ISLE OF PALMS — Churches often see a decline in attendance during the summer since families tend to go on vacation, taking advantage of the warmer weather and schools being closed.
But a new Isle of Palms-based church saw its Sunday morning attendance grow dramatically this summer. That’s because the congregation has been meeting at a place where many people would prefer to be during the hot months: the beach.
DeepWater Church, a congregation that formed in 2018, began hosting regular morning services at the Isle of Palms beach — the intersection of 25th Avenue and Palm Boulevard — on Easter. Since then, the church has more than doubled its attendance, from about 70 at the start of the year to now around 150 attendees.
Pastor Paul Coleman attributes part of the growth to the fact people are attracted to the nontraditional worship setting.
“I think God is at work,” Coleman said. “We felt like we could get the good news to more people outside on the beach, especially on Isle of Palms where people … are living here because they want to live near water.”
Other churches are doing this, too. Coleman has also connected with a Methodist church in Florida that hosts 7:30 a.m. services on a seashore. The closest congregation to the Lowcountry that’s regularly engaged in beach worship services is an Anglican group on Fripp Island. Coleman went once to scout out the program. Seeing the event gave Coleman confidence that the model could be duplicated in the Charleston area.
“It really built our faith,” Coleman said.
The Rev. Paul Coleman, pastor of DeepWater Church, delivers a sermon to the congregation as surfers take to the water and beachgoers walk on Isle of Palms on Sunday, August 28, 2022. Henry Taylor/Staff
The Isle of Palms pastor founded DeepWater with the support of The Church at LifePark, where Coleman had formerly served as associate pastor. DeepWater, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and also a nonprofit, was founded with the idea of reaching those on Isle of Palms and the surrounding coastal communities.
The location has its benefits. Though a new and small congregation, DeepWater is able to afford Coleman at a full-time salary, given the wealth of the area’s residents. While not completely rare, pastors at startup churches are frequently bivocational and often serve in a part-time capacity since their new congregations can’t yet financially support a full-time minister.
“We’re in an affluent area, so the capability of giving is high,” Coleman said.
Like many congregations, COVID-19 helped force DeepWater to think outside the box. DeepWater had been meeting inside St. Mark’s Lutheran on Isle of Palms. But during the pandemic, the congregation moved services outside beneath the oak trees.
DeepWater began having occasional beach services but never thought of the practice as a sustainable model. Last fall, the church began to consider making a drastic change in order to attract more people. Having worship services at the seashore could be a neat and creative way to engage new members, Coleman thought. After much prayer and fasting, the congregation relocated its services to the Isle of Palms beach.
Not everyone was on board with the decision. A small number of parishioners left the church, feeling the regular outdoor services was a “bridge too far,” Coleman said.
“You got to count the cost when you make a change in church,” Coleman said. “We feel like this is what’s best for the future of the church.”
Others were attracted by the nontraditional setting.
Brianna Robinson leans back listening to a sermon with her daughter Capri Robinson, 1, lounging in her lap on Isle of Palms on Sunday, August 28, 2022. Henry Taylor/Staff
Doug McNairy has been attending DeepWater’s services for the past three months. He likes the idea of worshipping outside, where the sounds of crashing waves and sight of a blue sky help to enhance one’s spiritual encounter with God, he said.
McNairy also acknowledged that modern-day followers of Jesus aren’t the first to engage in theological reflections at the water. The New Testament is filled with stories of Jesus teaching at the seashore.
“I felt like this is a throwback to when Jesus used to preach on the seaside,” McNairy said.
Besides the beach setting, DeepWater’s services are pretty much what one would expect from a church service. Congregants worship through religious songs and prayers. Coleman preaches a sermon. While the adults are tuned into the worship service, children gather under a tent and have snacks and learn Bible stories.
But obviously, some things are different. Members at DeepWater bring their own chairs. Worship leaders also have to bring sound equipment and break it down when service concludes.
A paddle boarder and beachgoers brave the waves crashing on the shore in the background of a church service at DeepWater Church on Isle of Palms on Sunday, August 28, 2022. Henry Taylor/Staff
Then there are the distractions. Some weeks ago during service, a waterspout formed off the coast. Another Sunday, a woman walked by the religious gathering with three Labrador puppies.
“Try to focus people on the sermon when the cutest thing you’ve ever seen is walking by,” Coleman said.
Other logistics include the fact that the church had to seek a sound permit from the IOP Police Department. However, any faith group can gather at seaside, he said.
“Any religious group can meet on the beach because it’s public place,” Coleman said.
The natural elements do pose a challenge. A temporary location for Sunday worship has to be found when rain is in the forecast. Other than that, the services have proven to be an ideal ministry for reaching the community, he said.
Sometimes the worship events attract tourists who, during their morning strolls along the seaside, unexpectedly encounter dozens of people having church.
DeepWater will have Sunday services at the beach until Sept. 25. Church begins at 9:15 a.m. and attendees need to bring their own chair.
After September, DeepWater will return indoors — at least until it warms up again.
