like to get rid of the "re" and start from scratch at this point! I'm fortunate enough to serve a church where they embrace the different and new and actually practice what they "think " they are. Many of the churches that I have counseled just want to go back in time to when the sanctuaries were full of people who "all think like we do". Sigh. My one advice to churches looking to embrace the new world of today? Get behind a mission and a vision for your church that feels totally God led and commit to radical change, radical hospitality and radical servanthood. If we live in an era where 28% of the population now choose "none" status in the religious checkbox, then we need to seriously rethink the purpose of the church. We have become so doctrine and denominational driven ( man made rules) instead of "love your neighbor as yourself" driven, that we need to start over. My 2 cents. ( and I live it everyday like you!)
I agree, I really like the Anglican choral services! Regularity👍
I like changing the language of “being a welcoming church” to “being an inviting church.” I guest preach at least twice a month and find many welcoming churches. Some are really lacking though. And very few go beyond welcoming toward making acts that invite connection.
I like that a lot! Nice change!
I would love to find a church where I feel at home. I have not yet found one. Not necessarily the church’s fault. Maybe I haven’t put enough time into it.
I recently went to a catholic funeral. I was brought up in the Lutheran ways. At the catholic funeral for my long time friend I went up for communion and I feel like because I didn’t know the correct gestures the priest just patted me and I felt like he did not consider me one of them.
I find great comfort reading scripture and it is that that makes me feel most connected to God. I know there is much I’m missing by not finding a community of people within a church. But I just haven’t found that yet. Still looking. ❤️.
I hope you find the right place. It’s a big gift to feel at home somewhere.
That lack of welcoming new comers is why I looked outside the Catholic Church, even though I was raised Catholic! Love my reformed church family & our wonderful pastor🩷
Always loved when I attended Catholic services. There's no bulletin. No one hands you the booklet at the end of the pew to know how to participate. I love to sing. When I was a kid I was told by my Catholic-friend that I sing too loud. They don't "allow" non-Catholics to take communion. I was interested, but makes it difficult to see love when you're discluded from participating
I love the regularity of the mass…and hate the exclusion from the table.
Fortunately the church I belong to is very welcoming , and I love it there. Thanks for helping to create that environment Mary!
Thanks, Kris. Always hoping to do better!
As a Presbyterian minister whose call is to hospital chaplaincy, I've visited many churches as a guest, sometimes where my friends are working or a new location I happen to be visiting. I see myself as a "secret shopper of sorts" I will introduce myself to the usher or those around me, saying something like it's my first time here. And I'm shocked by the lack of hospitality they display! 🤦🏼♀️
Yes! Sigh. I had the same experience when I was free to visit churches on Sundays. And even when I was the guest preacher!