Yes, the schedule is changing . . . again
Each semester I have been here something about our Sunday evening programing has been different from the semester before. We’ve changed the name, changed the order, changed the times. We’ve probably implemented more changes to Sunday evenings in this time span than this church did in its first forty years of existence.
Being a part of the church today requires patience. And the patience you’ve demonstrated through these changes has not gone unnoticed. Thank you.
Less than ten years ago, one of my seminary professors said that you don’t find a lot of books on ecclesiology– studies into the nature and purpose of the church. I was a little surprised by that and said, “I think that’s changing.” Now, granted, when I first saw one, I thought minivans would never last, so I am no prophet. However, on this matter, I was on target. What it means to be the church and what the church is called to do are questions that are generating a lot of discussion.
It is beyond the purpose of this post to get into all that. My point is simply to say that the fact that we’re changing and evaluating and changing again how we do things hardly makes us unique. It just happens that a lot of the issues facing churches everywhere have implications for us in terms of Sunday evenings. In an earlier draft of this post, I tried listing some of the specific issues involved in this discussion and it just became too long and complicated. What follows simply offers a summary of the priorities that led to the revision and, following that, a description of the changes.
1. Sabbath. The schedule implemented this fall sought to reflect a commitment to developing small groups– as described in the Weather Report. We are very pleased by the level of involvement in small groups. Certainly the schedule played some role in that, as it allowed parents to send their children to Kidz Club or Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs while their group met. But it was a smaller role than we’d anticipated. What’s more it demanded a lot of leaders and, quite frankly, the kids– especially the younger ones. (My kids loved Kidz Club– loved it– but were pooped on Monday.) The idea of an exhausting Sabbath runs contrary to the whole purpose of the thing.
2. Church-wide Fellowship. Small groups are providing opportunities to develop closer relationships. However there is also something about fellowship with the whole community. Though such events can be a little chaotic (or is that just my kids?), there is something reassuring about having different generations of our church family coming together, sharing conversation and meal. This was lost in our new schedule, and we hope to create a more prominent place for it again.
3. Worship. Attendance was about half what it was last year at Mosaic services. Council feels this has more to do with the schedule than people’s desire to worship together outside of morning services. It was decided we need a schedule that gives additional services some room to breathe. Trying to squeeze one in before five o’clock just did not work for most.
With this in mind, here is what you can expect in the new year.
1. MOSAIC NIGHTS (EVENING WORSHIP & MEAL). While the specific dates for meals and services will be posted later, the basic idea is that we will have a second worship service and a meal about once a month. Unless there are already special services in that month (for example, Ash Wednesday in February), these will occur on the last Sunday of the month. Meals will likely be potluck, with different small groups taking turns with set-up and clean-up.
2. YOUTH GROUP. By and large, this remains as it is. High school on Wednesdays, middle school on Sunday evenings. There will, however, not be a separate program for middle school on evenings when there is worship and dinner.
3. BOYS & GIRLS CLUB. Boys and Girls Club will meet every other Sunday. The meeting time will be the same as with the middle school youth– 5:30 to 7pm.
4. KIDZ CLUB. For the reasons stated above, we will no longer be hosting Kidz Club. However, in order to encourage families needing childcare to attend small group, there will be some money available from the church for that purpose. More details to come.
Thanks. Merry Christmas.