As you probably know, church attendance has been dropping over the decades. For whatever reasons, going to church is not a big deal for many folks. This morning in Forum a woman who is a hospital chaplain and attends Forum led us in a discussion on the subject "Spirituality and Religion." Lots of stats and ideas on how to reach people who don't feel comfortable in church.It reminded me of something my husband, Ken, did decades ago - long before social media. He was an urban minister type whose heart was always with people on the fringe. For a long time, while he was the lead pastor at a big old downtown church, he led a service very early on Sunday mornings at a drive-in theater. This was in addition to his usual full load of services at the church.
Many years ago drive-in worship services were popular in many cities. But this was after that phase had pasted. When he started this service there was just a handful of people in individual cars but when he gave it up there was a community.
Ken stood in front of the screen and talked to people who had absolutely no intention of stepping inside a church. And he never tried to make them feel guilty about that. They drove up in bathrobes and muscle shirts. Some people obviously had been up all night. Four prostitutes in a big old Buick were regulars.
There was coffee at the concession stand but, in the beginning, most people did not want to socialize. Sometimes there were free Crispy Cremes. That got more out of their cars (many times padding over in their bare feet.) Ken always felt that his number one job was to show these people that he loved them. Just like they were.
It finally came to a stop when the drive-in was sold to a developer.
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