Sunday's

Living in Otter Tail County in Minnesota means that there are a few very popular Sunday's on the church calendar. We live in the middle of an area that most of the world thinks of as vacation. Therefore, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day means a three day weekend and it means that our areas population really swells during this time. As I write this it is 4th of July weekend. I can tell that by the loud booms and bright shining lights over the lake that I live on that went well past midnight last night.

There is no question that we will see a lot of new faces for our morning worship service tomorrow morning. Typically we run around 75-100. I would not be surprised if we double in size tomorrow! When I was in the other ministries I was tempted on big Sunday's to roll out the red carpet and do something special when I knew that company was coming. We wanted to make a good impression so that we might see those people again next week.

It is a little different in the rural church. Don't get me wrong, we are very concerned about making a good impression. We also want to roll out the red carpet. We desperately want people to come back next week too! Here's the deal though, I think it is crucial that the service that people see on the 'BIG' Sunday that they attend is similar to the 'not-so-BIG' Sunday that they come to later. There is that sense of authenticity that is very important to those that live in more rural areas. We do not want to put on false airs and come across as something that we aren't.

My recommendation would be that if you are a church that typically uses hymn books and the piano as your main instrument to not bring in the drums and guitar to sings songs from a video projector on your 'BIG' Sunday. If you do then the next week will seem less than special. No, use your typical tools that Sunday but perhaps you would recommend that they spend more time in preparation. That is doing a good job in putting your best foot forward.

I am all for stepping ahead in progress with our music. I just think there are better times to do it. Introduce the instruments and the songs slowly. Maybe bring in a guitar one week to complement the piano. Then the next week you introduce a more contemporary song that the guitar could accentuate. Many fights have been seen in the church over music and instrumentation. 'BIG' Sundays are not the time to see that happen.