DO YOU WANT TO INCREASE CHURCH ATTENDANCE?

DO YOU WANT TO INCREASE CHURCH ATTENDANCE?

Church attendance around the Christian world has been in decline for decades. Twenty percent of Canadians attended religious services weekly in 2007, but by 2013, that number had dropped to 13 percent, and 2.5 million fewer Canadians were at public worship in any given week. It is even lower in 2019. Fortunately, a religious marketing genius in England has started to address the problem and introduced the first really new initiative to increase church attendance in years.

In Rochester Cathedral, founded in 604 AD, church officials have installed a nine-hole mini-putt golf course in the medieval nave of the church. Officials said the idea was to attract more visitors. “We hope that when people come in, they will know that they’re welcome and they will have an enjoyable experience,” a spokesman stated. “So while people are here, having fun and playing crazy golf, they will take the opportunity to reflect on that wider theme of building bridges, that they might find that they would like to pray or light a candle. Maybe talk to somebody.” What a novel idea!

If the mini-golf concept catches on, I have an endless list of other creative ideas to increase church attendance, especially for families. I think a small petting zoo, either within the church or nearby, would be a big draw. No kid can resist the lure of face painting, and coloured helium-filled balloons are a guaranteed hit. Pop music should emanate from the church to develop a feeling of joy and celebration. Popcorn and cotton candy vendors would add a carnival-like atmosphere. Let’s introduce the same attractions at church that make other community events a success!

In order to make church attendance more enjoyable and comfortable, there are a plethora of re-decorating ideas that would help. Why not replace the traditional hard wooden benches with comfortable sofas and reclining arm chairs? Kneelers should be thrown out altogether and soft cushions made available if necessary. If the service is slow and the sermon too boring, several large screen TVs around the church could telecast movies such as The Ten Commandments or Ben Hur!  Individual headsets and remote controls could allow all parishioners to tailor make their worship experience.

Following the service, rather than the traditional coffee and cookies social, a more adult option might be available. A cash bar with assorted local wines and mixed drinks, a few cheese platters and some cold cuts could prove popular.

If you want people to enjoy an event, and come back for more next week, food and drink, entertainment and comfortable surroundings are the first step. Before you know it church attendance will soar and seating will be limited. If all goes well, churches will be forced to sell tickets and offer additional services. We may even have to build more churches! But then, I guess I am getting a little ahead of myself. Let's wait and see how the petting zoo works out first!