Surely the adults can see the benefit of discipling the young people in their walk with God, after all the changes don't necessarily have to be too huge in order to make worship accessible to young people. Sure they may want more modern music, but they have to respect the preferences of older folk too i.e. there needs to be a mix. However simple steps like making sure the language in prayers and teaching is 'child friendly' goes a long way. Also asking the children/young people to write prayers or dramatise a bible reading (this could just be by different voices reading the speech of different 'characters' – it doesn't require acting or costumes!!) helps them to think about what they are doing & why. I know I am out of touch with the congregation at Spurgeon's but surely these steps are not that radical?

Hetty (always available for international guest appearances and consults)

Totally agree with your second paragraph – but it's not quite that simple. We all know what adults are like ;o) Every two months we have a service which is aimed at young people, but sadly some adults still vote with their feet and regularly stay away.

When things are radically changed people often get behind it with enthusiasm and energy. Then a year or so down the track it's a one man show (probably a one Ricky show in this instance).

If you were to choose this path, may I suggest you put in place practices that will avoid people giving up on it after a while.

What about making the changes outlined in option one, evaluating in 3 months, then looking at option two again. You may find that the new-look 'spot' is acheiving some of the outcomes you want from option two.

By the way, why do you prefer option two? In your intro you said if it's the right thing we should go ahead, not letting practicalities stand in our way. On what basis do you believe option two to be the right action?

Still your biggest faraway fan!
Hetty

Being even more radical – you could combine options 2 & 3. Why not go for option 2 on a weekly basis & then once a month have a time of worship as per option 3. This need not replace the morning service but could be at an alternative time i.e. early evening.

As for alienating the adults – how do they know they don't like something if they've never tried it? Also worship should be 'God centered' not 'me centered'. It's not 'will I enjoy this style of worship' but rather 'does this enable me to build my relationship with God' that is important.

Children and young people should be encouraged to worship 'in spirit and truth' – developing their own authentic worshipful responses to the Lord. Whilst they can learn how to worship from the example of adults, there is also the danger that this may inhibit their own desire to worship more authentically. Spurgeons is fairly conservative in its worship (somehow that seems like an oxymoron when it written down, but I hope you know what I mean), and so having grown up at Spurgeons I find my natural response in worship is also fairly conservative. There is real value in young people having their own space to worship too.