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Churches try creative approaches to attract new members

BY JOE RODRIGUEZ

The Wichita Eagle

Sunday

Motorcycles, illusionists, video game systems and episodes of "Bonanza" aren't typically the kinds of things people associate with Jesus and spirituality. But each is something Wichita-area churches have used in their services, classes and activities as a way to reach out to more people -- including those who do not attend church regularly. Part of the hope is to build relationships with those people so that they will have a place to come if and when they want to further explore their faith.

Pastor Steve Weldon of Hope Community Church in Andover has seen that happen at his church, which hosts a "Biker Sunday" event each year. The event draws hundreds of motorcyclists -- and others -- for food, fellowship and, of course, church.

"We're always looking for ways to engage the community," Weldon said.

The church started the event because it has many members who ride motorcycles and because it wants to invite and accept people as they are.

One goal of "Biker Sunday" is to build relationships and make people aware of the church.

"If at some point, there are spiritual matters they want to explore, and a lot of times, it's when they're having trials in their lives, people start thinking about 'Where can I go?' " Weldon said.

"We want to provide a safe environment where people know they are accepted and loved just the way they are."

That's the atmosphere that Jennifer Strasser found when she first came to Hope Community Church three years ago for the "Biker Sunday" event.

At the time, she was not attending a church. She was invited and decided to attend even though she's not a biker.

"I thought if bikers can fit in," she said, "then I will, too."

Because of her experience, she now attends the church.

"You go there," she said, "and you kind of feel the love."

First Salem United Church of Christ, 952 S. Hillside, is another church that has tried non-traditional programming methods. The church recently started a monthly "Bonanza Bible Study," a course that focuses on the biblical lessons that can be learned from "Bonanza," the former television Western. As part of the course, the church brings in catered food.

"I think it's pretty darn important that the church begins to rethink the way it does things," said Pastor John Werner of First Salem United Church of Christ. "It's just the things that, unfortunately, happened in the '50s and '60s, they're just not working anymore."

Attendance has averaged about 20, which Werner said is good considering that the church's regular Sunday worship attendance is about 30. But he said the church also has one new member who was drawn to the church as a result of the course.

"She said that she saw how mission-minded (First Salem) was and she had to be part of a church that was thinking outside of the box," Werner said.

In some cases, churches target a specific audience.

Take, for example, Westlink Christian Church, one of the city's largest churches. The church at 2001 N. Maize Road bills itself as "The Family Place" and recently opened a $7.5 million expansion geared toward young people.

The 50,000-square-foot area includes worship areas for teens and elementary school-aged children, video game systems, pool tables and a cafe.

Part of the concept was to create a place where young church members could invite their friends, church leaders said.

Reaching that age group is crucial, said Justin Eklund, the church's communications director.

"Statistics show that the vast majority of people who make decisions for Christ do it before 18 years of age," he said.

"That makes sense to us to really focus on those age groups and really try our best to minister to them while they're in that range."

The church frequently hosts other activities as a way to appeal to youths.

Last week, it sponsored an event called "Freedom Experience," which featured several high-energy acts, including an illusionist's escape from a water coffin and BMX bikers.

During the events, more than 100 youths made a decision for the first time to accept Christ as their savior, Eklund said, and several hundred more recommitted their lives to Jesus.

"That's a great example," he said, "of how something that could be perceived as nonspiritual like riding a bike or performing a magic trick can have a real spiritual draw."

Reach Joe Rodriguez at 316-268-6644 or jrodriguez@wichitaeagle.com.