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Church Changes With The Times

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

kknight@tampatrib.com

Published: March 28, 2009

TAMPA PALMS - St. James United Methodist Church is changing with the times.

Starting Sunday, the congregation at 16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. is breaking with one of its oldest traditions: The church is dropping the 8 a.m. Sunday service.

The church plans to continue offering three Sunday services by adding one that begins at 12:30 p.m.

"Churches are moving away from early services," said Zebrah Jahnke, executive director of worship and arts at St. James.

"There seems to be a trend nationally for churches to have later services."

St. James hopes the shift to a 12:30 p.m. service will boost attendance. The overall shift is from services at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. to services at 9 and 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

The first service will be traditional, and the second and third of the day will be contemporary. The Rev. Steve Ezra will preside over all three.

It's Nothing New

The new service times will be more in line with those of other large congregations in the area, such as Life Point Community Church near Hunter's Green and Grace Family Church in Lutz, said Jason Nelson, director of worship and music at St. James.

Nelson said the church's decision to drop the 8 a.m. service and add a later one was based on research, discussion with other church leaders and consultation with church members.

The church needed to make a move to reduce the overflow crowd attending the late contemporary service, he said.

"Our primary factor ... was our 11 o'clock service was maxed out," Nelson said.

"We are running an average of 1,100 to 1,200 on Sundays," Nelson said. "There are about 70 at the 8 a.m. service."

Nelson said church leadership has made a conscious effort to reach out to church members who frequently attend the 8 a.m. service.
Church officials are encouraging families to spend quality time together before heading to church, which fits in with the schedule change.

Nelson is urging members to take time to enjoy breakfast and parents to allow the children to sleep a little longer.

"Enjoy your family time," he said, "just come to church at 12:30."

Jahnke agreed, saying Sunday mornings are becoming more like Saturdays, an opportunity for families to connect and enjoy activities such as sporting events.

St. James leaders say they are taking their cue from some of the nation's megachurches.

Nelson said large churches such as Saddleback Church in California, Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago and North Point Community Church in suburban Atlanta have had great success filling the pews at late-morning and afternoon services on Sundays.

A Community Service

For decades, the 11 a.m. service has been the most popular worship time, Jahnke said. Then churches began holding early-morning services to accommodate the crowd. As families seek time to balance their lives, the trend is toward later Sunday services.

"It's about changing our services to better service the community," Jahnke said.

FREE WATER

WHO: St. James United Methodist Church members

WHAT: Bottled water giveaway. The bottles will have custom labels of the church logo and new Sunday service times.

WHEN: Today

WHERE: Bruce B. Downs Boulevard at Tampa Palms Boulevard, north and south; Dona Michelle Drive; Cross Creek Boulevard; County Line Road; and State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel.

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 865-4842.

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