Some churches in Metro Detroit are finding unique ways to tell people about Jesus.
Shepard’s Gate in Shelby Township started a bibles and brew that they host at a nearby pub.
“You're in a pub. Everyone has their bibles open, they're having a beer while we're going through the study together. It's pretty incredible,” says Pastor Tim Bollinger.
According to the Hartford Institute of Religion Research, 4,000 churches close their doors every year.
Lead Pastor David Dummitt for 242 Community Church says it’s about showing Gods Love and meeting people where they are. His church has offered free tattoos and they’ve paid to bring gas prices down for drivers.
“We've given away the first offering to the local food bank or the local charity. We're trying to let people that show up know the kind of church we're trying to be,” Dummitt says.
According to the study more than 40 percent of people say they go to church every week, but statistics show that fewer than half actually attend.
Each year 2.7 million church members stop being active.
"I think when people see that you're having fun, I think when people see that you enjoy what you do, sometimes they think you're obviously not teaching the bible because if you were teaching the bible you would be in the decline like other churches, but the truth is I think we're more hungry for Jesus, people are hungry for God's truth, they're hungry for community, they're hungry for a purpose, so we're trying to do our best to provide that,” Dummitt explains.
Shepard’s Gate says they’re planning to do more like a bible bike and breakfast, and the blessing of the pets.
"The model has always been 'we will do anything short of sin to reach people that are far from Christ or don't know Christ'. So when you start with tha,t the skies the limit really,” Bollinger says.
Both churches have seen growth, but say even if people don’t decided to go to their church it’s all about showing God’s love.
