By Paul A. Anthony, Editor in Chief

Chapel would move away from the recent trend of worship-only services under a proposed recommendation released Tuesday.

The proposal, one of three created by the formula and function subcommittee of the Chapel Task Force, would eliminate gender Chapels and allow student groups to perform and lead in Moody Coliseum once a week.

“The question is, ‘What’s the purpose of Chapel, and what do we want to happen there?’ said Dr. Jeanene Reese, chair of the subcommittee.

Reese said Chapel has been and will continue to be worship-focused, but that bringing together the ACU community is also important.

“We could probably be doing better at that in Chapel than we’ve been doing,” Reese said.

The second option is the current Chapel format with a fourth, university mission-based breakout Chapel.

The third involves the elimination of all break-out and small-group Chapels, returning Chapel to Moody five days a week and allowing student groups to perform and present.

“It think it’s significant,” said Dr. Charlie Marler, chair of the task force, referring to the two new options’ shift in direction.

He said members of the task force who work in the Campus Life Office, which oversees the current format, were in agreement with the proposed options.

Marler said he encourages all those with reactions to e-mail him at marlerc@acu.edu. Previous releases have been posted on myACU.

The task force will take student opinion and make a final recommendation on the future of Chapel to President Royce Money. A timeline will be decided next week, Reese said.