This Sunday, September 18, is National Back to Church Sunday, when people in churches across the country are encouraged to invite their friends and neighbors to join them in church. More than 7500 U.S. churches are participating, including Lutheran, Assemblies of God, Methodist, and Nazerene churches in southern Wisconsin (although none actually in Madison, according to the event website).
Although participation seems limited in the Madison area, the idea is a good one. A quote from LifeWay Research, featured on the website, says, “82% of the unchurched are likely to attend church if invited.. yet only 2% of church members invite.”
Those who haven’t been to church in awhile may find that some changes have taken place.
For instance, some churches have done away with Sunday School. There are various reasons for that. According to one recent article, some churches have taken a stand against age-segregated activities and have also done away with all of their youth ministries. It’s an attempt to find a way to keep kids in church through childhood into adulthood. Some studies seem to indicate churches are losing their young people.
The music may also have changed. That’s historically been an issue that often causes controversy but one way or another almost every church still has some type of music. But these days it’s more common to sing off of a powerpoint display than out of a hymnal, although some churches do both.
According to The Christian Post, some churches are adding extra services this Sunday, to deal with anticipated increases in attendance. I will be in church, and also attending a Sunday morning Bible study before the service. Maybe I’ll see you there.