This spring Westminster Presbyterian Church began offering alternative worship at 5 p.m. on Saturdays, in addition to the Sunday morning worship service. Dress can be as casual as jeans and tennis shoes. Attendance the first month ranged from 75 to 125 people. Surprisingly, half of those who came were older people drawn by the different time or informal atmosphere. The alternative services feature dance, drama, puppets and a mixture of contemporary and traditional music.
Young adults serve as ushers, greeters, liturgists and lay preachers.
These answers are fed into a computer data base, which helps match members with particular ministries. The church has hired a full-time lay staff member to assess the gifts of members and plug them in where they can make the best contributions. Sometimes new ministries are generated in the process. Before choosing topics for church school or study groups, Westminster leaders listen to young adults talk about their interests and needs. Young adults also want to learn about the beliefs of other religions, what makes a good marriage, and Christian perspectives on social issues.