Members are also helping with the chores of running a church, giving pastors more time to prepare for services and provide counseling. Churches are constantly working for local charities, providing food and clothing. Sacred Heart has a clothing center and food pantry, but the Rev. Mottet noted that churches need to make changes by working at the causes, not just small solutions. Churches are also attempting to reach out through different types of services. There are many places of worship that have a traditional and contemporary service to meet the needs of all kinds of people.
Contemporary services are more informal, have more music, and are usually later in the morning.
People who have never belonged to a church may find this service more comfortable to start out with. While some churches may be afraid to add a contemporary service because of older members of their congregation, other churches are quickly realizing that a contemporary service may speak to younger generations, which are needed to keep attendance steady. Not that people should go to church, or that people have to go to church, but that people want to go to church,'' said Rev. Gehrke. Copyright 2001, Moline Dispatch Publishing Co.