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CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 1:19:54 PM
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doinkdom
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From: The higher lowcountry
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What is your opinion of churches who pretty much "close" for the summer, shutting down Sunday School, small groups and nearly every other activity for the summer?
And what about visitors that come in during the summer? With everything "closed" how do these visitors get connected or cared for?
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 1:21:24 PM
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Soxfan
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I don't remember Jesus or the disciples taking the summer off.
I didn't realize that believers didn't need to continue to be fed the Word during the summer
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"This would be the first step in apostasy; men first forget the true, and then adore the false.".......C.H. Spurgeon
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 1:24:07 PM
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Kat_D
Posts: 3200
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I have never heard of such a thing. What churches do this and where?
We do take breaks in our Women's Bible Study during the summer because most of the women are mothers and their kids are home which makes it more difficult for them to come, or they are away on vacation.
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~Kat
"...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...no more death, sorrow, nor crying."
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 1:30:38 PM
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kernsfamily
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I know we don't "close" at all....in fact, the church is RARELY closed....there is SOMETHING almost always going on.....
some classes "shift" here and there to better accomodate most people's "summer schedules".....there are some "different" things we do for Wednesday night church, for instance....
on wednesday night (since there isn't AWANA, children's choir programs, etc..etc...), we have "church nights" at a local water park....tickets are heavily discounted, and the entire park is "reserved" just for the church, and it's a great opportunity to invite friends/neighbors.....there's a short devotional......and, just a plain 'ol good time....good fellowship....
our activities certainly don't "close" for the summer.....they just change a bit....
good topic!
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Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 2:09:56 PM
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DenimDiva
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I don't think it's a good idea, but I can see why some smaller churches do it. It used to bother me that youth group would get canceled in the summer. But I can see where the volunteers might need a few months to do other things.
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 2:39:23 PM
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bgwill3
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I have never encountered a church that does this, nor have I ever heard of the practice. I guess I gotta get out more and socialize more with church folks from around the world!
Anyway, in the church in which I grew up, it seemed almost like things revved up in the summertime. I attended (with my family) a pentecostal denominational church with a relatively small following (maybe an average Sunday morning attendance of 150? but I wasn't counting). We began every summer with a tent revival—we erected a tent on the church's parking lot, complete with folding chairs, a platform, and all the instrumentation of the church moved out into the tent. The tent revival usually began around Father's Day, lasted a couple weeks, and there was service every night, including Saturday night.
By July 4, we would be closing out the tent revival. I suppose some people did travel during the summer, and looking back, there may have been less attendance during summer months. But to be honest, I think that summer vacations of any extended period were not an option for many in the congregation, because of their own financial concerns. In my own family, there were two summers in which I travelled out of town with my family as a 'yungin'. However, we never took a vacation all together as a family (mom, dad, and us four kids). Some of us would travel, and some would stay home. I don't know if my father ever travelled during the summer months, for vacation. Not until my siblings and I were out of high school, anyway.
My pastor growing up was a district superintendent in the denomination, and the annual district convention was held the last week of July, culminating with a full day on the first Sunday in August annually. So July was the last month before the week-long meeting, and things were pulled together for it (committee meetings, choir rehearsals, etc). The Sunday service always included ordinances (Communion, Baptism, and footwashing).
By mid-August, the church began its VBS, which lasted a week, if I remember correctly. And Labor Day (and the start of school) was only a few weeks following.
I have never been a member of a church that eliminated programs during the summer. But, for some churches, I suppose it does make sense.
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‡ Brian ‡
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 2:42:46 PM
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bluestone
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In small churches with limited staff and participation, it is common in my area. People are gone on vacation, attendance is down overall, and there just aren't enough people participating in small groups or choir to keep it going. Everyone gets a break until fall.
We never dismiss Sunday School, however.
However, in summer we have VBS, Campmeeting, District Assembly, a variety of social activities, etc.
< Message edited by bluestone -- 6/19/2008 2:49:18 PM >
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I need Christ. Not something that resembles Christ.
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 3:51:30 PM
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ezri
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Our small church has a few things that meet only during the school year.
Moms in Touch is a group that prays specifically for the schools in the area.
