Friday, August 31, 2012

Don't Marry the Program

5 summers ago we lauched a program at Hillcrest called "Wednesday Night Service".  It took months of research, conversations with Hillcresters, conversations with potential non-profits with whom we would be partnering for the service projects, deciding which opportunities were better 'fits' for our groups than others, communicating the program, inviting people to participate, following up with those who served, following up with the agencies who received the service, and many other administrative type tasks.  And when we launched it the program was a huge success!  Tons of Hillcresters came out and participated in different projects throughout the community.  Many folks served outside of the church for the first time.  And for new people checking out Hillcrest, the program was a big badge of honor.  They couldn't believe we took time each week to serve the community.  They were very impressed!  Our members and attenders also loved being a part of a church so connected to the community.

But as great of a program as it was, it could not escape the fate that happens to so many programs.  At the beginning, many people came out and many people were excited.  As time went on, the newness wore off and soon there was a group- a sizeable group, for sure- that made up the regulars who particpated each week while others came out for projects they were more excited about.  All good stuff.  As more time went on, the 'regular' group became smaller.  With a smaller regular group, I then began to limit the number of opportunities we provided on each Wednesday night.  Did this mean Hillcresters no longer care about the community?  Of course not.  Many had discovered ways to serve in their own communities, schools, and workplaces.  Many continued to participate, just less frequently.  Many took a season away.  Again, all good stuff.  This isn't a post about guilt! 

I've never tried to be 'married' to a program.  The program of Wednesday Night Service was designed to put feet to a value Hillcrest has (mainly, that we give a rip about our local community and thus desire to serve it in meaningful ways).  The decrease in numbers indicates a problem with the program, not with the value.  So this fall we've made some changes to how we're going to serve on Wednesdays and throughout a month around our community.  Because while programs may come and go, the value is here to stay. 

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Did You Have Fun?

I think it is important to have fun.  I am sure people get sick of 'fun' being the litmus test of whether an event, program, class, school, organization, youth sports groups, church youth groups, etc, is successful or not.

Last Sunday our church had a picnic and a bean bag tournament after services at a local park (yours truly took 2nd place, but as we know, there's no points for 2nd place!).  And it was fun.  A lot of fun.  In the next few weeks, the guys will go to the races and go golfing.  Our church will hit the corn maze and also host a chili cook-off.  Our youth ministry will go roller skating and have a Madden torunament for the guys.  Our children's ministries will host a trunk or treat with another church complete with costumes and decorated vehicles.  All of these events have fun as their primary purpose.  Are they times for people to connect with one another?  You bet.  Do we design these events so people who aren't as connected to Hillcrest maybe come out and feel a little more connected to Hillcrest as a result?  Of course.  But if we don't have fun- if these events aren't fun- the chances of those other things happening decreases.  By a lot. 

Is life always fun?  Of course not.  In fact, for many of us our experiences are the complete opposite.  Life is hard.  Life is work.  Life can be painful and troubling.  All the more important that when the church gathers, we have fun.