That letter from Pastor Robinson really changing my heart on how I see the matter. I’m Japanese so we’re brought up punctual. It’s good to know I’m always late to worship as worship is booming 24/7 on earth and in heaven.
These are some very helpful tips. We actually start service 5 mins before time and it still allow the parking lot, lobby, and annex saints to make their way to worship. I love this video. Thanks for the tips!
I think that the way that worship has been designed from centuries (mid tempo organ prelude, Warm Greeting, psalm, announcements, opening hymn) so its a ramp up. For Easter we always have some splashy from the get go, so people do get there on time. I think visitors have some problems with parking or they underestimate the time to walk from their house, but there are 4-5 members who are always 10 minutes late.
Yes for tip 7! Our people are usually late for service because they're outside talking and enjoying fellowship with each other. Why should we make people end meaningful conversations so they can listen to announcements? As Brady always says, they can listen to a sermon on a podcast, sing along to the latest Elevation album, or see the announcements in the bulletin, but relationships don't have a substitute. Relationships are the thing that is unique to Sunday mornings.
Pretty gnar and may only work for him but Judah Smith legit starts church with preaching then goes into worship following his talk. I attended an 8am service in Bellevue and it was packed at 8 on the dot. Prior to him coming up there was a host who came up greeted and encouraged everyone to “say hay to people around you.” Unfortunately I would say most people aren’t valuing worship as much as they do the word BUT that format made it very hard for people to miss worship AND contextually worship is a response so on a literal standpoint as well it all worked out. But then again I’m talking about Judah lol
Thanks guys! I can't emphasize enough that announcing a shift in the start time, only shifts the time they arrive late. I have seen this at church several times and I never understood why people think it will work. The problem is not the start time, it is the other issues surrounding the start of service that do not get people into the sanctuary. The struggle is real with second service issues. If the second service runs late, or if your church has outgrown its building and the "traffic flow" does not work coming in and out of church, it makes it pretty difficult to start on time. I think it is just a reality of a church that there will be "transition issues" between lobby time and "church time" . It is also a reality of a healthy community that people want to talk to each other. So worrying about it less is a good approach. If we start with an exciting song (and possibly turn up the volume in the lobby), people wrap up their conversations and come in. We just have to expect that until there is something exciting going on in the sanctuary, people want to make use of their precious time to build relationships with fellow churchgoers in the lobby.
Here's our two biggest issues on people getting into the main gathering for worship: 1. Bible study classes don't finish early enough, probably because they don't start on time. 2. People stay in the foyer and talk... loudly. Sometimes we can hear them in the main room while someone if speaking on stage (after our upbeat opening song). People in the foyer have even asked us to turn the audio feed off the service down because it's bothering them! (Which makes me just want to turn it up to 11!)
Hey guys, what do you think about sound check before service? How early should you run a quick check? We currently run a one 30 minutes before service, one song.
No hard rules on that one, Sonny. Just whatever works best for your team! I like to have my team checked, off stage, and ready to have conversations with church members before most people start arriving. For us, we're off stage 45 minutes before the service starts.
Brady! When you get up with a couple minutes left in the countdown is this when you do your connection card/welcome speech or do you do that during a separate announcement time later??
Hey Christian - great to hear from you! We don't currently run a church, but you can learn more about the church Alex works for here: lifeabundant.info. :)
I'd think the issue isn't quite so much 'I need to care a bit less' as it might be an indicator of misplaced focus. If out focus is on the congregation during corporate worship, it's not on The One Whom we worship. It's the equivalent of sharing at your phone when sitting at the table with someone. I will grudgingly admit that I'm stepping on my own toes here...
thank you for this amazing insight, We at The Church Hub work with a lot of churches Here in Nigeria, you videos have been really help in re aligning the operations of churches to their mission statement. keep it up bro.. I Celebrate you.
Alexander Mills Thanx for the reply, We’ve been starting on time for 3 years .. but yes I won’t care too much .. we are a church of 300 people on a Sunday and we start on time with about 80 people .. the last people only arrive 20 -25 min late .. so its not exciting starting praise and worship with empty seats ..
Hi, I have always followed this channel, watching and learning a lot from you. but for this episode, I will have to completely disagree... many of us see the church religiously and completely forget that lateness is a dishonor to God. Many of us will never go late to work but will conveniently go late to meet with God. The countdown and addressing the people from the alter will not help people that are not in church, the people that will encounter that are not late, hence not the target... I believe you both go early to church because of your understanding of its importance, this is what we should teach. I love your videos but sadly disagree with this. Thanks for the video though.
That letter from Pastor Robinson really changing my heart on how I see the matter. I’m Japanese so we’re brought up punctual. It’s good to know I’m always late to worship as worship is booming 24/7 on earth and in heaven.
These are some very helpful tips. We actually start service 5 mins before time and it still allow the parking lot, lobby, and annex saints to make their way to worship. I love this video. Thanks for the tips!
Glad you've found a system that works for your church!
I think that the way that worship has been designed from centuries (mid tempo organ prelude, Warm Greeting, psalm, announcements, opening hymn) so its a ramp up. For Easter we always have some splashy from the get go, so people do get there on time. I think visitors have some problems with parking or they underestimate the time to walk from their house, but there are 4-5 members who are always 10 minutes late.
That ending story was SOOO GOOD!
Definitely had some great tips in this video! Thanks.
Thanks for watching Jamir!
Yes for tip 7! Our people are usually late for service because they're outside talking and enjoying fellowship with each other. Why should we make people end meaningful conversations so they can listen to announcements? As Brady always says, they can listen to a sermon on a podcast, sing along to the latest Elevation album, or see the announcements in the bulletin, but relationships don't have a substitute. Relationships are the thing that is unique to Sunday mornings.
