Comments on: Adapting Our Stereotypes

By: Julie Clawson

Julie Clawson — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:10:21 +0000

I agree that early morning church is painful. and we have a house church in our house that meets Sunday mornings… no chance of sleeping in and skipping that. People still make fun of us and ask when we will grow up and keep regular schedules. We've just found that with ministry jobs late nights and late mornings work best. If we want to have "family time" we schedule it for when those we serve are at work no matter how many times we are told it's weird or asked when we will grow up.

Pete – I do struggle with this. I know and respect the schedules people keep and know that the church and it's myriad of programs shouldn't demand just more from an already stressed out schedule. But I also believe that church isn't just a place people come to be fed and experience a service – it is a community that shares lives and serves each other. Fitting in an hour every other week or so doesn't build community like that. I think the whole structure of church may need to be rethought to help people truly be parts of each others lives and not just be a scheduling conflict to check off the list.

By: Jewlsntexas

Jewlsntexas — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:01:45 +0000

So what if they don't want to get up early on a Sunday morning. What about it being a sabbath? What is restful about getting up, rushing around, barking at your family to get them out the door for yet another morning. There are churches where we live that have 3 pm Sunday services – is that less holy than 11 am?
You're right – we don't make room well for people that are different. Me included.

By: The Christian Heretic

The Christian Heretic — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:53:33 +0000

And even for those who don't work on Sundays, there's absolutely no good reason for church services to be on Sunday morning. I don't care if you think I'm lazy or not, I'm not forcing myself out of bed on Sunday morning for church. Schedule it at a reasonable hour or I won't be there. 2 p.m. sounds about right.

By: Pistol Pete

Pistol Pete — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:51:31 +0000

You are so right and I'm not sure either where to begin – other than by offering a good many options for spiritual growth and simply not expecting people to come every time the church doors are opened.

Worship remains a great challenge, though. We'd love for everybody to gather at once, but there is no one time that suits everybody. Even small churches like ours need to consider at least one alternative to one weekly Sunday service.

By: josh

josh — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:21:29 +0000

i'll take that as a compliment then.

By: Julie Clawson

Julie Clawson — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:15:31 +0000

Oh I wouldn't be that mean (most days).

Yours is actually the most sane discussion on that topic I've participated in in a long time.

By: josh

josh — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:49:49 +0000

well i'm glad the post isn't about me. i read your title and my stomach sank cause i thought my blogging friend julie was going to rip me. and i thought my last comments might have pissed you off. haha.