Minister’s Blog

On Sunday morning, July 6, we will add an eight o’clock worship service with a classic hymn format. The other two worship services at 9:30 and 11:00 will be changed to present a more celebrative approach to worship with upbeat music and different format. The content of the Word of God will remain the same though we may alter our method of preaching the message of Christ. We believe these changes will open wider the gateway for the unchurched in our community to attend worship services at Christ’s Church at Tiffin.

Why are we departing from the blended style of worship services? The blended style of worship is not working in churches today as it once did several years ago. One writer states blended music in worship irritates the groups who desires a more contemporary sound as well as the other groups who prefers more hymns. We appear to be reaching neither group as well as we believe we can do.

The early morning time for the classic service deserves some explanation. As staff and leaders we wrestled with the proper time for this service to best accomodate those who prefer this service. Saturday evening was ruled out because most of us want to worship on Sunday. Sunday afternoon and evening were discarded due to the fact that we prefer worshiping on Sunday morning. We discussed at length turning the 9:30 or 11:00 service into a classic service but we would have to reformat the worship program for our youth for this change.

The decision was made to insert a new classic worship service into the 8:00 AM time to not disturb the other schedule already in place. We realize this time is early and will require some sacrifices on behalf of those who plan to attend it. I will be required to be at the facility one to two hours earlier to preach at this service. The worship team for the early service will be required to be at the church site much earlier. Their practice will be at 7:00 AM to be ready for the 8:00 service. Many of us will be giving more time and effort for this new schedule. I appreciate your willinginess to give this new plan an opportunity for the church to be more effective in our ministry to reach others.

Churches grow when her leaders launch out into ministries that challenge our comfort zone. The best decisions I have observed in my ministry are those risky, prayed over, and fearful changes we make. God reaches out to us when we take a step of faith that stretches us beyond where we think we can go. I want God to surprise us with growth in quality and quantity at Christ’s Church.

In His Service,
Terry Jones, Senior Minister