Alternative Practice Of The Christian Year In Seekers’ Service/believers’ Worship

In endeavoring to reach unchurched seekers, Willow Creek Community Church incorporates into its worship recognition of the holidays of the general calendar followed in society rather than rigidly adhering to the Christian year. Thus the church has sponsored special presentations and outreach efforts in connection with Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July as well as Easter and Christmas. Since Willow Creek Community Church is nondenominational and only seventeen years old, there are no real traditions for following the Christian year. Christmas and Easter are the only two Christian holidays the church celebrates with special programs. The church has also given services for some holidays not part of the Christian year: Thanksgiving, New Year's Day and the Fourth of July. Willow Creek concentrates on preaching and living the gospel for seekers and the unchurched. By recognizing the rhythms of the surrounding communities more than denominational traditions, the church wants to remove an…