Late-Nondenominational Church Adopts Ash Wednesday Tradition for Lent Observance

The article discusses a nondenominational evangelical church in Hollywood that has recently adopted the centuries-old Christian tradition of Ash Wednesday to mark the beginning of Lent. This decision reflects a growing interest in liturgical practices within the congregation, which has been meeting in a high school for 20 years. The church’s pastor, who shares the story, admits that he, too, was initially skeptical of such traditions, having grown up in a nondenominational context that emphasized personal faith over formal liturgy.

For many American evangelicals, the liturgical calendar, including Ash Wednesday, is not a common practice. A 2025 Lifeway study found that only one-quarter of Americans observe Lent, with little change over the past decade. Catholics are most likely to participate, while some Protestant denominations, such as Anglicans, Episcopalians, Lutherans, and certain Methodists, also observe the tradition. Evangelicals, in contrast, are often described as being “least aware” of liturgical practices compared to other Christian traditions.

The pastor acknowledges that his own understanding of Ash Wednesday was limited until his 20s. Many of his friends and peers expressed indifference or opposition to the practice, arguing that it is not biblically mandated, not a sacrament, and may appear performative. However, his perspective has shifted, recognizing the significance of Ash Wednesday as a moment of repentance and lament. The ashes placed on congregants’ foreheads serve as a visual reminder of human sinfulness and the need for God’s grace.

The article references biblical examples of lament and mourning, such as Tamar’s grief over her brother’s betrayal (2 Samuel 13:19) and Mordecai’s sorrow for the impending destruction of his people (Esther 4:1). These stories illustrate the importance of acknowledging sin and its consequences, a theme that resonates with the Lenten season. The practice of Ash Wednesday, the article suggests, helps individuals take their suffering seriously and approach God with humility and repentance.

The decision to observe Ash Wednesday reflects a broader movement within some nondenominational and megachurch congregations to engage with liturgical traditions. While not universally adopted, this practice highlights a growing interest in exploring the spiritual and communal dimensions of the Christian faith, even within contexts that have historically emphasized personal piety over formal worship.

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