WESTMINSTER, Colo. — On the first and third Sunday nights of each month, the Northwest Church of Christ assembles at the church building to sing, pray and hear a sermon.

On the second and fourth Sunday nights, members gather in each other’s homes for small-group Bible studies and devotionals.

Fifth Sunday nights are reserved for service projects.

The hybrid approach reflects the suburban Denver church’s effort to serve an intergenerational membership that runs the gamut from 20-something professionals to World War II veterans.

“It’s always been a very high priority for this eldership to not sacrifice one generation for the preferences of another,” said Ron Hanegan, one of the church’s five elders.

While one generation might favor a traditional service every Sunday night, a different generation might prefer home Bible studies each week, Northwest’s elders said.

The elders told The Christian Chronicle they strive to care for the needs of the entire congregation — and to make any change in an incremental way.

“We are cognizant that ‘shock and awe’ is not a New Testament concept,” elder John Rakestraw said. “We do try to do things gently and respectfully. A lot of it is, we are all somewhere in our walk with Christ, so let’s accept where we’re at today and grow together, because we all can’t see the world the same way.”

The Northwest church was formed with the 1982 merger of the Broomfield and 81st Avenue congregations.
The church shares its facilities with Hyland Christian School, a K-12 academy overseen by an independent board.

About 35 Spanish-speaking Christians worship each Sunday in the church’s gymnasium.

“We are one congregation in two languages,” elder Jim Bailey said.