DROP SUNDAY SCHOOL IN THE SUMMER
I am proposing we completely do away with our 9-9:45 Sunday School classes during the month of July. Then, in August, we start back with ALL CLASSES meeting in the basement for an informal discussion led by a different person each week, and also have coffee and donuts and such. Then in September we would go back to our regular classes.
Reasons:
- We're only running 30-some for Sunday School right now, and it's getting worse all the time.
- Our teachers are BURNED OUT. Not all, but some. I know my wife has had to teach a class every Sunday she's been here since the first day we arrived almost 8 years ago. It gets old after awhile. They need recharged; they need a rest; some may even need replaced. But we have a severe shortage of teachers - or anyone willing to take any kind of leadership role for that matter.
- If our teachers were recharged and rested, perhaps they would be that much better when they came back. We struggle with the concept of our teachers being "shepherds" of the people in their classes. Most think it's just about preparing a lesson and give little thought to other areas of spiritual growth or opportunities that exist outside of class.
- I am hoping that this might also wake a few people up to the fact that there actually is a problem. We've talked about it for a long time, and everybody just kind of shrugs their shoulders.
- It will give people a month to not feel pressured into coming. I always wonder whether people who just attend the worship service but not Sunday School feel a little like "outsiders."
- It might be easier for new people to break into groups when we come back. It will kinda be like everybody is starting over.
- I actually think we should consider taking a month off every summer. I don't think it means we're flushing everything down the toilet. Schools take off in the summer.
CHANGE OUR START TIME
I think this would also be a good time to move back our worship time from 10 am to 10:30 am. I think it would be better to go even later, but that's about as late as we could probably get away with at this time (we would end at 11:35 instead of 11:05).
Reasons:
- Why not?
- One of the biggest complaints I hear about church (from churched & unchurched) is "It starts too early on my only day to sleep in).
- Now that Indiana is doing Daylight Saving Time, it's like we're starting at 9 in the summer according to the temp and sun. Moving back will still be earlier than it used to be.
- If we want to worship outside this summer, we need all the extra sun and warmth we can get (although I just don't see this happening a lot at this point).
- In the winter it will allow another half hour to get the roads cleared of snow and ice.
- It should make it easier for older people who don't like to drive in bad weather.
- It should make it easier for young people who have small children.
- Um... why not?
12 comments:
My American Civ prof was talking about how his church doesn't have Sunday School in the summer so that people won't feel as guilty about going on vacations or doing other things with their families, which I guess kind of makes sense.
I like the both of the ideas and if nothing else they will at least change things up a bit : )
Our Sunday School has always taken the summers off. That doesn't make it right, but it can and is being done elsewhere. We pretty much follow the school calendar. In the fall we start back with a big "Rally Sunday" with some fun and games to welcome everyone back or newcomers coming for the 1st time.
Big Sis
Hey Isaac,
Good to hear from you, and thanks for the input. I also agree that sometimes just changing things up helps too.
Hi Deb,
I thought your church did that. Thanks for the reminder.
And... you do realize, of course, that you are not really my "big" sis, but my "older" sis. :)
Personally, I would prefer services earlier in the summer and later in the winter.
Somehow "old sis" just doesn't have the same ring to it!
:)
I'm not sure who said they would prefer services earlier in the summer and later in the winter. I appreciate your input, and even more so because it reminds me of a key point. And I'm not picking on anyone in particular, because I don't even know who made the comment. But...
Something to keep in mind is that the whole idea behind changing times isn't so much about personal preference, as it is about what will be the biggest help to the most people. It's only natural for all of us to think of ourselves first, but what about the senior citizen who maybe has trouble getting the joints moving in the morning; or the single mother with small children who has to get them up and fed and dressed; or the people who like to stay up late and party on Saturday night? You know that thing about thinking of others first...
I suggested a time change many years ago and was literally told by a board member that it would "ruin his whole Sunday" if we moved the time back. I didn't push it, but left the meeting thinking, "Who is the worship service supposed to be about anyway? And if gathering to worship ruins your day, you should probably just stay home anyway."
Of course I realize all my previous reasons would be to make things 'easier' for someone else... but if it's just a matter of getting out earlier so we can get a better seat at a restaurant, or get to our yard work earlier... I dunno.
And... while I don't mean that I don't care about the people who are currently attending (because I do), I can't see how moving back one half hour can make that much difference. Most if not all people would still be likely to attend. But what about those who ARE NOT currently attending? I think we should be willing to do whatever we can without compromising the Good News to make it accessible. Perhaps it woulnd't make a different, but it's a small price to pay if it would. If it's a price at all.
Anywayyyy... sorry if this seemed like a rant. It really isn't, but I just happened to think of this. So thanks, anonymous, for reminding me. :)
You guys have Sunday school during the summer? I'd say chuck it.
I also say party in the pavilion all summer.
I grew up without any Sunday School for adults - kids went to Sunday School while adults went to church and all the focus was on that worship, teaching experince in the sanctuary. So I think a later start time with everyone looking forward to an hour of real focus would be a great change at least for awhile. And it would sort of even out the playing field with everyone coming at the same time. Cause there is that "Oh, we've all been here for an hour already" sort of feeling when you just come for church. I'm not catching your vision for the August thing of everyone in the basement before church but as you so succintly said "Why not?" And I'm sure it would be great for teachers to have a much deserved break. I'm with mr about the partying in the pavilion. We need to rock that place this summer.
Joan,
Thanks for your input. As far as the August thing with everybody in the basement my thinking is: It gives the teachers another month off, but it also allows people who want that extra 'contact' to have it. I see Sunday School as nothing other than small groups. And even the classes where not much is taught - it gives people a sense of identity; a group of people to be a part of and share with, etc.
I also think the August thing would hopefully give people who aren't currently a part of a class a chance to come and maybe break into the scene. Sort of a transitional group. And it would be a kind of 'buffer' between nothing and going back to the old - but I'm hoping it may help change what the old was, so it's something new even if it is the same group.
Also, it's possible we might do some things during that time like offer a spiritual gifts test or something. Or maybe someone who isn't a teacher would like to share something just for a one-time thing. The possibilities are limitless.
It certainly wouldn't be anything mandatory for those who don't want to attend. But there are people who will miss the Sunday School time. There are some people who actually live for Sundays because it's basically the only contact they have with other like-minded people, or maybe even other people period. I know that's hard to believe, and it doesn't seem like we have too many at Fairview who feel that way about church... but I have to believe there is someone out there who actually likes to get together on Sunday morning.
My former church made exactly the same change you suggest about canceling Sunday School for a month in the summer - and it was one of the smartest things they ever did. It made it so much less stressed on everyone.
Actually they canceled the month of August so that SS could start back up when school did in the fall. And during June and July they had an all-church Intergenerational Sunday School which they did in a team-competition game show format. It was actually a lot of fun.
Anyhow, if it helps, I say go for it. At the very least it's worth doing just to remind your folks that church programs are not sacrosanct and that flexibility and a willingness to change are good qualities. Consider it practice for whenever you have to lead them through truly significant changes.
Mike,
Thanks for the input. Those are some of the very things I'm hoping for. Glad to hear it works elsewhere.
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