With COVID 19, there are limits to how many people you can allow in your large group meetings. Unfortunately, I’ve heard of some groups talking about sending students away because they don’t have space! Please don’t do that!
Interestingly, even though it’s common for churches to have multiple services, it’s still rare for college ministries.
I understand the excitement of having everyone together, but if that’s not possible having a second service is the next best thing and actually has some benefits.
Benefits of a Second Service
- It makes more room for more visitors.
- It gets more volunteers involved.
- It motivates members by helping them see their need to grow each service.
- It helps groups avoid becoming a “holy huddle”
- It is another “net” in the water to catch more new fish (or freshmen).
Why wouldn’t you start a second service?
I’m afraid for many, the reason is simply that they don’t want to put in the work!
If that’s you then, Solomon warns, “He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.” (Proverbs 10:5) You don’t want to be that guy!
In my collegiate-focused church plant, we started two services before we even he had to for the reasons above, and we ended up growing by around 50% before COVID hit.
Also, everyone knows the need for flexibility during this season, so it’s almost a free pass for leaders to try new things. There is no better time to experiment, because if something fails you can blame it on COVID!
But seriously, people understand that the limitations of this season require innovation. Also, you can just offer the second service for a season when you need it, and then get rid of it if numbers die down.
We’ve always done it this way is not a good reason to do something! Especially now!
So please, if you are thinking of sending students away, stop and at least consider starting a second service!
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