Sunday Evening Services

[nicolejoy]

I think that if you have ONE service on a Sunday, people don't care if they spend 4 or more hrs at church. It's "harder" on people to give 2 lots of 2 hrs than one lot of 4 hrs... The "time" could be exactly the same, but in one block, it's "easier"...


And I totally agree that fellowship is EXTREMELY important... sharing, getting to know each other and the struggles we're all having... praying for each other in small groups - we cannot afford to NOT have that in our churches!!!

[Gingerale]

While I agree on the "new" ways of doing the church thing... It was like my pastor's wife and I spoke about last night over dinner. We ARE all the church, even without the building. However, when more than 2 people are gathered together, there is gonna be a good opportunity for church. but the chances of being able to get one on one with a new convert during the week is slim. Take me, for instance. Just now getting back into the swing of being in church again- most of the people in our church are working during the week, or have other obligations.

Now. I called my pastor's wife, and told her... I need fellowship. So most of the church went out to eat last night because of the fact that I really hated not being around church folks all week. However... not every church is like the one I attend... And not everyone has time during the week... Let's get real about this. People need Godly intervention, whether in the building, or out. And honestly, there are very few people who will go to a new convert during the week, and say "hey, let's have a prayer meeting... "

  times have changed. people have busy lives.

thank you, Mellow for your words. you are always kind, and never offensive in your "speaking". and I appreciate that you think about things from all perspectives before jumping... lol... *hugs*

I hope I haven't seemed to be overreacting about the subject. And If I have offended anyone, please accept my apologies... I just am stuck in my ways about church as a whole, being a preacher's kid 2 times around, and seeing so many people fall off the wagon, because of their lack of fellowship.

[SippinTea]

seeing so many people fall off the wagon, because of their lack of fellowship.

Isn't that the truth! They don't seem to realize what they're doing to themselves. Or else they just don't care, I guess.

[not my will but thine]

  times have changed. people have busy lives.

Is that really a good excuse to tell God when its gonna really count? 

I think we have gotten away from priorities and use excuses such as times have changed or the world moves at a faster pace now.  I understand that you have to work and be a provider but other than work and family what else is there that HAS to be done.  I'm not one to say that you have to go every time the door is open or think there is a particular # of services that must be conducted each week or else...  but if fellowship of godly people is what you are seeking after then go to church and don't grip and complain about how many times a week there is a church service. 

On the other hand I feel there are a lot more opportunities in this age of high tech gadgets, internet and webcast that allows for flexibility and convenience for the modern day Christian.  There are countless churches with websites that post webcast of services where you can go and listen to the word being taught.  This will limit your fellowship but I believe the Spirit can move in you while sitting in your chair at home watching a broadcast of a church service just the same as sitting in a pew in that same church.

Thats a lot of ranting and raving and I justed wanted to point out that God has given us free will to make our decision.  Maybe for some it will be to pick a church that only meets once a week so that they can "be busy" the rest of the week or the other end of the spectrum pick one that meets several times a week and goes to church (the actual building) every opportunity regardless of what else is happening in life (short of work obligations and family obligations--  but hey shouldn't family be involved in church with you anyway-- I know not always the case) 

I agree that the focus of the service should be more on the quality rather than the quantity as someone stated in this thread but isn't it possible to have both! 

Sorry, I will hush now.  Not intended as backlash for anyone just my 2 cents

[Melody]

I'm not one to say that you have to go every time the door is open

but that is exactly how many pastors not only feel but command

[natewasmundt]

I'm not one to say that you have to go every time the door is open

but that is exactly how many pastors not only feel but command

Yep.  I know a Pastor and wife, though, that while they preach that and say that's required of people involved in the ministry at their church, the Pastor and wife themselves are hardly at mid-week services - especially his wife.  She made the statement a few months ago that she doesn't even like going to church anymore.

[Melody]

wow, that's so sad.  They need revival.

[nicolejoy]

I love what the word "revival" actually means - we use it so much that sometimes we don't think about what it means any more... "revival" is coming back to life, something that has been "dead" or "down" or something like that coming back to life, with renewed energy/love/fervency!!

[Gingerale]

  times have changed. people have busy lives.

Is that really a good excuse to tell God when its gonna really count? 

