RICHMOND, VA--(Marketwire - Jul 31, 2012) - Christianity has instilled many values which are prevalent in modern society including the idea that Sunday is a day reserved for rest and worship. However, as with most things, change in times calls for change in practice. For this reason, many churches are adopting new days to offer services to their congregations to ensure that people can continue to worship. A recent article from The Huffington Post observes this trend as a particular response to the heat and activity that summer brings about; different worship days mean that parishioners can stay out of morning heat or enjoy the outdoors. While some faithful citizens may be reluctant to join in such services, the Richmond Outreach Center, a Christian church in Richmond, Virginia, reports its own positive results in its non-traditional Saturday service.

Summer heat is known to make the most active people lazy, and according to The Huffington Post, it can also make the religious less attentive to their own personal place of worship. It is for that reason that the pastor of First Congregational Church of Salem, New Hampshire, moved the hot, stuffy summer Sunday worship to Wednesday evenings, where his members could worship in the cool basement of the church. For leaders of religious communities, it is important to maintain their members and make sure they stay close to God. In the article, Deacon Owen Williams, observes, "If people take a break from worshipping, they sometimes don't pick that habit back up."

Pastor Geronimo Aguilar of the Richmond Outreach Center notes that by giving the faithful an alternative worship time, they may be more responsive and willing to attend services. He explains how adopting such practices allowed his church to grow and serve the Richmond community, "We initially launched our church services on Saturday night in anticipation that we would have a better response if people didn't 'turn their backs' on their home churches in order to attend our service. It was originally a group of Christians from all denominations and all walks of life working together to bring change to our community."

While the Richmond Outreach Center chooses Saturday as its alternative night of worship, the article reports that many churches are opting for the noted Wednesday night services. The article indicates that with these services, many churches experience, "improved attendance, slightly fatter coffers and invigorated spirituality as curious newcomers drop by and join in."

On the subject of reluctance, Aguilar says that his church has proven that such changes are widely accepted. He concludes, "I've had people -- pastors, even -- tell me the Richmond Outreach Center wouldn't work just for being nontraditional. Boy, were they wrong."

ABOUT:

Founded in 2001, the Richmond Outreach Center has provided many Christian-based services to improve the community through health, education and spirituality. The organization has been credited for reducing crime in the Richmond area, as well as helping many needy families and homeless individuals who suffer from drug addiction, hunger and poor health. The Richmond Outreach Center strives to improve the lives of these people through genuine encouragement and passing on the values associated with the Christian faith.

For more information about the Richmond Outreach Center, visit www.theroc.com.