As we start a new season at Emmanuel we are also engaging a rather large challenge: a second worship service. There are many dynamics that are affected by adding a worship service. There are also myths, attitudes and approaches that can either hinder or help such a new ministry. Let me briefly go through a few dangerous attitudes as well as some helpful attitudes. Let me start with the positive because I'm in an optimistic mood this morning:

Helpful Attitude #1: 'Wow! We have an awesome opportunity here!'

With a second service, there will be more sacred space to be filled. The parking lot will be more empty and the sanctuary will be more empty. Think of all the space we have to fill with new people. And the more people who come, the more who can be connected to Jesus to start the circle of disciple-making.

Helpful Attitude #2: 'Invite, Invite, Invite'

Switch your gears. Think more about invitational opportunities. Think about your trusted friends who have no church home. Find ways to invite them. Don't give up. Pick them up on Sunday morning if need be. Be persistent, but not over-bearing. If you are excited about Emmanuel and it is relevant and authentic and pursuing excellence, then why wouldn't you be inviting others? We've got space to fill. The worst that could happen is that people would tell you 'no'.

Dangerous Attitude #1: 'I want to see everybody and know what is going on all the time and everywhere in my church'.

This attitude has so many theological flaws it makes me nautious just reading it. First, worship isn't about you. Worship is about giving people who want to worship God an opportunity to worship God.

Secondly, this attitude is pervasive in small churches that want to stay small. There are instances in which small churches are a strength and needed in the world. But when you are church in the growing East side of Cincinnati that wants to 'make disciples of Jesus Christ', the attitude of wanting to stay small works against the opportunities and the purpose of the church. If you want more people to connect with Jesus at Emmanuel, the reality is that it might get so big that you can't see and know everyone and everything all the time.

Thirdly, church is by definition a community. It is no one person's church. And the only reason it can be a community is because God allows it to be so. Ownership of a church needs to be approached with humble acknowledgement of God's grace. It can only be 'my church' when God opens the door, lets me in, and gives me the responsibility of expanding His Kingdom. Even then it is ultimately God's church. He's just entrusting it to you.

Dangerous Attitude #2: A second worship service divides the church

When people think of their church, they often picture the worship service. So, naturally, when the worship service is divided, then they think the church has become divided. When church grows (especially when space is limited), it will necessarily need more than one worship service. This should be seen as an expansion of the church, not a division. When Small Groups got started, people didn't see it as a division, it was an expansion. When Children's Sunday School got re-established, people didn't see it as a division, but an expansion. It is the same with a new worship service. It is still one congregation, but now there are two opportunities to worship.

How do you adjust to not seeing everyone every week? See church more wholistically. When you think of church, don't let it be defined only by the worship service you attend. Let your picture of church expand to the Vision it is living out. The church is reaching out, welcoming, inspiring and teaching others to be disciples. Worship service is an important part, but only one part. There are tons of other ministries that happen Monday through Saturday that are doing their part in defining the kind of church that God wants it to be. So get more involved. Join a Small Group. Work on a Team. You'll find that when church becomes more than just worship, God's voice becomes even stronger and your discipleship journey becomes more exciting.

Pastor Joe