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Church to offer contemporary services
Published Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Photo by Scott Mims
Changing with the times: Union Grove Baptist Church Pastor Matt Hilyer stands in front of the church building off Chilton County Road 51. The church is incorporating contemporary worship into its weekly service schedule.
A Jemison area church will begin offering an alternative worship service starting in June.
Union Grove Baptist Church will hold a contemporary service on the first and third Sundays of each month from 9 to 9:50 a.m. The church will continue to offer its traditional service time each Sunday at 11 a.m.
Church Pastor Matt Hilyer said the church doesn't want to break tradition but also wants to be able to embrace change.
"Union Grove is the most diverse church I've ever pastored," Hilyer said. " We have a pretty good working environment of all ages from babies through senior adults."
A look in the church's fellowship hall reveals a wall full of highchairs, a sign that future generations are a significant part of the growth. Upstairs, a youth room features contemporary instruments and modern lighting.
Hilyer said the church's largest segment consists of people age 55 and younger. He wants services to retain elements that are important to all age groups.
"Our church focus is primarily on its children's program and its youth," he said, adding, "Union Grove continues to emphasize our past and look upon it very favorably."
The contemporary service, Hilyer said, will include drums, guitars and keyboards -- in contrast to the choral harmonies and Southern gospel style that will continue to be part of the traditional service.
Todd Parker, formerly of the popular local gospel group Holy Destiny, will be leading the music during the traditional service, while youth and worship leader Scott Gothard will lead the contemporary praise team.
Hilyer calls the new service a "step of faith."
"We don't want to call it an experiment," he said. "We want to call it a step of faith to offer all of our people here an opportunity to worship in an environment that's comfortable to them."
The church will not hold evening services on the first and third Sundays, in order to allow more family time. Evening services will continue on second and fourth Sundays, however.
"Churches need to be family friendly," Hilyer said. "We're trying to meet people right where they are."
Hilyer said the goal of morning services on second and fourth Sundays will be to achieve a balance in which everyone will benefit from the service.
On fifth Sundays the church plans to have a special evangelistic emphasis in the evening, such as a guest speaker, guest singers or testimonials.
The gospel message, however, will remain the same, according to Hilyer.
"A gospel message will be preached and an invitation given at the end of every service," he said.
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Comments
Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For those that have never heard brother Matt preach you should go to one of his services because his messages are a blessing. He and Ginger are wonderful people that come from a wonderful family.
I think this is an AWESOME idea Good job!
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone define "contemporary service" for me. Does it mean blue jeans and praise choruses instead of suits and hymns or it more than that?
Posted by larryjohns (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Contemporary is just more modern. Church can sometimes get to be a social club. One reason, not the only reason, but one is people do the same thing over and over every Sunday just because that is the way grandpaw did it 75 years ago. It just gets boring and people try to make it a social club without even realizing it. Congrats to UGBC, finally moving into the 21st century. Maybe other Churches will follow. I have also heard good things about Matt and his family, i am glad to hear that he is doing something for that Church. So many Churches are falling behind times because of tradition.
Posted by larryjohns (anonymous) on May 27, 2009 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To answer your question, yes it means blue jeans or what ever you want to wear. Generaly they do not sing out of hymns, they sing more contemporary songs that will not be found in hymns. It is just a more laid back enviroment where people don't judge you for wearing blue jeans to church, and you can worship God like you want to. Maybe i will attend this Church soon.
Posted by chiltontransplant (anonymous) on May 28, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Brother Matt and his congregation will go through some trying times over the next few months. Our church (Chestnut Creek) has been having contemporary services for the last 3 years in our 9 o'clock and 90% contemporary (musically speaking) in our 11 o'clock. We have been called everything but a Christian church since. But we just completed a 2+ million dollar building, so a small price to pay for success. Don't give up on your vision Brother Matt, God will bless!!
Posted by psychologistdmp (anonymous) on May 28, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't have a problem with "contemporary" music and/or wearing something less than a suit and tie to church, but I do find it a little frustrating that more and more church congregations feel that they must seperate services due to personal preferences of some of its members. If it has come to the point where a congregation will absolutely refuse to sing a song that wasn't written before 1970 or feels that wearing blue jeans is a "sin straight from hell" then it sounds like the hearts of those in the church need to change, not the type of service. This is not a bashing of traditionalists, but I do feel that different types of music can be incorporated into one service without forcing people to leave or be excommunicated.
Posted by psychologistdmp (anonymous) on May 28, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The same goes for kids, teenagers, young adults who feel that they cannot sing and/or worship with classic hymms that have stood the test of time. It also does not mean that people should not wear their best to God's House. Whether that is a $100 pair of blue jeans or a suit does not matter. The type of service we should have is not specifically laid out in the Bible, but what is said is that God's people should come together to worship.
Posted by Rickey (anonymous) on June 13, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Change is always difficult. But I am so proud that a Church is willing to move with the times, knowing that our good God loves us just the same. Personally, I belong to a Church that is rooted in 2,000+ years of history and tradition; it is ran mostly by men; and it is headquartered in Rome. I see change as a good thing!
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