Evangelical megachurches divided on whether to cancel worship service on Christmas
Churches in the United States are divided on whether to cancel worship services on Christmas, which falls on a Sunday this year. Many of them have announced to hold services with adjustments to the usual schedule, while some are opting not to.
North Point Community Church, which has headquarters in Georgia, will continue the tradition of not holding church services on Christmas Sunday. Bill Willits, Director of Ministry Environments of North Point, said, "Our volunteers are very, very grateful because it's such a busy season," according to Gospel Herald.
Buckhead Tower Point is another prominent church that traditionally does not hold worship services on Christmas Sundays, and this year will be no different, as announced on its website.
Even though there are megachurches that are opting to cancel services on Christmas day, a recent survey from LifeWay Research indicates that nearly 9 out of 10 Protestant senior pastors say that their churches are set to hold services on Christmas Day as well as on New year's Day.
Illinois-based Willow Creek Community Church is one of the major churches that is going to hold services on Christmas. "We have nine services leading up to Christmas, and will also hold a service on Christmas Day at 10 a.m. The last time that Christmas Day fell on a Sunday [in 2011], Senior Pastor Bill Hybels and his family led a wonderful service," Heather Larson, executive pastor at the organization, told The Christian Post.
Back in 2005, Willow Creek Community Church was one of those who did not hold a service on Christmas Day but instead handed out a DVD for families to watch together at home.
Immanuel Bible Church in Virginia is another major evangelical organization that will offer worship service on the last Sunday of 2016, although Steve Holly, the organization's pastor of ministries, shared with CP that they will not be holding Sunday school for children or adult bible fellowships on the said day. Holley explained that they usually find it challenging to get children to attend services on Christmas day as many families are traveling for the holiday.
