Midweek v Sunday: Andy Saunders
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Andy started by outlining the historical setting for church on a Sunday but how there has recently been some thinking to challenge that: then tensions of family life being so busy and Sunday being a time of family activity not church; that clubs during the week are key; and that spirituality is big – parents want young people to have a spiritual and moral base which they can’t give them themselves. He then touched on how the concept of community has changed in the last 20 years – it isn’t local housing but people we are in contact with on the other side of the world.
Theologically it is a challenge. Biblically we are to meet together but it doesn’t have to be on a Sunday. Are we prepared ot take the time to discuss it and seeks God’s desire?
Interesting thoughts and questions included:
They are all God’s children – how is the church committed to reaching them.
The evangelistic imperative – where are the children who don’t come ot church (for example 88% of young people do some form of after school activity or club), who is doing the evangelism, time and place are important, and the methods must be appropriate.
Similar to Paul in Acts 17:16-34 we must take our time to find a hook to share the gospel with these young people.
Practical possibilities include:
- Schools work (including assemblies, RE lessons, lunch clubs)
- Church visits
- Gift books
- Uniformed organisations
- Christingle and carol services
- Drama and music
- Special interest clubs
- Holiday clubs
- Running activities on INSET days
He encouraged us to remember there has never been a revival that hasn’t started with children.
I drew some links from this session with the messy church session by Lucy Moore I attended earlier in the weekend. I was particularly interested in the possibility of using INSET days to provide something for parents. I am heavily involved in local schools and that is something that would be very interesting to explore further.
Theologically it is a challenge. Biblically we are to meet together but it doesn’t have to be on a Sunday. Are we prepared ot take the time to discuss it and seeks God’s desire?
Interesting thoughts and questions included:
They are all God’s children – how is the church committed to reaching them.
The evangelistic imperative – where are the children who don’t come ot church (for example 88% of young people do some form of after school activity or club), who is doing the evangelism, time and place are important, and the methods must be appropriate.
Similar to Paul in Acts 17:16-34 we must take our time to find a hook to share the gospel with these young people.
Practical possibilities include:
- Schools work (including assemblies, RE lessons, lunch clubs)
- Church visits
- Gift books
- Uniformed organisations
- Christingle and carol services
- Drama and music
- Special interest clubs
- Holiday clubs
- Running activities on INSET days
He encouraged us to remember there has never been a revival that hasn’t started with children.
I drew some links from this session with the messy church session by Lucy Moore I attended earlier in the weekend. I was particularly interested in the possibility of using INSET days to provide something for parents. I am heavily involved in local schools and that is something that would be very interesting to explore further.
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