By Thom S. Rainer
Christmas Eve will be here soon. Most churches have some type of Christmas Eve service, but we are seeing clear trends in how churches approach them.
Every time we write or podcast something about these services, we get a lot of comments and questions.
In that context, here are nine clear trends we are seeing on Christmas Eve church services:
It is growing in importance. Non-Christians are more likely to come to worship services on Christmas Eve than any other day of the year, including Easter. Church leaders get it. They are putting more prayer, preparation, and strategic thinking into the services.
There are three popular times for the service. Whether a church has one or multiple Christmas Eve services, three times are more popular than others: later afternoon (typically for families with young children and for older adults); early evening (the more traditional time); and late evening (for empty nesters and families with teenage or grown children).
The services are traditional. They include traditional hymns and carols. They may include some time for the lighting of the final advent candle.
The services are brief. The typical length is 30 to 45 minutes.
The pastor’s message is brief. The typical length is 10 to 15 minutes.
Most churches include candlelight services. They are now expected by Christians and non-Christians alike.
More unchurched are attending these services. As I noted in the first item, one of the reasons for the growing importance of Christmas Eve services is the increasing number of non-Christians who attend. Anecdotally, they seem to be more receptive each year.
Churches are building in processes for follow-up. That means they have processes in place to get contact information, and processes to provide some type of non-aggressive follow-up such as a text message, an email or, most effectively, a handwritten letter.
All ministry staff are expected to be there. Because this day is the single most important day to reach unbelievers, more churches require an “all-hands-on-deck” presence.
Some of these trends have been around a while. Some are only recently growing in importance.
What does your church plan to do for Christmas Eve?
Thom S. Rainer
Thom is the former President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources and author of numerous books, including Autopsy of a Deceased Church.
