Hymns and Heartfelt Worship: How Duval Station Baptist Church Innovated Over 17 Years

Over the past 17 years, Pastor Jimmy Flanagan and his wife Belinda, who serves as the worship leader, have led Duval Station Baptist Church through a significant transformation in their worship experience. This transformation wasn’t a sudden overhaul but rather an intentional, incremental innovation that has gradually reshaped how the congregation worships together. Their journey offers valuable insights for churches considering their own paths of innovation.

The Starting Point: A Traditional Worship Model

When the Flanagans arrived at Duval Station Baptist Church, the worship services followed a traditional model, characterized by hymns and occasional Southern gospel specials. This approach was familiar and comforting to many in the congregation, but it became clear that it wasn’t resonating with everyone, particularly younger members and visitors. The challenge was how to introduce change in a way that honored the past while meeting the needs of the present.

Reflecting on those early days, Jimmy shared, “We started noticing that some of our middle-aged and younger members, especially those in college and career stages, were leaving for churches that were worshiping God with the music they were hearing on the radio. We knew something needed to change, but we wanted to do it in a way that still respected our church’s traditions.”

The Need for Change: Listening to the Community

As the Flanagans began to observe the dynamics of their community, they noticed a disconnect between the music played in worship and the music people were listening to in their daily lives. They realized that to engage their congregation fully, especially younger families and individuals, the worship experience needed to reflect the broader cultural context.

Belinda emphasized the importance of this connection: “Music is such a part of everybody’s everyday life. People who won’t open their Bible will listen to music every day. A song can pierce them in a way that opens their heart to God. We needed to ensure that our worship reflected the reality of what our people were living.”

This realization led to the introduction of new worship songs, slowly integrated into services alongside traditional hymns. The goal was not to abandon the old but to create a worship experience that was inclusive and reflective of the congregation’s diverse musical tastes.

The Process: Incremental Steps Toward Innovation

The process of innovation at Duval Station was marked by intentionality and sensitivity. Belinda, who had initially filled in as the choir director, began to incorporate new music into the choir’s repertoire. She didn’t just add new songs for the sake of change; she sought songs that connected with the congregation’s heart and soul. The choir evolved into a “praise choir,” and a small praise team was formed to lead the congregation in these newer styles of worship. 

Belinda shared how she approached this change: “I wasn’t looking to audition people based on how they sang. I was looking at their hearts and how they worshiped the Lord. We introduced new music in a very authentic way, not just trying to adapt new songs to fit a traditional mold, but allowing them to be what they were intended to be.”

Challenges and Adaptations

One of the significant challenges faced was the potential resistance from the congregation. Change can be uncomfortable, and there were concerns about losing long-held traditions. However, Jimmy and Belinda addressed these concerns with care, emphasizing that the goal was not to discard the old but to blend it with the new in a way that glorified God and spoke to the hearts of the people.

“We didn’t want to just throw out the old,” Jimmy explained. “We wanted to respond to who our church was and what our community needed. Over time, our people saw that the changes were about drawing them closer to God, not about losing the traditions they loved.”

The church also faced practical challenges, such as not always having a full band available. Instead of letting this limit their worship, they adapted by focusing on the strengths they had, such as the choir and sound system, ensuring that the worship experience was rich and engaging, even without a full band.

The Result: A Culture of Authentic Worship

Today, Duval Station Baptist Church is a place where worship feels both familiar and fresh. The incremental changes have resulted in a worship environment where people of all ages feel free to express their worship authentically. The congregation no longer sees worship as a rigid program but as a dynamic process of coming before God.

Belinda highlighted the transformation: “We’ve gone from a church where people stood and sang to one where they worship freely. Now, there’s a freedom in our services that allows people to respond to God in the moment, whether that means raising their hands, coming to the altar during worship, or just letting go and truly worshiping.”

Jimmy added, “What I’ve seen is spiritual growth. People are more engaged—they’re taking notes during sermons, they’re involved in the worship, and sometimes, God moves so powerfully that we don’t even get to the sermon because the altar is already full.” 

Questions for Churches Considering Incremental Innovation

• Assessing the Need: What aspects of your church’s worship or programs resonate with your congregation, and where might there be a disconnect? How can you listen to your community to identify areas needing innovation?

• Balancing Tradition and Innovation: How can you introduce new elements to your church’s worship or programs while honoring the traditions that your congregation holds dear?

• Implementing Change: What small, incremental changes could you start making today that would lead to a more engaging and relevant experience for your church members? How can you do this in a way that brings people along on the journey?

• Flexibility and Openness: How can you cultivate a culture of flexibility in your church, where plans can change as the Holy Spirit leads? Are there areas where you might be putting God in a box with rigid expectations or routines?

• Building a Team: What qualities do you value in those who lead worship or other ministries in your church? How can you focus on character and heart for God over mere competency?

• Engaging the Congregation: How can you communicate the vision for incremental innovation to your congregation? What steps can you take to ensure they feel included and valued in this journey?

The story of Duval Station Baptist Church is a testament to the power of incremental innovation. By taking small, intentional steps, Jimmy and Belinda Flanagan have helped their church move from a traditional, programmatic approach to a more authentic, process-oriented worship experience. Their journey offers a roadmap for other churches seeking to navigate the delicate balance of tradition and innovation in their own contexts.

As Jimmy so aptly put it, “Lord, what do you want to do? Where do you want to go? What do you want to say? Do I even need to know? Lord, just lead the way.” This openness to God’s leading has been the key to their success, and it can be for your church as well.