McElwain creates tailgate for worship

Football season in the South — it’s hard to get much bigger than that. 

But McElwain Baptist Church, Birmingham, leaders hoped to capitalize on football fever with their Fall Classic: Tailgate Sunday. The idea was to generate the same kind of enthusiasm and preparation for worship that thousands across the state invest in football on Saturdays.

“What if we put this same enthusiasm in our preparation for Sunday worship as we do preparing for the big game?” asked Jody Baker, minister of education and administration.

So on Oct. 12, rather than attending their traditional Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., the congregation met on the church’s ballfield for a huge tailgate experience followed by worship. Church leaders recreated the atmosphere of a giant tailgate party — church members wore casual clothes, brought their own lawn chairs and dined on tailgate food to gear up for worship just as they would their favorite team.

The day’s speaker was Josh Niblett, head football coach of the Hoover High School Bucaneers.

Baker said, “The ultimate goal of the Christian is to be a player for Christ, totally committed, sacrificing all.”

The event “was a super day for the church and community,” she said. “Many neighbors joined us as we celebrated the Lord’s day with food, fun and great worship music. … Tailgate Sunday may become an annual event at McElwain.”

(Partners by Design)