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BY CHRISTINE KUMAR

"Vital churches take risks and are forward leaning. The Call to Action provides a blueprint that can be customized for growth," said Bishop Schol.

Out of the 16 vital drivers of the Call to Action, four are related to worship:

1. Vital churches offer a mix of contemporary (newer forms of worship style) and traditional services.

2. Vital churches have preachers who tend to use more topical sermon series in traditional services.

3. Vital churches use more contemporary music (less blended music that includes traditional tunes) in contemporary services.

4. Vital churches use more multi-media in contemporary services. (Some congregations in other parts of the world may have limited access or do not use multi-media to the same extent and therefore it may not be as important as it is in some cultures.)

Trainings, which begin in September, are available through the Discipleship Academy for all those interested in starting new worship services.

Take a look below at vital ways some BWC churches are reaching out to their communities:

It's about time

It started with four people, and now 12 worshippers gather in Mount Olive UMC's chapel to worship God in an intimate setting. The service, which began this summer, conveniently starts at 8 a.m. every Sunday. The Rev. Mark Johnson said that attending the early morning service gives people more time in the day to do other things like taking kids to sporting events or spending time with family and friends.

The worship follows a theme and Johnson asks questions for worshippers to reflect upon. "This prods us to act out of service and discipleship," he said.

Beyond tradition

Those who are disillusioned with traditional church will find a casual worship gathering at Emory UMC in Street. The Rev. Brian Shockey said that this worship experience is to attract those who grew up in the church and left for various reasons. "They need something fresh and new," he said.

The new multi-sensory worship gathering will launch in September at 11 a.m. on Sundays.

The biggest challenge is doing change well and helping others to develop an evangelistic heart, he said. "I think people are also looking for a place where they can make a difference, like going on mission trips to Haiti or Camp Joy."

"We know there are a lot of people in the community who are not going to church, especially the young families," said 20-year-old Holly Phillips, who is on the worship planning team. Currently, the average person's age at Emory is 50.

"I am beyond excited," said Laura Talbert, 15, who is also a planning team member. "I want there to be good energy that makes you get up and dance and at the same time be with those hwo are devoted to Jesus."

Faith encircled

Since March, 15-20 worshippers sit in a circular fashion in the family life center on Sunday mornings at Arden UMC in West Virginia to know more about God. "We sing a capella style and the service is informal," said the Rev. Kathy Spitzer. "We also support one another in this intimate setting." Men and women participate in the discussions, get to know one another and develop a prayer life while praying for one another. Worshippers develop a personal relationship with God through Scripture and they look forward to Communion, Spitzer said. "The new people who have joined like the new service."

Revival draws unchurched

A mid-week revival happens on Wednesday nights at Brooks UMC in Saint Leonard where 50 to 65 worshippers meet to encounter God. "This provides us with an opportunity to reach out to the community in our county where there are few mid-week service opportunities," said the Rev. Jason Robinson. "It's important to start new worship experiences so that as a church family you can continue to grow spiritually and provide and fulfill the needs of an expanding community." Robinson believes that the new worship gathering will draw many non-believers.

Connected by questions

Calvary UMC in Frederick birthed a new service in July to attract young adults and newcomers. They meet on the second and fourth Sunday evenings. Currently, 19 adults worship in an informal setting in the chancel. They listen to praise music and have fellowship time. It is not uncommon to hear songs from Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney or Pink for this group, which also explores song lyrics. "Our main goal is to attract the young adults in the Frederick area," said the Rev. Sarah Schlieckert, associate pastor at Calvary UMC. The laity lead worship planning and Schlieckert's message ties Scripture to current issues that young and old are facing. The message is interactive and questions can be asked and answered. "The hope is that someone comes to the service to connect the message, songs and Scripture and that it carries into their lives," Schleickert said. In the fall, she will be inviting different people to be interviewed and tie it to the Scripture and message. "We are going to call it, ‘Conversations in the Sanctuary,'" she said.

A cafe church

Newcomers will get to know God while sipping coffee in a café setting at Montgomery UMC in Montgomery Village. The worship gathering will begin late Sunday afternoons in September. This informal setting is geared to attract new people in the community and accommodate those who cannot attend morning worship. The Rev. Wade Martin and his worship team's desire is to reach and impact the lives of those who live in the community.

We are what we profess

Taylorsville UMC will be launching a 9 a.m. 45-minute worship gathering in order to fit the needs of families in the Mt. Airy area. The Rev. Sarah Dorrance will follow a sermon series in which life's applications are tied to the Scripture. Dorrance said that the Nicene Creed will be read every Sunday so that newcomers can learn and profess their faith. The young adult praise team will lead everyone in song.

Outside the walls

Drivers curiously stop and look at worshippers singing and praising God on the lawn of Epworth UMC in Cockeysville. The alternative worship service called "The Lighthouse" has 25 to 40 worshippers who sit on their blankets and lawn chairs and listen to the message under God's open sky. "In connection with our mission statement, we are trying to shine our light," said the Rev. Kimberly Hall. She said they are documenting the service by videotaping its progression.

Fishing for faith

Worship begins in the balcony of Emory UMC in Ellicott City, where nine to 10 young adults between the ages of 18-40 are engaged in a different style of worship. The new worship experience is called "Fishing." They are surrounded by fishing nets and fishing poles. Currently, the group is trying creative ways of worship in order to be ready for their launch in September. "This is a good way to discuss and evaluate what's working well and how things can be better," said the Rev. Martin Brooks, associate pastor at the Ellicott City Cooperative Parish, which includes Bethany and Emory UMCs. The message is done in an interactive style. Asking provocative questions about the Scripture is working well for this group, Brooks said. It helps young adults discuss their experiences and how they relate to the Bible.

Sensing God

"Our church is committed to outreach and worship," said the Rev. Katie Bishop, pastor of New Hope UMC in Brunswick. New Hope will be launching a multi-sensory worship experience to attract newcomers who study and learn about Scripture through music, video, drama and dance. "We need places for new people and many are passionate about services that are more contemporary," said Bishop.