Love the emphasis on building meaningful relationships, Andrew! This is something we're seeing more and more of a need for in our current culture. :)
One of the better episodes. Had me cracking up!
Pretty gnar and may only work for him but Judah Smith legit starts church with preaching then goes into worship following his talk. I attended an 8am service in Bellevue and it was packed at 8 on the dot. Prior to him coming up there was a host who came up greeted and encouraged everyone to “say hay to people around you.” Unfortunately I would say most people aren’t valuing worship as much as they do the word BUT that format made it very hard for people to miss worship AND contextually worship is a response so on a literal standpoint as well it all worked out. But then again I’m talking about Judah lol
That's interesting Omar! I haven't attended a church service that starts with the message before. :)
Thanks guys! I can't emphasize enough that announcing a shift in the start time, only shifts the time they arrive late. I have seen this at church several times and I never understood why people think it will work. The problem is not the start time, it is the other issues surrounding the start of service that do not get people into the sanctuary.
The struggle is real with second service issues. If the second service runs late, or if your church has outgrown its building and the "traffic flow" does not work coming in and out of church, it makes it pretty difficult to start on time.
I think it is just a reality of a church that there will be "transition issues" between lobby time and "church time" . It is also a reality of a healthy community that people want to talk to each other. So worrying about it less is a good approach. If we start with an exciting song (and possibly turn up the volume in the lobby), people wrap up their conversations and come in. We just have to expect that until there is something exciting going on in the sanctuary, people want to make use of their precious time to build relationships with fellow churchgoers in the lobby.
Completely agree with you! Great points. :)
Great practicals!
Great tips. We have people who are 10 to 15 min and one family sometimes are 30 to 40 min. Late
Some families are definitely more prone to lateness than others. :)
This really encouraged me and it's so timely. I can't wait to share these tips with our "Servanteers" and Ministry Leaders of my church. Thanks!
So glad to hear this was timely for you and your team Rebecca! Hope you find the tips helpful in practice as well. :)
Here's our two biggest issues on people getting into the main gathering for worship:
1. Bible study classes don't finish early enough, probably because they don't start on time.
2. People stay in the foyer and talk... loudly. Sometimes we can hear them in the main room while someone if speaking on stage (after our upbeat opening song). People in the foyer have even asked us to turn the audio feed off the service down because it's bothering them! (Which makes me just want to turn it up to 11!)
Gonna start playing the law and order chime before service
😂
We are on "Aloha" time here...so I will suggest these ideas but idk if it will work in Hawaii :)
Ha! Same thing in Africa. "African time" is a real thing!
2Chainz “I’m Rare” “Like a $2 Bill” love it y’all!
We've got a winner here!
Hey guys, what do you think about sound check before service? How early should you run a quick check? We currently run a one 30 minutes before service, one song.
No hard rules on that one, Sonny. Just whatever works best for your team! I like to have my team checked, off stage, and ready to have conversations with church members before most people start arriving. For us, we're off stage 45 minutes before the service starts.
Brady! When you get up with a couple minutes left in the countdown is this when you do your connection card/welcome speech or do you do that during a separate announcement time later??
Hey Luke - the connect card is during announcements later in the service between worship and the message 😊
Hi, does your church stream online? Would love to worship with you
Hey Christian - great to hear from you! We don't currently run a church, but you can learn more about the church Alex works for here: lifeabundant.info. :)
I'd think the issue isn't quite so much 'I need to care a bit less' as it might be an indicator of misplaced focus. If out focus is on the congregation during corporate worship, it's not on The One Whom we worship. It's the equivalent of sharing at your phone when sitting at the table with someone.
I will grudgingly admit that I'm stepping on my own toes here...
Great observation Jeff! Completely agree that is a misplaced focus. :)
Legitimately liked the video because of the end...hahahaha! That was hilarious
We love to have a bit of fun. :)
Great tips guys.
Of course I’ve subscribed.
Thanks for watching Wayne. :)
Hey guys! Thanks for the tips.
PS: Your Bibliotheca is out of order on the shelf behind you. ;)
Thanks for watching Brett! (and for pointing out our disorganization . . .)
This video was posted in the future
thank you for this amazing insight, We at The Church Hub work with a lot of churches Here in Nigeria, you videos have been really help in re aligning the operations of churches to their mission statement. keep it up bro.. I Celebrate you.
Thanks for the encouraging words! So glad the videos have been helpful for your team. :)
I would intentionally show up late to church because the worship music was insufferable, so that was on me.
#8 - Don’t have a pastors huddle 15 minutes before the service where you plan the service.
🤦♂️
Urban churches deal with public transportation which can cause folks to be late.
😁
Dudes the people aren’t at church yet ? How does a countdown help ? And a song or dimming the lights? The peeps aren’t even there yet ..
That's where some of the other tips come into play! Like starting on time, cultivating that culture of punctuality, and most importantly - care less 😉
Alexander Mills
Thanx for the reply,
We’ve been starting on time for 3 years .. but yes I won’t care too much .. we are a church of 300 people on a Sunday and we start on time with about 80 people .. the last people only arrive 20 -25 min late .. so its not exciting starting praise and worship with empty seats ..
Hi, I have always followed this channel, watching and learning a lot from you. but for this episode, I will have to completely disagree... many of us see the church religiously and completely forget that lateness is a dishonor to God. Many of us will never go late to work but will conveniently go late to meet with God. The countdown and addressing the people from the alter will not help people that are not in church, the people that will encounter that are not late, hence not the target... I believe you both go early to church because of your understanding of its importance, this is what we should teach. I love your videos but sadly disagree with this. Thanks for the video though.
Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!