Atlanta Megachurch Downsizes Easter Service

Easter in this economy will be decidedly less extravagant for New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, as its annual service is leaving the Georgia Dome for the first time in more than 15 years.

Since 1993, the megachurch -- which boasts a 25,000-member congregation that is largely black and mostly middle-class -- has held its annual Easter service at the Dome, attracting crowds of up to 40,000 that have included athletes, entertainers, politicians and entrepreneurs.

Sitting governors have been among those in the pews, and candidates for office have also stopped by to worship and campaign. Singers Jennifer Hudson and Patti LaBelle and rapper T.I. have made appearances. One year, the church's motorcycle ministry roared out of the stadium tunnels on choppers as Jesus and his disciples for a modern-day twist on the story.

The message commemorating Christ's resurrection is being tailored to the recession. Sunday's service will not be the $200,000 production worshippers have come to expect, since revenues are down and many members' pockets are hurting. Instead, Bishop Eddie Long will hold three services in his 10,000-seat sanctuary in suburban Atlanta, where he will deliver the message "Vision in Hard Times." The services will be held at 5:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. This year's special musical guest is Nuttin But Stringz.

Long, who often delivers his message draped in tailored suits and diamonds, said this year required a new approach.

"In this time of recession, we had to look at some different ways of doing things," Long said. "The unemployment situation, the mortgage situation has definitely affected our members. This money could be better utilized to bless more people, feed more people."

Long said church revenues are off by about 20 percent from last year, a significant drop that has forced his ministry to make changes like cutting back on its televised services and focusing more on online streaming to reach more viewers -- and potential donors. Impromptu job fairs have broken out on Sunday morning to connect those able to hire with members looking for work.

"This recession has hit across the board very, very hard," Long said. "But I see a whole lot of hope out there. The message is to keep your head up, keep your faith and stay strong. We are our brother's keeper."

What won't be sacrificed, Long said, is the outreach that is traditionally part of Easter week and is needed now more than ever. Among the events being held are a blood drive, health screenings, a clothing drive, haircuts, dinner for the needy and job assistance. The church is planning to bus in hundreds of homeless people from Atlanta to participate.

"It's still a major outreach," Long said. "None of that has been cut back at all. If anything, it's been stepped up."

Telain Ware, who has been a member at New Birth since 2001 and has volunteered for past Easter week activities, said while she's disappointed this year's service won't be downtown, she realizes the value of cutting back.

"That money needs to be redirected," Ware said. "So many people are out of work and in need ... We have to do this in order to provide the service that the church ultimately is supposed to."