Over the years, I have received so many emails, read so many books and articles, attended a number of seminars on one specific topic. Yet, after all the information, I’m not sure the answer is any more known than when I started. The subject has been divided by sex, age, education level, and an ever expanding list of specific categories each hoping that if they narrowed the target group small enough they could surely pinpoint the reason. They haven’t.
The subject; Sunday School Attendance, more specifically, “Why (fill in the target) don’t attend Sunday School?” Even as I write this article I’m staring a book entitled “Why Men Hate going…” And trust me I can produce a report on why women, children, teenagers, singles, college age, seniors, don’t attend Sunday School.
Maybe a little humor is a good way to start the conversation. Items off a list entitled “Top Ten Reasons Why People Don’t Attend Sunday School.” 10. The Pastor does not teach a class. 9. The pastor teaches a class. 8. It is Sunday. 7. Three letters; N.F.L. 6. I don’t have kids. 5. I have kids. 4. People that happy just give me the creeps. 3. I’m a good person (and I want to avoid being told otherwise) 2. When I want to feel guilty I just call my mother. And the number one reason people don’t go is…Because they haven’t found a class that meets their needs!
I find it interesting many of those who indicated their reason for not attending was “they haven’t found a class that meets their needs” have never attended or only attended once or twice in their entire life. I love to eat, but that doesn’t mean I love everything I have ever tasted, but it does mean that I didn’t know if I liked it or not until after I tried it.
I’m sure of many things and one thing I am sure of is you will never know if you like Sunday School if you never give it a try. I also know that if you bring them, they will be here. I believe the next step in the life of Live Oak Baptist Church is to increase the effectiveness of our Sunday School. I don’t pretend to have all the answers but your staff is working hard to understand “why many folks never attend Sunday School?”
The staff covets your prayers and your comments and we continue down the path of understanding. Sunday School is a ministry that has the potential of touching lives in the areas in which people are hurting, longing, and looking. We are not a perfect church! We are a church that is attempting to meet the spiritual, emotional, physical, and moral needs of those who come and who are reaching out to those who have not yet come. The Word of God is our text book and Jesus is our theme.
Many do not attend church or Sunday School because they have become spoiled to the pleasure of the world. They have been distracted, misguided and mislead. We must continue to pray that through God’s grace that they will one day see the light.
Others may not attend Sunday School because I have not asked them to come. Each time someone comes forward to join fellowship with Live Oak Baptist Church my first responsibility is to ensure they are a Christian. A sinner, forgiven by God’s grace, cleansed by Jesus’ blood, a sinner become saint, having established a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
But what next, what about you; if we value Christ, then we must value being part of his family. Nobody attends a family reunion by showing up at the door then turning around and leaving, we don’t eat the green beans and skip the meatloaf, and mashed taters. We want to see our family, we want to enjoy the entire meal, and (we even want dessert).
This Sunday don’t plan to just come to worship, come and be part of Sunday School. Come and meet your family one on one and get to know them. You may find the dessert is the best part.
I look forward to seeing YOU this Sunday!
Bro. Howard
