What we Learned from the Back to Church Sunday Workshop

By Lynne and Neil Windjack, St Patrick’s Church, Hudson Bay

On Wednesday, April 21, we attended the Back to Church Sunday workshop with presenter Michael Harvey at St. John’s Anglican Church in Saskatoon. There were about 30 people present for the afternoon session – 25 clergy and 5 lay people. Mr. Harvey gave us some background about the program and some ideas that have been tried in England.

Some of the points that he discussed include:

• The clergy, to his surprise, were always surprised to see their attendance rise on Back to Church Sunday. Why would clergy be surprised, he wondered; doesn’t everyone want to be in church on Sunday’s to share the joy and love of Christ?
• In one area, people who came on Back to Church Sunday were given chocolate bars. Some clergy complained that this smacked of bribery. Mr. Harvey suggested that if they wanted to return the bars to him, he would be able to find a use for them.
• Weekly attendance at Back to Church Sunday churches has been climbing – slowly and steadily – since that Sunday.

Another significant point he made was to ask ourselves if we are Hosts or Guests in our own churches. Do we act like guests in our own church, waiting for someone else to tell us where to sit or what to do or what we need? Or do we act like hosts, helping other people get what they need in order to enjoy the service?

Mr. Harvey’s major point was specifically about Back to Church Sunday. How do we make it successful? Ask someone to accompany you to church! It’s simple, and yet one of the most difficult things we’ll ever do! Invite them to come with you. Offer to pick them up. Have them sit with you in church. Suggest lunch after. If they say “No,” it’s okay. If they say “Yes,” that’s great.

The most important thing is : WE HAVE TO INVITE THEM TO COME!