How Has Your Church Changed to Attract More Visitors?

[Captain Kaboom]

There's a church in Franklin, VA that is having a hard time getting people to come. The problem is obvious - the members that attend are old, unwilling to change and open their minds to new ideas and people. In a way, it is like a "good ol' boy" redneck type of thing that is going on: no change, no problem. They're the type of people that give Christianity a bad name, simple as that.

There's only one way I know to put a boot in the ass of these motherfuckers, and to bring this church out of the coma it is in, and that is to force a major overhaul of the way things are done. However, I am not a smart person; nor am I an effective speaker with a voice that will move people. Despite this, I would like to at least know what some of you have seen done to get people to come on Sunday. New church leader? New board of deacons or elders? Other incentives?


Now, to my Atheist friends:

Tolerant Atheists : Thank you for being intelligent and understanding, I appreciate your viewpoints, but I'm probably not going to respond to your anti-Christian arguments right now, should you present them here. Time is short, and I'm committed to this. Another time, perhaps.

Atheists that Representing the Atheist Viewpoint with the Attitude of a 3 year-old : Not looking for a fight, you won't convert me, and should you type something to the effect of "OMG LOLLERZ STOOPID KRISTIAN!!", I'm probably going to ignore you.

[Lord. Better Than You]

Lol, I object to your manipulative forking of tolerant or immature, but.....

They'd have to research the reasons why people converted

and

Why people don't want to go to church.



I find a lot of Christians may either have been born and rasied that way and never question it.

I find others were depressed and wanted some kind of answer (you know, an easy one)

Some may even have converted due to a "strange" event or feeling.

[Pilsu]

They need to put the fear back in the people, not resort to retarded Jesus Challenge campaigns

[Punk_Rocker_22]

"How Has Your Church Changed to Attract More Visitors?"

They stopped raping alter boys.

[SkinEatingClown]

Have you tried music during mass?

Youth groups?

Clubs within the church?

Church BBQs?

Community service that gets your church noticed out in the public?

fun stuff that brings the community together will attract people to your church, get some groups, events, and so forth going on that will attract people.


Also, why are you picking fights with atheists in your first post? seriously, Im offended as an atheist, so what I dont chare your faith, but I honestly am not goign to make a big deal about yours. If it makes you happy and gives you answers to questions science cant answer, then go ahead and believe, I wont stop you, but please, dont start shit with Atheists before anythings even been said.

Yeah someone may screw aroudn with you and give you crap, but its TOTSE, half the people here havent even hit puberty, they just troll around to start shit.


_________________________________
www.oddspot.org

[MRman]

ok, i'm an atheist... well buddhist actually... but the point is i obviously dont go to church or anything.
But 4 times a year at my school they have scripture. Me, not wanting to go to class i decide to go to scripture (i could go to jewish scripture but i dont think they would let me in being aryan and all... there aren't too many aryan jews lol). Anyways, some things that i've noticed is that most of the old people that used to come and talk to us dont anymore. They have a few sort of born again christians that are about 20 come in. Last time there was some pro skater that gave a talk. Once they had some christian rock band play some stuff. And at the end they always give us all these pamphlets(sp?) about up coming discos etc that just happen to be planned by the church... but there isn't really a biblical atmosphere at these parties at all.

So yeah, i dont know if that was exactly what you were looking for... but the whole thing is more youth-based and not so church-ish

[Lord. Better Than You]

Originally Posted by MRman

ok, i'm an atheist... well buddhist actually... but the point is i obviously dont go to church or anything.
But 4 times a year at my school they have scripture. Me, not wanting to go to class i decide to go to scripture (i could go to jewish scripture but i dont think they would let me in being aryan and all... there aren't too many aryan jews lol). Anyways, some things that i've noticed is that most of the old people that used to come and talk to us dont anymore. They have a few sort of born again christians that are about 20 come in. Last time there was some pro skater that gave a talk. Once they had some christian rock band play some stuff. And at the end they always give us all these pamphlets(sp?) about up coming discos etc that just happen to be planned by the church... but there isn't really a biblical atmosphere at these parties at all.

So yeah, i dont know if that was exactly what you were looking for... but the whole thing is more youth-based and not so church-ish

Lol, that sort of thing is laughable.

I'd consider trying to make Christianity seem "hip and trendy" as "giving false testimony".

It's not actually giving it to them straight.......it's more a form of manipulation.*


*Please don't get pedantic and say Christianity was based on manipulation.

[i poop in your cereal]

Some churches in Denmark has started a mobilephone campaign where you can send questions and shit to the priest from your mobilephone...

[MasterPython]

Ever heard of cowboy church?

[AngryFemme]

Originally Posted by Captain Kaboom

There's only one way I know to put a boot in the ass of these motherfuckers, and to bring this church out of the coma it is in, and that is to force a major overhaul of the way things are done. However, I am not a smart person; nor am I an effective speaker with a voice that will move people. Despite this, I would like to at least know what some of you have seen done to get people to come on Sunday. New church leader? New board of deacons or elders? Other incentives?

As an atheist, I'll focus more on the problem of attendance rather than why I feel that God is just a clever trick to get people to unite together in peace and harmony.

A congregation needs practitioners to thrive. Incentives definitely have to be offered in order to lure them there as repeat "customers". Ask yourself: Why should they show up on Sunday mornings and group together rather than worshipping in the privacy of their own homes?

Hire a marketing team already. They'll dream up a scheme or two to put the excitement back in it. Some modern art to replace the depressing scenes of crucifixions and last suppers might be less of a downer. Bring back the Wednesday night potlucks - people are drawn to free food. Fire the organ player, people hate that shit. A flute or harp would be far more uplifting. Instead of a collection plate being passed around, consider a raffle-slash-lottery. This will appeal to the gamblers and make it somewhat of a competition while raking in huge sums of cash for the overhead costs. Instead of reading scripture and focusing on commandments, focus on current events and make parody skits that mirror the obstacles each human being faces when deciding on which high road to take in certain predicaments.

Then you can have a Quiet Room in the back for people to worship in private, so it doesn't have to become a spectacle of people trying to one-up each other by displaying their spiritual commitments in front of everybody.

In the basement could be a spot where the not-quite-religious-yet-still-semi-faithful can fellowship with one another over loud music and mixed drinks. The folks upstairs won't mind much, they'll be chilling to the harp music, stuffing their faces with fruit from their neighbor's tables, and digging the Key Note Speaker of the night.

Towards the end, everyone can loiter in the parking lot together and back-slap each other, proud to be a part of such a diverse crowd that somehow all group together in peace, without bickering.