Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church's drive-in service for changing times

People listen from their cars or while sitting in lawn chairs during a drive-in worship service conducted from a gazebo at Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church.
People listen from their cars or while sitting in lawn chairs during a drive-in worship service conducted from a gazebo at Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church.
photo Just like a drive-in movie where you pull into a spot, sit inside your car or pull out lawn chairs and sit with others outside, Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church has been offering a drive-through church service for the past couple of years.

Just like a drive-in movie where you pull into a spot, sit inside your car or pull out lawn chairs and sit with others outside, Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church has been offering a drive-through church service for the past couple of years.

"We are concerned that there are many people in our community who are not ready, willing or perhaps simply not comfortable entering a traditional church sanctuary to attend a worship service," says the Rev. Grady Davidson at Lookout Valley Presbyterian.

And now there's another concern that's being addressed. The church's drive-in worship has been held at 8:45 a.m. but because the traditional in-church service followed at 10 a.m., it was a "quick turn around" to have both services so close together, Davidson says.

So starting Sunday, the drive-in service will be held at 6 p.m. The church, which has about 90 members, does not have a traditional Sunday night service in the sanctuary.

photo Molly Epperson, left, and Lydia Davidson sing as part of the service.

"Early morning is probably not the best time to expect people who aren't regular churchgoers to attend," Davidson says, noting that about 20 people on average attended the morning service. He's hoping that, by moving it to later in the day, those numbers will go up.

While some members of the church will attend the drive-in service, most are visitors. "The focus of this service is definitely outreach rather than 'in reach,'" Davidson says.

photo The Rev. Grady Davidson delivers a sermon during a drive-in worship service.

Visitors to the drive-in worship service may remain in their cars and tune the radios to the church broadcast on FM 93.3. Or, if weather permits, they can bring a lawn chair or blanket and sit outside. An opportunity to make an offering is presented, though there is no obligation, Davidson says, but money raised at the service assists people in crisis by helping with such things as water and power bills and groceries.

Music at the service is mostly contemporary integrated with some of the older, familiar hymns. Sermons focus on New Testament passages.

Parishioners Steve and Patsy Evans presented the idea to church leaders about five years ago, says Davidson.

"When they vacation in Florida, they enjoy worshiping at a drive-in service down there. Even with the multitude of established churches here in Chattanooga, there are still many people who have no connection with any church. So the Evans began talking about this concept as a way to create a venue where people who are not going to church could come and be challenged concerning the claims of Jesus Christ," he says.

"We notice that people tend to compartmentalize their lives. Spiritual things are confined to special places, sanctuaries, but God deserves to be worshipped in all places and at all times. The natural beauty of the outdoors on a summer evening, enjoyed while seated on a camp chair or on a blanket or if it's raining, even in your car, is extremely conducive to thinking of God's creativity and glory."

Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396.

photo Halie G. Forstner, age 104, and Helen Baysden follow along in their programs while they sit in Baysden's car.

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