I have realized that we sometimes feel defeated when attendance in some services or programs is not where we would like. However, could the attendance be elsewhere. In other words, are the attending something else that is competing for their times as well?
If our church calendars are so full of stuff, especially during the same week or same night even, can we realistically expect our people to show?
My mid-week is down by nearly 50% since starting home groups. I am ok with that. Knowing most people will attend 2 services or functions a week, next to Sunday morning my home groups would be my next choice for them. If you don't want people going somewhere else, don't give the option and make sure what you provide is well worth their time!
Any thoughts on this? What are you doing to keep from competing against yourself?
Purpose! Purpose! Purpose! As long as we fulfill our purpose, size doesn't matter.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Todd. This morning, for example, our Men's Breakfast had a lower-than-usual attendance. But our Recovery Ministry had about 20 people doing a car-wash; and the Son's of Thunder Biker Ministry had a bunch of guys (and gals) out on a ride. But the beautiful thing is that a lot of men enjoyed fellowship. Since "fellowship" is the purpose for our Men's Breakfast, it didn't discourage me to see only a dozen guys at breakfast.
The same thing applies to Mid-week services. If our purpose is "discipleship" and "spiritual growth", then it doesn't matter if that happens in Bible studies, home groups, cell groups, or a mid-week service. That's my take!