Volley #10

Volley #10: TEN SPECIAL SUNDAYS

All church leaders hope and pray that attendance on Sundays will be high, that members will be faithful and regular in participating in worship. But outside of a sense of duty, which is not one of our stronger motivations nowadays, why should they? If what will happen in church this Sunday is essentially the same as what happened last Sunday, haven’t they already “been there and done that?”

Yet, it is to be hoped the sermon will be different this week than last. The lessons will be different, as will the hymns. The sacrament of Eucharist will be a different experience, and equip the congregation for a different week, though the same event. The inner rings of the congregation membership understand that. But how about the less committed and formed members? The question is, how can we make it FEEL different? How can we help people understand that they would have missed something deeply meaningful and valuable to them if they had decided to sleep in or mow the grass that morning?

The pressure is on!

• Sermons must be clear and insightful, memorable and attention-getting, even enjoyable and entertaining-—every week.

• The liturgy must be presented in a dynamic, lively manner. Each server, lector, acolyte, and usher must be focused on the job at hand as if it were the most important thing going for them that morning—because it is.

• Music must be inspiring, appropriate, and expertly presented. If it is performed by a choir, that choir must be well-rehearsed and competent (otherwise, it is far better not to have one, tradition notwithstanding). If it is to be sung by the congregation, it must be music that congregation is capable and desirous of singing, not what the clergy and music director happen to like.

Let jokes about falling asleep in church cease to be repeated—because they no longer seem realistic.

Here’s a suggestion from “Start Up! Start Over!” to help make this happen: select TEN Sundays spread through the year to designate as “special Sundays,” at which something surprising and spectacular happens. Let it be something appropriate to the day, yet completely unexpected, the wilder the better. Prepare and rehearse all concerned, because pulling it off well is of crucial importance. Then, say your prayers, and let ‘er rip! There is a wide array of possible choices to work with, but here is a short list of suggestions: colorful banners, flags, and streamers; dancers, tumblers, jugglers, clowns, magicians, animals; costumes, dramas, unusual vestments and hangings; sound effects like gongs, bells, and electronic media; scents like incense or flowers; special music, musicians, and instruments; special lighting, processions and props. There are so many possibilities. Just make it holy, use it to help bring the focus to an appropriate and meaningful point, and use it to make worship refreshing, fun, and memorable.

Make those absentees sorry they missed it.

Can’t manage ten Sundays per year? OK, choose FIVE. But do something!