Two Services, One Mission
God is at work at Harvest Plains! As of October 5, 2025, we’ll begin gathering for two worship services each Sunday. This shift not only makes room for more people to hear the gospel, but also reflects the unity, excitement, and faithfulness we see in our church body. Here are some FAQs to guide you as we take this next step together.
We’ve carefully planned to mitigate this by fostering unity through a variety of means. These intentional approaches include regular quarterly member meetings on Sunday evenings, all-church Sunday schools on Sunday evenings (TBD), all-church events, a shared between-service-fellowship-time, and encouragement of cross-service attendance (see below).
Additionally, ministries such as the men’s theology group, men and women’s Bible studies, and life groups are important components of a unified church.
Our current plan is to maintain one worship service during the summer months when our regular attendance is lower and possibly return to one service in Phase 4 (Build) of the long-term strategic plan provided space constraints.
Our goal is one church worshipping at two times. The elders will continually and regularly evaluate the logistical aspects of this move (parking, space, unity, etc.) and make necessary adjustments when necessary and possible. The first of these evaluations is scheduled for Nov. 2025.
The elders will rely both upon the congregation to make intentional efforts towards unity as well as assist in facilitating this through the following means:
- Quarterly regular member meetings where new members are received, our long-term strategic plan is discussed, and other business conducted. Some of these meetings will include a meal together.
- Organized all-church events such as park days.
- Encouraged attendance and service in ministries across services.
- Continued Life Groups for fellowship and the practice of the “one anothers.”
- Regular elder attendance at both or alternating worship services.
Yes, both services will be the same, with the exception of some volunteers. We believe that a unified approach across both services prevents affinity groups from forming and will reduce the risk of two churches forming within the context of Harvest Plains.
The sermon, worship songs, Scripture reading, and prayer of confession, and communion will be the same at each worship service. Additionally, volunteers for each of these ministry areas will (as currently planned) be conducted by the same parties.
Yes, children’s ministry (for ages 3–5) will be offered at both services to support families provided volunteers are available. We believe this is important to serve all families who may have different preferences for worship times. Additionally, it is our desire to avoid creating incentives (such as childcare offerings at one service but not another) that would lead to particular demographics attending one service but not the other, thus contributing to “two churches.”
Two different sets of volunteers will be used for each worship service time.
We believe that our fellowship time is an important part of fostering a unified church, personal relationships, and important conversations. Therefore, fellowship and treats will be served between services to further encourage connection across attendees. We’re working to streamline this process for efficiency with the hospitality team to expedite the process of moving through the treats line.
Some ministry areas will serve at both services while others will coordinate with two different volunteer teams across worship services.
- The worship team, soundboard operator, hospitality team, Scripture reader, and offering counters will serve both services (with offerings being counted after the second service).
- Communion servers, ushers, the visual team, and children’s ministry/nursery volunteers will have separate teams for each service.
Yes. The need for volunteers will increase slightly but we also expect that availability will increase.
For many volunteer positions the number of required volunteers will not increase but the time commitment will as the assigned volunteer may need to serve at both services. In some instances (such as Scripture reading) the volunteer may leave the second service immediately following their ministry service during the worship time.
In other instances, the number of required volunteers will increase. Volunteer coordination and planning will still be handled by the applicable deacons.
Ministry and service to others is a critical component of discipleship. Discipleship and growth further into the likeness of Christ occurs as we serve one another. Therefore, we’re encouraged by the further opportunities that this move provides to the people of Harvest Plains to serve one another and grow in their likeness to Jesus.
Planning Center supports two services. Volunteer coordinators will work with their ministry teams to coordinate participation at the worship service you want to serve at. We will do our best to ensure that you serve at your preferred service although your ministry leader may occasionally request that you serve at a time that does not reflect your preferred worship time. Additionally, the function to “decline” a service opportunity will not change.
Elders will work directly with ministry leaders to train and assist in the development of systems and processes that support this.