10 Church Service Habits That Need a 2025 Makeover

Church services are a labor of love, but let’s be honest - it can be easy to fall into certain habits that don’t always serve the bigger mission. 

Over the years, I’ve noticed patterns in all kinds of churches that hinder them from creating truly impactful worship experiences. While these aren’t catastrophic mistakes, they can make a difference in how we connect with our communities and glorify God.

This list isn’t about criticism—it’s about encouragement! I hope that by recognizing these common missteps, we can refine how we serve and bring even more intentionality into our worship experiences in 2025. 

With that in mind, here are a few church service missteps to avoid and some practical ways to address them. 

10 Church Service Mistakes to Avoid in 2025 

1. Starting Late

We’ve all experienced it—the Sunday service is set to start, but people are still trickling in from the lobby or the parking lot. You’re tempted to delay the start by a few minutes, hoping everyone will be seated before that key announcement or the first worship song. But here’s the thing: starting late doesn’t solve the problem. It reinforces it.

When services consistently start late, it can create a culture where late arrivals become the norm. This will make it harder for your church to encourage a sense of consistency and respect for everyone’s time.

Do This Instead: 

Gently remind your congregation of the start time, and take steps to encourage an early arrival. Consider offering pre-service coffee in the lobby, using lobby speakers or TVs to broadcast the service countdown, or creating an engaging pre-service atmosphere to draw people in. And most importantly, start on time! This simple commitment communicates that your church values the time and effort of everyone who shows up.

2. Avoiding Controversial Topics

Let’s face it: avoiding tough conversations doesn’t make them go away. Churches that shy away from addressing relevant but challenging issues risk feeling disconnected from the realities their members face.

I experienced this firsthand while on staff at a church a few years ago. The temptation to steer clear of hot-button issues was real, but it became clear that silence left a void. If your church isn’t helping people navigate hard conversations, social media and the culture around them surely will—and not always with a biblical lens. 

Do This Instead: 

Approach these topics with prayer, humility, and a commitment to biblical truth. Thoughtful, honest leadership that engages with difficult subjects can create deeper connections with your congregation and provide the guidance they’re seeking. You don’t need to take sides, but you do need to pastor your people through the complexities of life.

3. Comparing Services

Does your church have multiple services? If so, it may be tempting to compare one to the other. Perhaps you’ve heard—or even said—the classic line, “First service was way more engaged than this one!” While it might seem like a harmless observation, these comparisons can unintentionally diminish the unique value of each service.

Do This Instead: 

Remember that each service is unique—and that’s okay! Perhaps the early service offers a quieter atmosphere for deep reflection while the later service hums with energy and excitement. God has equipped your church to meet the unique needs of your community, and every service plays a role in that mission. Lean into what makes each one special and appreciate how they complement one another rather than comparing them.

4. Having the Wrong Focus in Worship

Worship is a delicate balance between leading people into a space of connecting with God and pouring love back to Him. At the end of the day, though, it’s always about God. Worship is a vertical experience more than a horizontal one, but it’s easy to lose sight of that priority. When worship starts feeling more like a concert—focused on performance rather than presence—something crucial gets lost.

Do This Instead: 

Keep the heart of worship at the forefront. Remind your team that their role is to lead others in glorifying God, not to showcase their own talent. Plan worship sets intentionally, centering them on scripture and moments that draw people closer to Jesus. Worship isn’t about impressing—it’s about inviting people into God’s presence.

5. Giving Too Many Announcements

Have you ever sat through a service where the announcement time felt longer than the sermon? Same here! When you only have one service a week to communicate with your congregation, it’s tempting to cram in every detail about every event. However, too many announcements can overwhelm your audience and prevent them from retaining the announcements at all.

Do This Instead: 

Be selective. Highlight only the most essential updates during the service. For everything else, direct people to your website, app, or social media. Use creative tools like pre-service slides or video announcements to share additional information without disrupting the flow of worship. Less is more when it comes to ensuring people actually remember what you’re sharing.

