We're about to make what I think is our most significant change to date (at least since I've been at Waite Park). Now the reality is it's not really that big of a change. We're not changing our theology or moving to Texas or anything, but we're changing around our Sunday morning schedule on September 4th.
This will be the new schedule:
Coffee time 9:00 am
Prayer 9:15 am
Worship Service 10:00 am
Adult Groups and Sunday School (for kids) 11:20 am
The adult groups (or whatever we're going to call them) initially will be three groups, generally divided into young adult, middle adult, and older adult. I guess you can define yourself however you'd like. From time to time, we'll also do "mixer" Sunday where we will randomly divide the groups to get a cross-generational perspective.
As far as I know, Waite Park has kept the same Sunday Schedule for many years. It's been your standard schedule of Sunday School and then worship service. That schedule has served many churches, including Waite Park, very well over the years. But as with anything times change and we have to find new ways to communicate the faith.
The changes we are making to Sunday morning are consistent with two guiding principles of ministry. The first is that more does not always mean better. Oftentimes, we think that the more stuff we're putting in our brain, the more spiritual we are. So we get into the habit of participating in as many church activities and Bible studies as we can. Subliminally, we equate spiritual growth with knowledge. The problem is that the Bible doesn't equate spiritual growth solely with knowledge. Gaining knowledge is only a part of life transformation.
Although we'll probably call it something different, we're not getting rid of Sunday School per se, but it will look different after September 4th. Basically, our adult discipleship time on Sunday will be a discussion based on the sermon that will move toward application. In order to reflect the fact that we don't see discipleship as knowledge alone, we'll probably call it something like "connection groups" (trying to help people connect with the sermon material and the community of faith) or application groups (because the point is to engage the principles in the sermon and figure out how to apply what we learn in community).
Because the group time will be sermon based, we had to switch the order of Sunday morning. It wouldn't make much sense to preach a sermon, then have people wait until the next Sunday to discuss it. By that time, most people have already forgotten the sermon entirely (another reason for the change, by the way). It was only appropriate to switch the order of our worship service and groups so when we leave worship service, we can immediately engage with the material as it's fresh on our minds. Then, as groups we can discuss how we will go on to apply it over the next week.
What we hope is that the change will help us in a number of different ways.
First, we hope to make the sermon "stick." Let's face it, no matter how good the speaker is, most people forget completely about the sermon by Sunday night. So as a pastor, it makes me think, why should I spend all that time during the week preparing a well-thought-out message when it's not going to do many people any good? If it's in one ear and out the other, we might as well find something more productive or entertaining to do with our time--like sing more songs!
Second, we think this new schedule will help people to sharpen the focus of their spiritual growth. When you focus on three or four or five things you're really focused on nothing. Your thoughts are scattered and all the life-changing principles can't work their way into your life because life-change takes time. As we lessen the sheer amount of different things we're learning in a given week, it gives us a change to focus on the Word working itself deep into our heart as we meditate on it and practice it throughout the week.
Third, we think it's great opportunity to move in-sync as a church. Because of the society we live in, we have a habit of learning and applying Scripture only as individuals. But while Scripture does apply to individuals, it's not meant to be read and applied merely individually. It's intended to be read and applied in community. As the body of Christ, we move together. As we learn together, we learn to move in the same direction.
The fourth thing we hope to accomplish is actually an after-thought. As I was discussing the concept with a new couple to our church, they really liked the idea and brought up something I really hadn't thought of. It's this simple principle: It's easier to get people to stay for something than to come early. That's so true. As a result, we think this schedule, just by the timing itself, will be better suited for our newer people to join in our discipleship ministries.
I always say we should have high expectations for our members. In other words, we expect that those who are a regular part of our church body, will put themselves in a position where they can grow and mature spiritually. So, by making this time more accessible to new people, we believe it will also get more people involved.
While we've put a lot of thought into this change, I'm sure there will be some snafus and things we didn't think about. So, if you're a regular at Waite Park, please be patient and give the new schedule a chance. I think it'll be a great thing for our church.
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