Easter and Christmas Church Services

Why "special holiday presentations" are pointless

from JoeUser Forums
There are two times throughout the year when people are most likely to be open to an invitation to church: Easter and Christmas.

These are also the two times when I have the most reluctance about inviting people to church. Why? Let me explain.
(While the following holds true for both Easter and Christmas, it is much more so for Christmas.)

I am a Christian, and have been a regular church goer my entire life. My experience stems from several different protestant churches that I have attended over the years. Every year, whatever church I have been at holds some sort of "special presentation" service for Easter and Christmas. This usually involves some sort of skit or play put on by children of the church members, sometimes a choir that usually doesn't exist apart from this particular event, and all followed by a message covering the same topic as on every previous year at this time.

The part I don't really have a problem with is the message itself. Although repetitive to have a message on the same subject every year, it makes sense that the influx of non-churchgoers should be presented with what Christians believe to be significant regarding the holiday in question. But the "presentation" aspects of these services bug me to no end.

The thing is, I don't understand why they put on these presentations. I can only think of two reasons: either they want to please the existing members of the congregation, or they are trying to do something extra  to convince the outsiders that don't normally go to church to begin attending. In the first case, some members of the church probably do appreciate the presentations, but I'm sure others are with me in finding them dull and pointless. Further, why would they pick the day with the most outsiders to do something special for people already attending the church?

If the point is to convince people to attend church, it is flawed on several levels. First of all, it's not convincing: who wants to attend a church that puts on presentations which amount to little more than a school play? It also seems hypocritical to put on an "attractive" face in an attempt to bring in new members. Further, it belittles the actual meaning of going to church. Christians attend church for spiritual focus, fellowship with other Christians, worship, and Bible teaching. These things are notably lacking from the cutesy plays and skits often put on. Finally, I find it hard to believe that people take these presentations seriously, which reflects on the church itself and hinders any attempts for people to explain real Biblical concepts.

In conclusion, these presentations serve no purpose that I can see. A much more effective way of reaching out to newcomers would be a message that isn't watered down by holiday "fluff". I have come to think that the actual reasons most churches put on these presentations is not either of the reasons I gave above, but simply that "everyone else is doing it".

Please feel free to leave any comments, corrections, or criticisms you may have.
religion
3,355 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Camomilk,

This is very interesting and I exress your same frustration. How I see things is people want to be entertained and taught. Many do not want to actually seek for themselves. Also it seems that there is some personal justification of being a 'good person'. Throughout my life I know many who justify themselves by attending church at such times. I am also finding that the largest churches are the ones that put on the 'best show.' This seems to appease those whose conscience is tainted. Many don't even truly understand why they go on these to forseen 'holy days.' They just do because their parents did.

The reason I see many congregations making such a big deal out of Christmas and Easter is again based on tradition and appeasement. There are some out there who are celebrating because they believe that these have major significance in their faith. But these are generally the ones who keep the pew warm throughout the year.

Those just some of my thoughts regarding this.

AD
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I agree here. In our church we know we are here to worship God, not to entertain. Church is for believers or those who are seeking God. There are times we do put on evangelical events mostly as an outreach for the community, but that is not during a regular Sunday worship. When we do an outreach like a dinner theatre, or a cantada etc the focus then is to introduce unbelievers to Christ and usually done on a Friday-Saturday night.

Christ set up the Church for two purposes according to scripture. One, to worship and glorify God. The other is to encourage and edify the body. Skits, dramas, and frills have no place in the regular worship time but can be a wonderful way to bring people into a church that any other time they may be reluctant to go to.
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think you're a little hard on them. There doesn't always have to be an ulterior motive (ie getting new members). Having mini-plays, bands or 'presentations' as you call them are simply one way of making a special occasion like Easter or Christmas special. It doesn't happen any other time of the year, so it's something the kids can get involved in and hopefully look back on as a good thing. It may be boring, but it doesn't happen very often.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
That's fine Cactoblasta, and you're right there's nothing inherently wrong with this, but it doesn't belong in a Sunday morning worship service. We make our Christmas special by putting on a two night cantada that serves a packed house, and tonight for Good Friday we had a big drama presentation with music and all.

But on Easter morning, all eyes should be on the cross, on Christ, not the performers putting on a skit. That's all. We don't or shouldn't take what's due Christ away from him.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
I appreciate the comments, especially KFC's point that worship services should be focused on Christ and special outreach programs are more appropriate in other surroundings.

Adventure-Dude wrote:
Also it seems that there is some personal justification of being a 'good person'. Throughout my life I know many who justify themselves by attending church at such times.


I see this as well. One of my non church-going roommates mentioned that he felt like he should go to a church service this Easter for this very reason.

cactoblasta wrote:
I think you're a little hard on them. There doesn't always have to be an ulterior motive (ie getting new members).


Perhaps I am being a little harsh; it is a rant after all. But as I said, I don't quite understand why churches choose to put on the special occasions, and "just one way of making it special" doesn't seem practical. I appreciate practical reasons for things; but then again, others may not see it this way. Next week I will ask my pastor about why we do an Easter program.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
I just talked to my son. He's in his early 20's and is a very strong committed believer for one so young. He recently moved to another state and has not really found a church to go to. He knows of a couple but has not gone yet. When I asked if he attended an Easter service he said no. The reason? Because he did not want any there to believe he was one of those "Easter and Christmas" goers since his face has not been seen in one of these local churches as of yet.

In our church, it was packed yesterday. We had a record turnout. The message was on the seven signs of John as evidence as to who Christ was, the lamb of God.
I imagine a few might stay but for the most part we'll see the rest at Christmas. Sad, but true.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Many don't even truly understand why they go on these to forseen 'holy days.' They just do because their parents did.


he did not want any there to believe he was one of those "Easter and Christmas" goers


This is the problem I am having with this whole thread: the need to 'prove' that you are 'better' than the 'Easter and Christmas goers'. I think there is such a thing as 'spiritual machismo' which doesn't fit in with the idea of christian humility they tried to get into my head in Sunday School. But of course, without that "I'm holier than thee. I'm saved, you're not!" there would be no fundamentalism. I think someone once rightfully described this as 'spiritual materialism'.

And to be honest, I sat as a young man in a church wondering why I was the only one who 'really got the message', so I know what is going on here. But I got older, and I learned that judging people was difficult when not foolish and I also learned to be suspicious of those judgements that always put me in the role of the superior one. Because that's not religion, it's just ego, the old 'tempter' at play.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sorry Chak for the misunderstanding. I do think and agree with you that there is some of that "holier than you attitude" in the churches today. If someone is displaying that most likely they are very weak in their faith. As you get closer to God you realize exactly the opposite, how unholy and so far off the mark we are as humans. Going to church and going thru the motions does not make us holy. We are anything but holy.

I'm only found righteous because of what Christ did for me. I'm only clean becase he cleansed me thru his blood on the cross. It's not what I did but what HE did for me. Without that I would be clothed in filthy rags unfit for the kingdom but now God sees me clothed in the blood of his son. That is what pleases God. He's not into the churchy stuff either. He wants our hearts, not our external sacrifices.

When I see people only come to church twice a year, I know they are missing out; that they don't "get" it. I hope I don't look down on them in a judgmental way but in a way it's hard not to because your heart aches for them knowing that they are missing the relationship that God longs to have with them if they'd only seek him out the rest of the year. Maybe they are...on their own time in their homes..who knows? Jesus set the church up for a reason tho. He wants us to be in fellowship not only with him but with other believers to further the work that needs to be done.

There is no such thing as a "lone ranger" Christian.