Are we doing all right? I mean is the way we do Wednesday nights valuable? The question could imply I'm for ridding us of the mid-week repetition. Such isn't my intent. I'm simply asking are we believing our approach to Wednesday nights is valuable or is there need to adjust.
Let's say we cancel Wednesday nights. We say we are too busy and these nights simply press an already smothering schedule. So, how do you feel about it? I don't like it. Why? I love being with my church family. It's a mid-week reunion to me. Each gathering is like I won some sort of shopping spree where I can visit as many as I can within a certain time limit. Tonight, as hurried as I visited, I still let some whom I love to be near get away before I could get in my gab time with them.
Yet, there seems to be a problem. Gradually, fewer of my family (church family) shows up. For me, the issue isn't what's going on that's valuable. It's the fact we get to see each other. I don't necessarily need to sing or pray or study. Fine if we do. Okay with me if we don't. I just want to be connected. I want to relate to the people. Sometimes I can't wait for us to dismiss so I can engage in the good stuff. Other times, I feed from the thoughts and songs shared. Does anyone else go through these hoops?
The fact is fewer seem to be assembling on these nights. I'm for evaluation and adjustment if such would be beneficial. I'm not proposing to start a movement, understand. The reason for this discussion is you may have experienced a Wednesday night breakthrough you would share. Or, you may have a thought as to why you think what we are doing is right on track.
What would be your take?
9 comments:
We've been struggling with Wednesday nights for a couple of years now. Many young families struggle with the schedule. The parents get off at 6:00 pm and the kids have to be in bed by 8:00 pm. Add a 15-30 minute commute to church and mid-week becomes impractical. Plus, many of the unchurched families we've drawn on Sundays aren't drawn to mid-week. However, those that come enjoy it and they want to keep it.
We've been experimenting with a little of everything. One idea kind of fits what you're talking about. We decided that mid-week was really about "reconnection." So last summer we canceled traditional classes and planned events for the entire family. The idea was "Wednesday nights are all about reconnection with our church family." So we planned big family events...a concert, games at the park, prayer walk, service night, movie night, swim party at the YMCA, etc. It worked well for the summer and involved several new families. Some who later plugged into small groups. But its been difficult to maintain much momentum during the school year. Would love to hear what others are doing.
I'm with you: the best part of Wednesday nights are being with people I love so dearly. Most of the time, whatever is going on is totally beneficial (like worshipping God is ever NOT!) but the biggest thrill is being together.
Love you today!!!
What is the purpose?
What would be a good alternative activity?
What would accomplish the mission of Jesus quicker?
What is the tradition we could start that would make unity with all followers of Jesus a reality?
My answers.
What is the purpose?
Current.
-Fulfilling tradition.
-Giving developing teachers and worship leaders a practice opportunity.
-Connecting.
-Encouraging the older people and the younger people who need a place to hang.
What would be a good alternative activity?
-Running the food bank on Wednesday evening where 80 families are fed on Thursday evening at out church and do something instead of just pray.
-Adults could be taught Jesus.
-Kids could be taught Jesus.
-Food could be offered at the end of teaching for those who wanted to be taught of Jesus.
-Teens could hang before, work during, hang afterward.
Go to the closest assembly of someone who claims to follow Jesus.
-Pray for them.
-Pray with them.
-Lift up Jesus in areas where there are some things we agree about.
Larry Wishard
Wednesday nights are the highlight of my week. It's the part of my week I get to spend with the people I cherish the most in life. The hugs that I sustain on Wednesday's last me the rest of the week as well as the prayers and the fellowship.
If we didn't have it on Wednesday's, I can see myself doing 1 of 2 things. 1: I would visit other churches that do hold Wednesday night assemblies. or
2: I would do nothing at all and stay at home.
I think #1 is a healthier choice.
I am sad when we have a small crowd as there are strength in numbers.
I love to look into the eyes of our members and watch as they worship, pray, cry, or laugh with the rest of us.
One thing I enjoy is that we have never made Wednesday's about the "numbers". It's never mattered if 10 or 100 people show up. We still made a concentrated effort to focus on Him and what He is doing in our lives.
