In summer, more clergy use picnic tables as pulpits

In recent years, however, religious leaders have found their own summer playtime is opening some long-closed doors in ways that normal observances seldom do. And those bridge-building experiences aren't necessarily the by-products of official events, either.

For Orthodox Rabbi Nachum Shifren and evangelical pastor the Rev. Chip Thompson, the best place to plant faith in summer might be neither synagogue nor church. Both aim to inspire instead at the beach, where their skills on the surfboard earn them a hearing.

"Since they're outside and having a good time, they're more malleable and open to the message," says Mr. Shifren, who lives in Los Angeles and talks of faith often with secular Jews. "They say, 'This guy is an Orthodox Jew and he's a really good surfer. I could do that, too.' They gain a new respect for their heritage and are sometimes willing to pursue it."

As a group, Christian Surfers has grown from 450 to about 1,400 members over the past two years. Mr. Thompson says he understands why so many are coming to faith before going to church. After all, he himself came to believe through a surfing pastor friend, who stood by him in a wetsuit as he made his first commitment on a beach. Now, Thompson performs funerals for deceased surfers by gathering the wave-riding community in a circle at sea, reading Psalm 23, and proclaiming the gospel.

"It's much more meaningful to them [than a church service would be] because it's on their own turf," says Thompson. "I find people are more than willing to talk at the beach about matters of faith."

In cities, too, summer has become prime time for reaching spiritual seekers.

In Chicago, July and August has become high season for "Theology on Tap," a forum where young adults can discuss Catholic life casually - whether in a church or a pub - over beverages. By filling a void in summer social life, the church this year got more than 2,000 young adults talking in almost 50 Chicago venues about issues from marriage to celibacy to sexual abuse.

Timing in the summer is everything, says the Rev. John Cusick, who founded "Theology on Tap" 20 years ago. "In May and June, everybody wants out. By July and August, people are looking for things to do. We're giving them an opportunity to connect with peers in a very nonthreatening, fun environment."

Today, church life isn't confined inside a building's four walls, says the Rev. John Hurley, director of evangelization for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He sees spirituality discussed with growing openness in places such as workplace conference rooms where employees meet at lunch for prayer and Bible study.

"I think there's a reawakening of taking the church to the marketplace," Mr. Hurley says. "In the summertime especially, people's spirits are lifted, and if the church doesn't capitalize on that, then it's missing a great opportunity."

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