8/5/2007
This church allowing no excuses
By Jon Stevens, Staff writer
jstevens@observer-reporter.comCARMICHAELS, PA - It's been nearly 20 years since First Christian Church of Carmichaels made a creative effort to lure members back into the pews by designating one Sunday as "No Excuse Sunday."
The church's former pastor, the Rev. David Mansfield, came up with that idea after he apparently heard about it from a fellow pastor in Butler, who had heard it from a pastor in Kentucky.
Now, Pastor Reagan Fike, who claims to have heard every excuse in the book, has launched a second "No Excuse Sunday" for Aug. 12.
"Our attendance has been slipping since last year," Fike said. "This is an idea of how to get people back in and hopefully we will have all our bases covered."
So, on Aug. 12, the church will be ready for such excuses as:
"Sunday is my only day to sleep in." - The church will have cots in the vestibule.
"The roof may cave in if I ever went to church." - Helmets will be provided for such worry warts.
"The church is always too hot or too cold." - Blankets and fans will be provided.
"The preacher always talks too soft or too loud." - You will have a choice of hearing aids or cotton balls.
"I have nothing to wear." - Extra clothes will be available.
"I don't feel well." - A registered nurse will be present.
Fike also said the church will have things to buy for those early Sunday shoppers; golf clubs so tee times won't se missed; maps for those traveling on Sundays; and a television so no one will miss their favorite program.
File said a continental breakfast will be available before church. "You can just crawl out of bed and eat at church," Fike said. Additionally, a luncheon will be served after church.
And for those who prefer to go to church only on holidays, a Christmas tree, poinsettias and Easter lilies will decorate the altar for those who never attended church without seeing them.
The church has approximately 135 people on the active membership rolls, but attendance is just averaging 30 to 40 people on any given Sunday.
"Of course attendance does go up around the holidays, when the kids perform or when there is a special service," Fike said. And, she agrees summer is a down time because people go on vacation.
But Deacon Tom Watters said, "The church never goes on vacation. God should take priority."
Nonetheless, Fike said she wants to make "No Excuse Sunday" a fun day. "I want people to say, 'Yes, today is the day I am going to get back in the habit (of coming to church),'" she said.
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/08_05_No_excuse_Sunday
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