Congregations across the U.S. struggled with whether or not to hold their Sunday night services on February 2 because of Super Bowl XLVII in New York City. According to The Christian Post, megachurch NewSpring in South Carolina cancelled or moved their worship services to accommodate families watching the game, and pastor Perry Noble says the act is neither worldly nor sinful.
A church should meet together, according to the Bible, Pastor Noble writes. “However, there are not any verses mandating a Biblical time for worship,” he says, acknowledging that the Super Bowl is one of the most watched events on television every single year. “Our job as a church is not to try to make a POINT by competing with culture, but rather to make a difference by leveraging what is going on in culture to reach as many people as possible.”
North Point Church in Alpharetta, Ga., pastored by Andy Stanley, also cancelled its Sunday evening service and encouraged the congregation to “enjoy the Super Bowl.”
However, Mars Hill Church in Tacoma didn’t move any of its usual five Sunday services, but pastor Bubba Jennings does expect attendance will be down.
Did you cancel or move any of your Sunday services to accommodate the game? Why or why not? Share your thoughts below.
