A new week...a wonderful dilemma

Forgive me blogosphere, for I have sinned. It's been one week since my last post.

Y'know everytime that I make up my mind to be more consistent in my blogging, I find ways to distract myself. But I couldn't not blog today... this weekend was spectacular!

The weekend stats: Attendance was 365 at our two Sunday morning services; a 105 person (40%) increase from the same weekend last year. Our 10:45 service is totally full. The earlier service which begins at the crazy hour of 9:00 (much sarcasm) has half as many attenders. Exactly half, in fact...122 vs. 243.

There is a huge difference in the dynamic between first service and second. The question is...is it a factor of the early time or is it to be expected from the people who choose an early service? Could it be that the people who come to the early service are just 'getting their church' over with so that they can get on with their day? That's a depressing thought!

I've thought about going to about 20 enthusiatic leaders and begging them to switch to the early service and become worship thermostats (thermostats change their environments). If that doesn't work, I may invest in a laugh track that I can use during PK's sermons and the various media that we use.

Our services are designed to be identical, but after an early service that was mediocre, I was actually afraid people might start throwing chairs during the 10:45...it was that exciting and powerful. This is probably a programming issue. What can we do to help people, who are struggling on a Sunday morning, connect with God in a meaningful way. How can we help them engage?

I can remember mornings when it was two or three songs into a worship service before I really "got it." How can we help people "get it" from the start? Stronger coffee? Ephedrine?

It's possible that my expectations are off. I have often been guilty of expecting everyone else to be just like me...feel the same way, connect the same way, etc. Perhaps we just need to listen harder to what the felt needs are for those who come to the earlier service.

Does anyone else experience this? I'd love to have your feedback! This won't go away soon, I'm sure.