Pastor adjusts church’s start times to reflect Bible verses

Bethany Baptist hopes to reach younger locals, provide inspiration.

Emily Wermes, Ben Lippencott, Jeremy Johnson and Daniel Duval lead the congregation of Bethany Baptist Chuch in songs at the start of the church's contemporary service on Sunday, Sept. 5.

David Moodie/Contributing photographer Emily Wermes, Ben Lippencott, Jeremy Johnson and Daniel Duval lead the congregation of Bethany Baptist Chuch in songs at the start of the church's contemporary service on Sunday, Sept. 5.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Audio and video team member Deron Buchanan prepares for the contemporary service at Bethany Baptist Church in Liberty Twp. on Sunday, Sept. 5. The service is targeted toward church members who enjoy contemporary music over the traditional hymns. Bethany also has a traditional service on Sundays.

David Moodie/Contributing photographer Audio and video team member Deron Buchanan prepares for the contemporary service at Bethany Baptist Church in Liberty Twp. on Sunday, Sept. 5. The service is targeted toward church members who enjoy contemporary music over the traditional hymns. Bethany also has a traditional service on Sundays.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Lindsey Hilty, Staff Writer Updated 9:01 AM Wednesday, September 8, 2010

LIBERTY TWP. — Bethany Baptist Church is changing things up a bit to reach a younger crowd and inspire its congregation.

The new contemporary service at 11:11 a.m. has a deeper meaning, Pastor Doug Wolf said. The verse Mark 11:11 references Jesus and his disciples heading to Bethany at a later hour.

“I was just trying to think of something unique and something different,” he said.

The early service will be at nine minutes to 9 a.m. in reference to Matthew 9:9, where Jesus encourages Matthew to “get up” and follow him.

The idea to create a play on words — and time — he said came from wrestling with how to best organize Sunday services. When he considered offering Sunday School at 10:10 a.m., the Bible verse, John 10:10 came to him. It talks about how Jesus came so others may have an abundant life, and Wolf said he can launch people to a new altitude.

“We get that in part through our Bible study and learning and growing from that,” he said.

Secretary Sue Wolf said the changes are all designed to help grow the congregation of 100 both in size and knowledge of God’s word. The theme of Sunday school, she said, is Higher Altitude Learning Classes to launch members to a new “altitude,” which stands for “Abundant Life Training Intended to Uniquely Disciple and Equip.”

“We’re excited,” she said. “There’s just a lot of exciting things going on right now.”

For the children, she said, there will be a new Children’s Church with a Vacation Bible School format for ages 3 to third-grade. This will be offered during the contemporary second-service.

“We’re taking on the new contemporary service trying to reach the younger generation for Christ,” she said. “We have a heart for that.”

It took about eight months to prepare for the launch on Sept. 5, she said.

This is in addition to the many other activities already at the church, including Bible studies, youth group events and AWANA, Doug Wolf said.

“From newborns all the way up to senior citizens, we have something for everybody,” he said.