Churches Welcome
Seasonal Seekers

By Rosalie Lo Pinto 12.6.06

Churches across the country, dissimilar in any number of ways, will share one thing in common on December 24th, higher than normal attendance.

“We generally expect about 15 percent more people than generally attend,” said Pastor Sean Hinton of Pen Argyl, PA.

Many, who give little thought to spiritual matters the rest of the year, find themselves drawn to church special services at Christmas and Easter. Often invited by a friend or relative, these visits generally do not forecast a new fervor for church attendance.

Hinton is not moved when people tell him they’re going to start coming to church regularly.

“Maybe there have been a few, but I can’t actually remember anyone who said that and then started coming,” Hinton said.

Although he knows the Christmas time visitors are not permanent, Hinton said he doesn’t view these holiday visitors negatively.

“They feel awkward, like they have to say something," Hinton said. "A lot of times they know the truth and it’s gnawing at them. They just haven’t gotten their priorities straight yet.”

The one hour Christmas Eve service at Hinton’s church features a candlelight celebration and communion. Hinton explained that the time limit had a two-fold purpose. First, to allow families to spend more time together, and second to make the service more pleasant for those who do not attend regularly. He declines to receive an offering.

“Some people think that’s all the church is interested in – money, money, money,” Hinton said. “It’s also a time when people are already running low on funds, so we give them a break.”

Pastor John White, whose church is in Penn Yan, NY, usually sees about a 10 percent increase in attendance for Christmas and Easter. He likes to give visitors gifts when they come to the Christmas service.

“It’s important to me that they feel welcome and know their presence is appreciated,” White said.
White said while holiday services are not a time for fire and brimstone messages, they are still golden opportunities.

“I don’t mince words,” White said. “I preach a strong salvation message on any holiday. It’s a chance I can’t let pass by.”

Hinton said the holidays, like funerals, are a time when people are ripe to listen to the Christian message.

“This is my chance to tell people who don’t know Jesus just who he really is, and what he wants to do in their lives. Why did he come? Why did he die?”

Hinton is careful to keep his approach gentle.

“I try to keep it light while getting the message across.”

While some preachers may poke fun at their holiday visitors’ sporadic attendance, Hinton said this is unwise.

“Suppose I went to any kind of meeting – a hunting lodge, the PTA or a church service. When I get there, the person in charge mocks me,” Hinton said. “That would make me question whether I really want to belong to that group.”

Pastor David Bushway of Woonsocket, RI believes the holiday season is an ideal time for sharing one’s faith in meaningful ways.

“The holidays are a time when my people are going to have great opportunities to live out their Christianity in front of their family and friends,” Bushway said. “That’s what I emphasize with them – that it’s not so much about testifying, but being a living witness. Be evangelistic not so much in word but in deed.”