Sunday school skippers

[mike]

On an unrelated note, does anyone know how to unregistered at this site?


I looked around and could not find anything

There is no reason why you couldn’t just stop posting, as you keep saying you will. We could inactive your account, but then you would have to create a new one when someone says something that you need to respond to. I’d hate to put you through that.

[mike]

I find it really strange why people would routinely skip Sunday school, which is really the introduction to the typical conservative Mennonite worship service. We raised 12 kids and almost never that I can remember made excuse to skip Sunday school and show up late to church.

In fact, there is more worship activity during the Sunday school portion of the service than during the “worship service“ that follows. Singing, prayer, devotional readings, group Bible study and discussion- these things entail worship more so than listening to an hour-long lecture in my opinion.

[Soloist]

I find it really strange why people would routinely skip Sunday school, which is really the introduction to the typical conservative Mennonite worship service. We raised 12 kids and almost never that I can remember made excuse to skip Sunday school and show up late to church.

In fact, there is more worship activity during the Sunday school portion of the service than during the “worship service“ that follows. Singing, prayer, devotional readings, group Bible study and discussion- these things entail worship more so than listening to an hour-long lecture in my opinion.

1Co 14:29  Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

While I admit I don’t know if or how this was supposed to apply but if a minister says something in error you can speak to him in the assembly line after or privately later but it’s up to him if he corrects it. During Sunday school if something objectionable is said it’s addressed.

I don’t remember specifically but there was a fellow who consistently would peddle the same nonsense and finally one of the leaders had enough and told him to stop quite publicly.

[barnhart]

In fact, there is more worship activity during the Sunday school portion of the service than during the “worship service“ that follows. Singing, prayer, devotional readings, group Bible study and discussion- these things entail worship more so than listening to an hour-long lecture in my opinion.

In my opinion this is one borrowing from the fundamentalists that we used well.

[mike]

I find it really strange why people would routinely skip Sunday school, which is really the introduction to the typical conservative Mennonite worship service. We raised 12 kids and almost never that I can remember made excuse to skip Sunday school and show up late to church.

In fact, there is more worship activity during the Sunday school portion of the service than during the “worship service“ that follows. Singing, prayer, devotional readings, group Bible study and discussion- these things entail worship more so than listening to an hour-long lecture in my opinion.

1Co 14:29  Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

While I admit I don’t know if or how this was supposed to apply but if a minister says something in error you can speak to him in the assembly line after or privately later but it’s up to him if he corrects it. During Sunday school if something objectionable is said it’s addressed.

I don’t remember specifically but there was a fellow who consistently would peddle the same nonsense and finally one of the leaders had enough and told him to stop quite publicly.

Amish and Beachy churches often have this tradition where after the sermon, other ministers are asked or expected to "give testimony" to the sermon. Presumably this could be a time where elders could correct errors, but without fail it is simply expanding on the sermon or expressing agreement.

It is pretty rare, almost unheard of, that someone would say something objectionable enough either in Sunday School or during the sermon that it would need to be addressed during the service. Usually, it can wait till Sunday lunch.

[JohnH]

In our circles one of the other ministers or deacons often gives a closing where they “support the message”.

Occasionally a layperson (usually a visitor from another congregation) will also get up and lend us support to the message, sometimes with an inspiration they get from it.

In theory you could stand up and announce your lack of support for the message. I heard this happened once with a sermon that was particularly bad because the preacher mistakenly introduced false doctrine into it.

[mike]

In our circles one of the other ministers or deacons often gives a closing where they “support the message”.

Occasionally a layperson (usually a visitor from another congregation) will also get up and lend us support to the message, sometimes with an inspiration they get from it.

In theory you could stand up and announce your lack of support for the message. I heard this happened once with a sermon that was particularly bad because the preacher mistakenly introduced false doctrine into it.

In our tradition, a minister gets up and gives a few comments, then opens it up briefly for anyone to give a response or testimony before offering the closing prayer.

[JohnH]

In our circles one of the other ministers or deacons often gives a closing where they “support the message”.

Occasionally a layperson (usually a visitor from another congregation) will also get up and lend us support to the message, sometimes with an inspiration they get from it.

In theory you could stand up and announce your lack of support for the message. I heard this happened once with a sermon that was particularly bad because the preacher mistakenly introduced false doctrine into it.

In our tradition, a minister gets up and gives a few comments, then opens it up briefly for anyone to give a response or testimony before offering the closing prayer.

I forgot about one other time that's quite common. At a wedding, a layperson often exercises their freedom to get up and "support the message", as a wedding is technically a standard worship service, and technically the worship service is considered the highest purpose of the meeting, not the wedding.

With that said, the bride's father has a tendency to be the layperson who supports the message, and then often rises again to take an opportunity to say another prayer after the closing prayer.

[Wesleyb]

I find it really strange why people would routinely skip Sunday school, which is really the introduction to the typical conservative Mennonite worship service. We raised 12 kids and almost never that I can remember made excuse to skip Sunday school and show up late to church.

My Sunday School class is in the back of the auditorium so I see who comes late. Some older people with health problems who find it difficult to be there the entire time, some families with very young children, visitors and some non-members who attend occasionally, and people with excuses: got to bed late last night, car broke down, have a headache . . . There's only one member family I can think of that just doesn't do Sunday School at all, not sure why. I have been in the excuses category a few times, but generally I see it as part of the entire service and plan to be there. I would guess around 90% of the members and regular attendees are there for Sunday School. I suppose I could find out because I think we record attendance for both.

In fact, there is more worship activity during the Sunday school portion of the service than during the “worship service“ that follows. Singing, prayer, devotional readings, group Bible study and discussion- these things entail worship more so than listening to an hour-long lecture in my opinion.

I think what people find meaningful varies a lot from person to person. At this point in my life I find the singing speaks to me the most powerfully, followed by the Sunday School discussion, but I realize that parts of the service I get less out of are still beneficial to me and those may be what is blessing someone else the most.

[ohio jones]

I forgot about one other time that's quite common. At a wedding, a layperson often exercises their freedom to get up and "support the message", as a wedding is technically a standard worship service, and technically the worship service is considered the highest purpose of the meeting, not the wedding.

"Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace." Fortunately, a response to that is not common.