Drive-In Worship Ignites Congregation

Though many churches have created worship experiences akin to a theater – through elaborate seating and lighting -- New Hope United Methodist Church in Marietta, Ga. is now emulating a different kind of theater: a drive-in movie.

The Associated Press reported that the church has launched a drive-in worship ministry in the past month, inviting congregants to “Come worship in your car, just as you are.” Off the beaten path and having a registry of fewer than 100 people, the church’s pastor, the Rev. Norman Markle, felt the need to take a radical chance. The worship proceeds as a traditional service would with hymns, a sermon and communion. Attendees can tune their car radios to an AM station and hear the audio clearly.

“Maybe they don't have a church or don't care to get dressed up to go to church; let's find a way to eliminate all that,” Markle said to reporters, speaking of the audience they’re trying to reach. “People go where they're comfortable.” The 150-year-old church is still in the early stages with the venture. For example, when tuning in to the AM station, a sports talk radio signal can interfere. But that hasn’t kept many from embracing it.

Worship attendee Renee Ford-Murphy said to the AP, “I think it’s incredible. I’ve never had the opportunity to worship in the open air like this.” On warm mornings, many attendees will pull into the parking lot in pickup trucks and pile into the cab.

New Hope isn’t the first or only church to host drive-in worship. California megachurch The Crystal Cathedral, with its 10,000 members, pioneered a similar program in the 1950s, and the AP writer estimates there are 11 churches nationwide that currently have drive-in worship. In light of decreasing church attendance across the country, numerous churches have gotten creative with their outreach  and marketing. Sidney First United Methodist in Sidney, Ohio, started a country rock worship service that meets in a bar. Thee Global Rock Hip-Hop Church in Irving, Texas, uses rap music to worship the Lord.