No excuse for me... You misinterpreted the aspect I was writing from. now... you count on one hand people YOU know, that go out (instead of working, and tending to their children), to talk to new converts, and people who are lost. I can't count ANYONE on my hand that will miss a day of work just to go see someone who needs fellowship. I don't mean busy in a loose fashion. I mean it in a workminded/children minded atmosphere.

I wasn't referring to myself. Because I witness as much as I can. I was talking about people as a whole. :]

and... that point made, it's not relative to the conversation at hand. I was explaining my viewpoints on why people SOME people need more church, rather than less. Most people I know, are too busy (not in idle things, but responsibilities), to just leave what they're doing to meet with someone who needs fellowship. I speak from experience.

  Being a backslider, when I began to get weak, and missed church, VERY few people (in fact, only 2) even called me to see what was going on. It's because with jobs, and having to care for 3/4 children a day... not everyone can just jump and run. so... where was I getting Godly fellowship when I needed it? My church at that time, only had services on Sunday mornings, and sunday nights. no midweek services.  and though I knew how to have a walk with God, I was a weak person. I needed more fellowship, and bluntly, nobody had time for fellowship during the week.

That is what I meant... Maybe I should have elaborated more on what I meant by that.

[not my will but thine]

Praise Break,

Please don't be offended by what I said,  I wasn't taking a stab at you or anyone else 

I do agree with your last post and think that is reality and where we (as the church) have evolved too and led busy life's.  The point I want to try and get across is we (all of us) need to sit down and consider our priorties and go a little bit of an extra mile to fellowship and live the life of a christian.

Hope that makes better sense

[amanda16]

we have sunday morning and evening services then wednesday night.. Then on mondays it's bible study tuesdays ladys meetings thursdays mens meetings friday prayer saturday youth meetings so we have stuff going on every night... 

[Jennie-lynnie]

The church that I went to before I got married had Sunday morning and Sunday evening service. It was a small church (about 25-30 people). On Sunday morning we would have the 25-30 but on Sunday night we would only have about 8-10 people show up. It really wasn't going well at all. On Sunday morning people would stroll in all tired and just sit there. It was lifeless. Then on Sunday evening they would have prayer at 5:30 and church at 6. The evening service there was always so much more powerful than there morning service!


The church we go to now has church on Sunday at 2:00 pm. Prayer at 1:30. And we usually get out around 4:00-4:30. I love it! When I go into service I'm well rested and  I get in there in the prayer room and get in tune before service begins! I have seen some of the most powerful moves of God in this church! I think that having prayer before service is essential! It gets me going and ready for service!

[Gingerale]

Praise Break,

Please don't be offended by what I said,  I wasn't taking a stab at you or anyone else 

I do agree with your last post and think that is reality and where we (as the church) have evolved too and led busy life's.  The point I want to try and get across is we (all of us) need to sit down and consider our priorties and go a little bit of an extra mile to fellowship and live the life of a christian.

Hope that makes better sense

NoNo! I wasn't offended in the least. I was just wanting to make clear my meaning, so I didn't seem to be somewhat of a lazy christian. Lol. I agree totally with what you said. Our priority on this earth is not for us to uplift us... It's about reaching the lost... And at any cost. :]

[poetic]

 I've heard that the reason why some pentecostal churches don't have a sunday evening service is because they want the members to spend time with their family and fellowship.
   It would be awkward for me not to be going to church on sunday evening. Sunday is the day here in the states that we set aside solely for God.

[titushome]

Sunday is the day here in the states that we set aside solely for God.

And God forbid that time spent with our families would be counted as time spent with Him!

[Gingerale]

Sunday is the day here in the states that we set aside solely for God.

And God forbid that time spent with our families would be counted as time spent with Him!

Exactly... I was talking to one of the other posters on here (my best friend) and she said it feels funny not having service on Sunday Nights at her church. And we discussed being with family... Good grief. Church is where family bonds grow strongest. *shrugs*

[Heather]

but what about people like me who's family is not in church? sunday evenings is the one day my mom, dad, and sister are actually home. so generally matt and i go to church at 2. get out. fellowship. go to any meetings or practices, then come to my house to see my family. this is our time to spend with them and to witness to them. knowing we had church, they are always asking what has happened in service that day.

[titushome]

You can spend time with people who don't know the Lord - your family in particular - and simultaneously spend time with the Lord.  It may not feel as rich for you personally to spend time with people with whom you don't share that bond of an intimate relationship with Him , but both you and they need that time together.

