Easter Sunday is arguably the most well-attended Sunday of the year for churches. Mother’s Day and Christmas Eve (when it falls on a Sunday) both compete for the highest attendance of the year, but neither of those holidays can compete with the energy, engagement, and elevated style of Easter Sunday. I’ve often heard it referred to as “the Super Bowl Sunday” for the church. This year I also heard a new title for Easter Sunday: Church Prom.
I must admit, I laughed more than a little when I discovered this new-to-me designation. It was used as a hashtag on a social media post of a well-dressed family, neatly posed for their obligatory Easter picture. It is more than likely that you have seen, and possibly participated in, more than a few Easter images yourself. Perhaps those pictures were even taken at church in a specific area designed for the taking of such photos in your Easter finery. It does give off strong prom vibes.
The word prom is short for “promenade.” It means to take a leisurely public walk to meet with or be seen by others.
The word prom is short for “promenade.” It means to take a leisurely public walk to meet with or be seen by others. One of my favorite parts of Easter Sunday is standing at the door of the church, greeting all of the fine folks who make their way through our doors. I enjoy watching the kids in matching outfits, the color coordinated families, and the friendly faces as they quite literally “promenade” through our doors and down our halls. It is a day when being a door holder in the house of the Lord is better than a thousand elsewhere (Psalm 84:10). There is truly nowhere I’d rather be.
I admit that as a pastor, I wish that every Sunday was like Easter. I wish we had to worry every Sunday morning about running out of seats. I wish the singing had the same energy and volume. I wish people were as eager to engage as they seem to be as we declare together the truth of the resurrection, that “Christ is risen; He is risen indeed.” There is a special air of anticipation and celebration that permeates the church on Easter Sunday. It’s a moment when we don’t just speak and sing of new life, we manifest and memorialize it as we join the promenade of believers through the ages who have heard, declared, and believed the hope of new and lasting life by grace through faith in the crucified and risen Savior, Jesus Christ.
Each photo presents people whom God dearly loves and people for whom Jesus died.
I take great encouragement from the “Church Prom” photos I continue to see online. It is evidence of numerous friends and families who gathered together at local churches to hear the truth of the gospel. Each photo is a reminder of an opportunity to foster connection and build greater community. Each photo presents people whom God dearly loves and people for whom Jesus died. Each photo is a reminder that the new life that comes through Jesus is available to all who believe and it’s something worthy of celebration.
Allow me to close with two challenges. First, for those who lead our local churches. Let’s put the same energy and effort into every Sunday that we do Easter. I’m not suggesting that every Sunday should be a spectacle, but every Sunday should be special. The truth is every Sunday is resurrection Sunday. The church transitioned from gathering on Saturdays to Sundays because of the resurrection. Sunday is called the Lord’s Day because it is the day on which the Lord was raised from the grave; It is the day of His ultimate victory. Every time we meet should be a time of celebration. Is that what people experience in our churches every week?
Sunday is called the Lord’s Day because it is the day on which the Lord was raised from the grave; It is the day of His ultimate victory. Every time we meet should be a time of celebration.
Second, I want to issue an invitation/reminder: The church will be open again next Sunday, and the Sunday after that, and every subsequent Sunday. I feel safe in saying that any of the churches in your area would be ecstatic to have you join them. We have space for you and would love to have you join us as we face life’s struggles together and celebrate the hope and healing found in the living and risen Christ.
