In This Forum, can we discuss 'Church Issues' as well as overall organized religion debates?

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

Asking before I get too involved...

but I have a question about actual 'in my church, we have tried.. and it did/didnt work so then we..' type stuff. Just curious.. no need to flame or bash.

Love to ALL!

[dewsgirl]

1. Kicking for you, I have no idea.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

12. YOU ROCK!

[dewsgirl]

30. Aww, I see you got some answers. 😊

[Cartoonist]

2. We love church issues

We welcome all opportunities to criticize religion.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

3. ahahaha... well HERE IS ONE...

My church (I'm the Office Manager but gets involved in almost everything.. that's just me).

We have 3 services...

the first two are all Traditional with a Chancel Choir...

the last in Contemporary with 'Praise Band' (who IMHO are boring as heck)...

we have decent attendance in the Traditional...

but the Contemporary... we'd save money by not having it....
but it's NOT about money (you naysayers! BEGONE! LOL)

The dilemma is.. for the office staff.. how do we promote/market the Contemporary to get more souls in the seats?

[msongs]

4. if heaven is not good enuff give away toasters and trips to the ark museum nt

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

8. Seriously a toaster oven is better than ......

<wink>

[Cartoonist]

5. Move it up

Back when I had to go to church, I went to the earliest service just to get it over with.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

9. Our early service is now 65+

You know the only folks up that early!

[SCantiGOP]

6. Justfivemoreminutes:

I don’t think you will get the courtesy of many serious replies here.
I’m not a believer, but this forum is usually too caustic for my tastes.
There are probably other forums more suited to your topic.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

10. Thank you.. I figured as much... but then again I was graced by God with a Smart Ass!

and I dont mean the one who brought Mary to Bethlehem!

[littlemissmartypants]

14. Hahaha!

[TomSlick]

7. Not to nay-say - well, at least not just to nay-say -

but if folks aren't coming to the "contemporary" service, aren't they telling the Church something?

I don't find "contemporary" services worth the effort. Idiotic "praise songs" about how awesome God it, are hard to bear. The God of Abraham is not my good buddy.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

11. Your thoughts seem to mirror mine.. especially when

'PRAISE BAND' means to listening to less than average singers with no back up except percusssion.

And that's truly my dilemma.... going to leadership and saying 'HAVE YOU BEEN to a contemporary service and stayed interested?" Ugh.

[TomSlick]

16. In my experience, the "Praise Band" consists of a really bad guitar player,

an only sightly better bass player, and a kid on a drum set who can't seem to be able to count. On a really bad day, there will be some guy apparently trying to strangle a sax.

The crux of a "contemporary" service is bad music being poorly performed.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

23. WOW! You've been to my church??!! You should have said HI! :)

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

22. COULD BE.. but it IS boring... I wouldn't even go! But local churches...

.. with the raise the roof, get out of your seat... seem to be doing well!

And there is the true issue... how can I tell leadership I'm in my 60s and find your contemporary service YAWN worthy!!!

[littlemissmartypants]

15. Free food. Most people find it hard to refuse snacks and there are many who go around hungry.

If that doesn't work try changing the time or even limiting the band to one Sunday a month or every other Sunday. Track the attendance and if you find a relationship between the band and attendance, consider changing the band's calendar or eliminate the band completely.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

24. THANK YOU! Great points!

[Major Nikon]

17. Free sacramental wine

Two glasses max. After that it’s a $5 minimum donation per glass.

Four free glasses each if you bring in a new member.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

25. we did talk about doing a $2 surcharge for sitting in the 4 back pews!

Nobody wanted to be the 'money-lender' hahahah

[guillaumeb]

19. If the traditional services are more popular,

What do the demographics look like in a comparison of the traditional people versus the contemporary people?

And have you tried asking the people which type they prefer, and why?

I am certain that you have already done these things, but asking people what they would like to see in each type of service might help you make decisions going forward.

[AtheistCrusader]

21. Change the content or the band, or both.

Maybe try a couple guest bands for a while, just to shake things up. If that doesn't work, try new songs. Mumford and Sons have a few that are part Shakespeare, part religious, might work as a change of pace. (Timshel, Roll Away Your Stone, etc.)

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

26. Wow.. yes!! Thank you!

[littlemissmartypants]

13. I hope so! If you don't find open hearts and welcoming words here

There are 11 or twelve more groups related to religion on the forum. ❤



https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1217

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

27. Thank you sooo much! Blessings for all!

[Voltaire2]

18. You might find one of the protected

religious groups a better fit, although they are pretty dead.

This forum is the theists vs atheists food fight forum.

[guillaumeb]

20. I like cat food and dog food.

If you follow my meaning.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

29. As long as eitherboth are not LIVER! GROSS! hahahah

[guillaumeb]

32. True. eom

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

28. Actually I find the NaySayers a good resource! Does that make sense?

[TomSlick]

31. It does. I'm open to the opinions of others, whether or not I agree.

The lesson I have learned is to read and not argue or plead for civility.

If it hurts your feelings to be told you are simple minded or actively psychotic, this ain't your site. I spent the better part of thirty years in the Army so I've been called worse. My feelings aren't easily bruised.