From The Wall Street Journal …
The decline in Sunday schools appears to be gradual but steady. A study by the Barna Group indicated that in 2004 churches were 6% less likely to provide Sunday school for children ages 2 to 5 as in 1997. For middle-school kids, the decline was to 86% providing Sunday school in 2004 from 93% in 1997. Similarly, there was a six-percentage-point drop in Sunday schools offered for high school kids — to 80% from 86%. All in all, about 20,000 fewer churches were maintaining Sunday-school classes. And the future does not look bright: Only 15% of ministers regarded Sunday school as a leading concern. The younger the pastor, the study showed, the less emphasis he placed on Sunday school.
What about the church you attend? Is Sunday School advancing or declining?
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been attending (and have taught) Sunday School most of my life (41). I can honestly report that while at Church. I learn more from Sunday School than from a general sermon. The interaction with each other. Along with the ability to ask questions is something that isn’t part of the “Worship Service” generally. If the only biblical teaching a typical church attending person gets is from the pultip. In my opinion, is missing out on a healthy biblical education. Sunday School is just that…. School that you attend on Sundays. It’s education (along with some group therapy at times). In my personal experience. Sunday School is the place where friendships are formed and bonding among church members are glued together. When I was teaching Jr. High studends. There were more that accepted Christ from being able to ask questions and share with each other during Sunday School than would have ever happened dureing a general worship service.
Sunday School is a HUGE part of my Church Life.
These new young pastors that don’t think there is still a place for Sunday School in today’s church have spent their past few years in Seminary and, it seems, have not actually been attending a real home church Sunday School class.
My 2 cents……
Thanks Shaun for your thoughts and sharing your experience. I grew up in Sunday School as well. And, like you, some of my most formative, enriching times have come not in the Sunday morning worship “hour.”
For me, it’s not necessarily been Sunday School, per se; that hour before or after the worship time on Sunday. But, it’s been in small group Bible studies in homes or other comfortable environments where I’ve grown a lot.
So, I won’t argue too much that we have to have Sunday School as it’s traditionally been – but I do think we need Christian education outside that which is provided in the community worship gathering.
Yes. Some kind of Christian Education.
It is much easier to promote new believers to attend a Christian Education class before or after worship service than to have them come back on , let’s say, a Tuesday evening.
An hour earlier (or later) than a time they may already be there takes less of a commitment. I would think that the attendance on a Sunday morning would be higher.
Other than changing the name from Sunday School to Christian Education to sound less churchy. It would be the same.
“Tuesday School”, “Bible Study”, “Small Group Discussions”.
They are all essentially the same thing. Just different names and times. Studying, discussing, sharing, with like minded people. Whatever it’s called. It’s a positive part of Church. Those who just warm a pew for an hour on Sunday are really missing out of much more.
Sunday School is COOL…
Just realized that I didn’t actually answer the question asked. Our classes at Colesburg are growing. Going to need to make room for more by ordering some portable room dividers and making two more rooms in the fellowship hall. Hallelujah!!!