20-minute church

You've got to remember that not everything I say has been thoroughly thought-through (good trio of words, eh?). But here's an idea: 20-Minute church services. Obviously not for everyone or everyplace but might be perfect sometimes.
So what do you eliminate?

Eliminate live offerings-people can give on-line or through machines in the lobby.

Reduce sermon to a 5-minute introduction and distribute the full version on CDs for later listening, in addition to posting as podcasts.
No announcements, just let people read them in handouts.

Reduce praise and worship time to 10 minutes: 3 good songs.

Voila...20 minutes.

Why? you may ask? To make the good new accessible to a busy people

Probably a terrible idea, I'd really argue against it, if people are only engaging once a week. But I'd give it a shot if it were in conjunction with outreach/service ministry during the week: less focus on the found ones, more on the wandering ones.
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Comments

[Rindy Walton]

And take it not only to the community, but IN the community! People who don't attend church don't think about church...give them a taste where they are and beginning breaking down the barriers that too often keep them away. I'm in!!!

[Karyn Ferver]

In response to the 20-min. church
By short-functioning churches;

Are you POSITIVE, by doing actions
that limit a church's function, you're not shortchanging God?

Can YOU divide saved from missing?
Everyone hurts...
can you REALLY turn hurting, new Christians away for the missing?
What does this mean (to you)!
Faith without works is dead.
Works without faith is in vain.

[John Adams]

I tried this at my last church for a Saturday service. It started at 5:00PM and lasted until 5:35PM. I left the offering plate on a table next to the door to the sanctuary. We used dvds (music & visuals) for our 15 minute praise and worship time. We shared our joys & concerns and prayed together. Then I would share about a 8-10 minute sermon. After that, we would celebrate the Lord's Supper.

Within six months, that service added 1/3 more attendance to weekly worship and brought people to God who would have never come to our Sunday morning service. :)