[Gingerale]

 I don't know. I just know for so long, the church has set aside Sundays to be the Sabbath, or God's Day. My family isn't in church. neither is my husband. but you make bet I don't miss a service when he's home. And the church sure doesn't dismiss Sunday night service for me to spend time with Nick just because he is only home 6 days out of the month. sometimes less. Sometimes Going to church is more of a living witness to people than sitting at home. :] 

[RandyWayne]

My family isn't in church. neither is my husband. but you make bet I don't miss a service when he's home. And the church sure doesn't dismiss Sunday night service for me to spend time with Nick just because he is only home 6 days out of the month. sometimes less. Sometimes Going to church is more of a living witness to people than sitting at home. :]

Ok, this is a little telling.
For one thing, is God the priority or is it the church?  I know you will say God, and I will believe you when you say it, but I am not so sure that your husband can see the distinction.  Especially if he is only home, as you say, 6 days a month.
It is about priorities.  God DOES come first, but family is a close 2nd (and even within the family, it is the spouse then the kids -in that order).  The church is a distant 3rd or 4th on the list.

Your husband knows you love attending church.  Here is a thought.... stay home on a Sunday night and make him the best dinner he has ever had!  I can guarantee it will pay off and NO 'witness' will be lost.  Show him that HE comes before the church -not before God, but before the building, fellowship of the saints, and pastor of the place you call church.

[Chosen1]

I have to disagree with ya Randy.  I know Ging(takeapraisebreak) will disagree also.  Her and I have the same views on church.  Anyways...if her hubby thinks well she will stay home with me on sunday nite, then maybe she will stay home with me on tuesday nite, and so on and so on.  She needs to be the example God wants her to be so her hubby will start going to church.  Which God is going to do a miracle in his life, we are believing for it in Jesus Name then he will go to church with her.  But anyways........  Also if he sees her going to church and living right then maybe a lightbulb will go off in his head and say "hey there really is something to this Jesus and Holy Ghost, I need to try it out."

[titushome]

Given what little I know about TAPB's situation, I agree with Randy.

With a husband who is home all the time, I believe the wife should be faithful to attend every church service she can.  But when he is only home six days out of the month, it's likely that making a priority of spending time with him would be a more powerful witness of God's love than faithfulness to church services.

Remember, the church is not a place or a scheduled meeting - it's US, the people; WE are the Church.  And to your husband, YOU are the Church.

Like I said, I don't know much about your situation, so I could be wrong.  But I encourage you to prayerfully consider ways you can be a witness to your husband by placing priority on your time with him, since he's home so little.  I have a hunch he'll hugely appreciate any effort you make to be with him while he's home.

[Melody]

I'm trying to look at it from your hubby's point of view.  If I were unsaved and only home 6 days a month, and some of those days my spouse didn't spend them with me and me with them, boy would that be a hard if not impossible marriage.  Not only for the small amount of time we have together but for the fact that he didn't love me enough to take advantage of the short time we had.  He may love God with all he has but that is reflected in how I see him be when he's around me, not when he's gone.  That would hurt my feelings actually because saved or not, I know that God is not a church and a church is not God.  Unsaved people may not get the Spiritual things but they're not stupid either.  So it would be saying to me that he'd rather be around church people than me.  What's the point of being married?

I'm not saying it's that way for you but if it's not, you are the 1% exception, and you haven't been married long either, so a case cannot be built on that.

[Gingerale]

OKay.

1. My hubby is a backslider. He knows the difference between the church/God.  He has been around the UPC mentality enough to know what we believe and what we don't.

2. MY hubby would rather me go to church, than for me to stay home and try to re-convert him.

3. I can witness to my husband other nights than just a sunday night. In fact... He respects the fact that I go to church. And after being together for so long, the only other witnessing a person can do for their unsaved spouse, is to live the life. attend church every service possible. 


  that being said... why has this discussion become and all out "let's agree to disagree with Ginger discussion"? It clearly has nothing to do with me and my husband, and has been manipulated into a discussion about just that.

The topic at hand is about Sunday night services. Or the lack thereof. Not about whether or not I stay home and cook dinner for Nicholais.

   So can we please go back to the original topic???


Thanks... :]
Gin

[titushome]

  that being said... why has this discussion become and all out "let's agree to disagree with Ginger discussion"? It clearly has nothing to do with me and my husband, and has been manipulated into a discussion about just that.

For my part, no manipulation was intended.  I apologize.