Warrenton UMC, Winchester District

Worship with a ‘coffeehouse’ format is one of two contemporary services that happen about the same time Sunday mornings at Warrenton UMC, bracketed by more traditional services.

Warrenton United Methodist Church is changing with its surroundings, says pastor John Chadsey, who has served the church for 14 years. The community has gone from rural horse country to a fast-growing bedroom community for Washington, D.C., and is a destination for shoppers. The church is being treated in much the same way, as members and visitors drive in from an expanding geographic area.

Warrenton has four services on Sunday morning, including two different contemporary services that start at 9:30 and 9:45. One is a "coffeehouse" setting; informal and with worshipers sitting at round tables. The message from one service is beamed to the other via a video link.

The contemporary services have seen the fastest growth, mainly because they reach the area’s main demographic: young professionals with families. The casual style appeals to couples where one spouse is "reluctant" to attend church, Chadsey says. "The greatest evangelical tool a church has is its worship time."

"Our congregation is remarkably diverse," says Chadsey. "We have one woman who has been a part of this church for 80 years. It’s exciting to see different age groups and different ethnic groups all worshiping together."

The church has always had a strong mission orientation, led by its youth group members and their director, Ted Burns. Programs are offered on local, state, national and international levels. Many work teams have gone to Nicaragua, to inner-city Washington and to the Gulf Coast for Katrina relief. "Mission work creates a sense of excitement, gratitude and praise to God," Chadsey said. "They go out to serve God and find themselves deeply blessed."

Associate pastor Sarah McQueen, who began serving at Warrenton last summer, says a variety of church programs allow the laity to "live out their call to ministry. ... We try to encourage and empower our lay members to use the gifts that God has given them."