6. Using Communication Mediums Unintentionally

If you’ve never heard the phrase "the medium is the message," it’s an important communication principle with huge implications for ministry. It means that how you communicate matters as much as what you’re communicating. The tools and methods you use send their own message, often shaping how your words are received.

For example, projecting worship leaders or speakers onto massive screens can sometimes feel impersonal or even distracting during profound worship moments. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t use these tools—they can be incredibly effective—but it’s important to do so intentionally. Thoughtful use of screens, lighting, and other elements should enhance worship rather than detract from it.

Do This Instead: 

Pay attention to your visuals, tone, and delivery. Align your message with your method to ensure nothing detracts from the gospel. Practice smooth transitions, curate intentional visuals, and use tools like screens and lighting to enhance the worship experience while keeping the focus on God.

7. Forgetting the Joy of the Gospel

The Christian life certainly comes with struggles and suffering, but it’s also about joy! Scripture reminds us that “for the joy set before him, he endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). Christians are called to live in and reflect this joy.

However, sometimes, church services can become so solemn that they lose the joy that is central to the Christian life. Joy isn’t just a nice addition to worship—it’s a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). A joy-filled service can remind people of the hope and celebration we have in Christ.

Do This Instead: 

Find ways to incorporate joy into your services. This doesn’t mean every moment needs to be upbeat, but sharing a funny anecdote, celebrating a community milestone, or even choosing a worship song that feels like a celebration can make a big difference. Joy is contagious, and it’s a reflection of the Holy Spirit at work among your congregation.

8. Not Giving Your Leaders a Break

Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a real challenge for many church leaders and volunteers. When leaders are constantly pouring out without opportunities to rest and recharge, it affects their well-being and the energy of the ministry as a whole.

This reality affects both staff and volunteers. While staff members may have access to sabbaticals or structured breaks, volunteers (especially those in top leadership roles) often don’t have the same opportunities for rest and recovery. Over time, this can lead to burnout and diminish their ability to serve effectively.

Do This Instead: 

Create a culture where rest is celebrated and not seen as a weakness. Rotate volunteer roles so no one feels overburdened, and encourage staff and leaders to take sabbaticals or regular time off. Simple acts of appreciation, like a handwritten note or a recognition moment during service, can go a long way in showing your leaders they’re valued.

9. Overemphasizing Trends

Trends can inject fresh energy into your church, but constantly chasing the latest fad risks losing sight of your church’s unique identity. What works for a large church across the country might not resonate with your community—and that’s more than okay! Your church’s strength lies in its individuality, not how well it mirrors the latest movement.

Do This Instead: 

Embrace trends that enhance your church’s mission, but filter them through the lens of your congregation’s needs. For example, if a popular trend involves high-tech production but your church thrives on simplicity and intimacy, focus on what works for you. Stay rooted in your church’s culture and calling, and let trends serve as tools, not distractions.

10. Making It All About Sunday

Sundays matter, but they’re just one component of the life of your church! If all your time and energy go into the Sunday service, you might miss out on chances to disciple your congregation and engage with your community during the week. Plus, it could send the message that Christianity is mostly about showing up to church on Sunday—which is far from the full picture.

Do This Instead: 

Think of Sunday as the launchpad for the rest of the week. Invest in small groups, midweek Bible studies, or community outreach initiatives. Equip your congregation with tools to live out their faith every day, whether through workplace prayer groups, family devotions, or volunteer opportunities. The church isn’t a building, and worship isn’t confined to Sundays. It’s a living, breathing expression of faith that happens daily - in every corner of life.

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Moving Forward with Intentionality

Every church has the opportunity to make its worship experiences more meaningful, intentional, and impactful. By refining how you approach your services, you can better serve your congregation and reflect God’s love in every detail.

If you’re ready to bring fresh energy and focus into 2025, Breeze Church Management Software can help! From simplifying volunteer coordination to keeping your community connected, Breeze takes care of the logistics so you can focus on leading your church!

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