Transition or change is one of the most significant tests of a congregation's attitude or spirit. That season messes with our sense of security and comfort. Many people have expressed questions and concerns about the future of Christ Church. This season has been challenging for our leaders, staff, lay leaders, and you, our congregation. We don't have all of the answers in a spirit of absolute transparency, but we can answer some common questions.

1) How is the search for the new senior pastor going? 

The search committee is making every effort to pray for us in the right pastor for the next season of Christ Church. Significant progress is being made. Lauren Robinson, Chair of the Search Team, will give a detailed update in the coming weeks. So we can say, get ready, because it's exciting. God is moving, and He's doing something in the world and our church. 

2) Why did we move to our current worship schedule, and how long will it last? 

Before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Christ Church had five services every weekend, so several factors were involved in making this decision. 

1. Attendance

   Our congregation is about half of what it was before the pandemic, and it seemed unwise to continue with five services. 

2. Sunday School

   Prior to the pandemic, we had a growing awareness that we needed one Sunday school hour rather than two to build community and unity. This one hour would also allow our staff to worship in one of the services with their families, which they have not been able to do for many years.

3. General Fragmentation

   There was a collective sense that we needed to make every effort to provide an intergenerational service, a place where different generations could be together in the presence of God. So many have commented on how good it feels to see children and youth and parents and grandparents all together! 

4. New Pastor Flexibility 

   This schedule will give our new senior pastor the best opportunity to preach the Word of God to the entire congregation.

Remember: Worship is not about feeling good but finding God. Unfortunately, for some, feeling good has become more important than finding God. If you have to have everything you want to feel good, you probably haven't found God. 

3) When is my service returning?

We have all become a product of our culture. We're so individualistic and consumer-driven, that we replace God with ourselves in what we believe. Please don't turn worship into consumer disappointment. We need to be able to lay aside our preferences and ask, "God, what are you saying to us?" Are we worshiping the order of worship, or are we worshiping the God of order?

The purpose of the 11 AM service is to combine traditional and contemporary worship; It's a hybrid service. We remain hopeful that choosing the sanctuary during that hour will help some who prefer traditional worship be more accepting of contemporary music. On the other side, we hope those who prefer contemporary music will gain a love for the beautiful provision of the sanctuary and some of the traditions that we practice in traditional worship. 

Although they may recognize the need for a multi-generational service, some may be unable to adjust to this change. So we've promised an entirely traditional service at 8:30 AM on Sundays.

We also offer a wholly contemporary worship service on Saturdays at 5:00 PM. This service is a time to lay hands on the sick and pray for those experiencing anguish in their minds and division in their families. 

4) Why are the preachers not wearing robes during the 11:00 AM service?

There's nothing biblical or unbiblical about clergy robes; It's neutral. The practice began between the sixth and ninth centuries in the Roman Empire. Wearing robes does not make your preacher any holier, but it does make them much hotter!

5) When is the full choir coming back? 

The choir will lead us on Holy Thursday and for both Easter services. Beyond that, we don't know. It is possible to blend the choir and worship band, but this will take someone with a vision and the gifting to do this. Please be patient as we figure this out.  

6) Why are certain instruments used during sanctuary services?

“Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150)

We need to be careful when we judge what God is saying now, just on the past, because God is worthy to be praised and worshipped. When God is moving among us, He says to you make every effort as far as your attitude and spirit because it's important to the rest of the body of Christ.

6) When are volunteers returning?

You are the volunteers! VBS is coming soon, and we will need hundreds of volunteers to reach our city. We are also in desperate need of a point person to help us build a strong worship committee to recruit and organize our ushers, greeters, & communion stewards for weekly worship and special services.

If you’d like to begin serving your church, you can find opportunities here.

This has been a great time of change and transition. God tells us to us, "I know that you have never passed this way before, but remember I will be with you wherever you go and whatever you face." (Joshua 3:4, 1:9) We're not living in the same world we lived in two years ago. There are denominational issues, war, inflation, family division, and many other problems. God is asking if we're going to hold on to our problems, or are you going to hold on to me and trust that the same God who calls you to a change will be with you wherever you go and in whatever you face in your life?