I would like to see us draw closer. Many times, we sit with our same friends, or family, or small group and we don't get a chance to know the others in the same room. I would love to see us use this time to draw closer together as a family by getting to know one another. As humans, we don't find that easy, and need a little push to get it going. What if we put as big of emphasis on Wednesday nights as we do Sunday mornings? We do that with other events going on, why wouldn't we want to do that for the middle of our week?
Needless to say...I would be heartbroken if we didn't get together on Wednesday's. I struggle greatly in the summertime when we do meet a few times. I can't imagine that I am the only one.
Love you!
Wednesdays hummm.....I've been pondering the same thoughts. I ask myself if God is happy with our efforts or could they be improved? Sometimes I leave our Wed. "class" thinking I've waisted my time, and should have been out visiting the hospital, or a shut in or sharing a meal with someone in my home. I do enjoy the fellowship and visiting part, but think sometimes us Christians need to be Doctors to the world and start our "practice". Sometimes I think we are all still in school, learning, but not many have set up their "practice". You know it would be odd for a Doctor to spend all their time in training and and never open up a practice. I sure need to work on my "practice" so I can touch the world with Gods message......The world, jobs, church, family etc. is making many demands for our time, we've got to use it wisely. Our life is but a vapor..... I have had to seperate myself from the church organization some to have time to "practice".
Our Wednesday night men's class has been trying to get out of the rut of class time. One Wednesday night each month is designated "visit night." We divide up into teams and make visits to shut-ins, hospitals, and new contacts. These visits are prearranged with a simple phone call a day or two before the visit. We meet at the building at 7 p.m., have a prayer together, and leave to make our visit. Another Wednesday evening is a designated prayer time. Each person tells about something that is going on with himself, his family or at work and then we spend time praying about these concerns. This has become a confessional time as well as a time to talk about the challenges of work and home. The other Wednesday nights are traditional class times. These "breaks" have allowed us to enjoy the freedom of serving others and to learn how to submit ourselves to each other. Our men's class is maturing in so many ways and more men are becoming a part of this very special connection.
Since we have small groups on Sunday night (which I love, and ours is the best group ever!) I miss having the "leisure" time of connecting with people outside of our small group. Sunday mornings seem to be rushed after it finishes. People leaving for lunch etc. Wednesday night is like sitting on the porch swing and catching up on relationships that God himself has given us. How sweet is that!
I am so thrilled to be a part of a church family that comes together because they want to, not because they have to. I grew up believing that attendance was mandatory on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. My mom knew what I had not yet discovered. Jesus is about freedom, not legalism. While she had the freedom to enjoy every minute she spent with her church family, I was bound by the Hell-sponsored notion that those gatherings were just another legalistic requirement to be filled by those "working" their way to Heaven. Mom knew. Now I know. I am no longer bound. He has set me free. And I love spending those Wednesday nights singing, praying, learning, growing, and just sharing time with the wonderful church family He has given me. Whether there are 10 or 50 or 500, I will be there loving every minute of it.
Hi Terry,
I can't really give comment on the happenings at Memorial. But I went from a church that met for Sunday school, Worship assembly, small groups and a wednesday night Bible study, to a church where I am limited to preaching on Sunday (the same sermon twice), and then small groups on Sunday night.
I miss seeing my church family some during the week. I miss the mid-week Bible study.
But I've been blessed with an opportunity in this that I wouldn't have had otherwise.
My kids go to an Awanas program at a local church - Crestview Bible church. And yes, it is a "Calvinistic" church and they teach "calvinistic" views. I try to tenor what my kids are learning. After all, it is my responsibility to teach them, not Awanas or Crestview Bible Church.
But during that time, Crestview has a small adult Bible study that I attended last week since my church doesn't have a Wednesday night program.
A small group of people, all men, meet in the preacher's office to discuss the Sermon on the MOunt. What I discovered was wonderful.
They were talking about Jesus and how important it is that we understand not just the words he said, but that we understand the heart of it.
Whether they are calvinistic, restoration church or otherwise, I hope this is the kind of teaching that people are hearing all over the world.
It was refreshing and filled a void I had been missing.
Just my experience.
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