JOY exercise classes (Just Older Youth or the LOL's Lil ol Ladies)
In past years we have stopped our 1st Sunday church dinners in the summer due to lack of attendance- the deacon body has asked the ladies that do this meal if they will continue this summer as we are without a pastor and they feel it will help maintain a feeling of community to continue the dinners.
Our attendance goes way down in the summer too- Wednesday nights by half and that means some Wednesday nights we might only have 7 or 8 in the prayer meeting. The youth and childrens ministries still do Girls in Action and Royal Ambassadors as well as the youth ministries. those would be another 7-8 adults and probably 10-15 kids/youth (6 of those are mine.)
it can be discouraging but we keep on keeping on.
~e
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<-- My Handsome Honey.
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 4:02:26 PM
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colliefan
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From: Raleigh, NC
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My church goes on a Summer schedule with no SS and one service. The arguement in favor is that Summer attendance is spotty and gives the volunteers a break. Preparing a lesson is work so I can see the need for a break.
At womens prison, the main BSF-like bible study takes a break to give the leader and the small group leaders a break. Also, the gym where the hold their meetings is not air conditioned.
The room in the dorm where we hold our meetings IS air conditioned and that fact draws women who would not ordinarily come to a bible study. My take is that has long has I have people who want to study the bible I do not care about the season.
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 5:11:11 PM
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GroupW
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We do the same thing. We also have a coffee hour on the sidewalk just outside the church under the trees. Makes for a fun fellowship time. People generally hang out for an hour or so chatting away and enjoying a doughnut & cup of coffee. Taking care of visitors is no problem - just go grab 'em a cup of coffee and talk.
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 7:51:58 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
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The church I work for closes down small groups, except for one, and the teen nights are not weekly, but activities are planned at least once a month for them, and many are gone to youth camps.
Where I attend, everything continues, except for week-night classes.
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Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 8:59:46 PM
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SusieD
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quote:
I don't remember Jesus or the disciples taking the summer off.
Well, to be fair, I don't remember Jesus scheduling a weekly worship service every Sunday at 10:00 either!
I wonder why everything has to be scheduled and programmed anyway? If the programs are all canceled for the summer, does the church neglect coming together during the week for fellowship, encouragement, discipleship and teaching?
Jesus shared his life with his disciples, teaching them daily as they walked along the way.
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Susie
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/19/2008 9:00:44 PM
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themoodyexperience
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
I have never heard of such a thing. What churches do this and where?
I'm with you. Of course I live in the Church Belt aka Bible Belt.
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/20/2008 11:10:16 AM
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doinkdom
Posts: 4131
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From: The higher lowcountry
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SusieD
quote:
I don't remember Jesus or the disciples taking the summer off.
Well, to be fair, I don't remember Jesus scheduling a weekly worship service every Sunday at 10:00 either!
I wonder why everything has to be scheduled and programmed anyway? If the programs are all canceled for the summer, does the church neglect coming together during the week for fellowship, encouragement, discipleship and teaching?
Jesus shared his life with his disciples, teaching them daily as they walked along the way.
I would have to agree. (Jesus scheduling weekly events would just be impossible without his planning calendar and all.  )
However, we have found with our new church plant that many unchurched, disconnected and even unsaved folks look to the tradition of Sunday church as part of the culture. When they think of visiting a church, they generally think Sunday mornings.
In our community, it is fairly accepted that churches of any size tend to slim back opportunities to commune with one another during the summer.
It just seems that's the time people are moving to other areas and exploring churches and schools, etc. for their family so what better time to make sure there are available groups, etc. for these people.
And thanks Tricia for adding your post from the other thread - I wasn't sure if I was allowed to do that or not.
GroupW - I really liked the coffee hour on the sidewalk idea - that's awesome! It's not the same as a coffee shop, but seems to be more welcoming.
Does anyone have ideas for a church to do during the summer when other things shut down, what can we creatively do to serve the local community and/or minister to our neighbors?
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/20/2008 11:14:14 AM
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Kat_D
Posts: 3200
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From: Where We Shake, Rattle & Roll!
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
I have never heard of such a thing. What churches do this and where?
We do take breaks in our Women's Bible Study during the summer because most of the women are mothers and their kids are home which makes it more difficult for them to come, or they are away on vacation.
Oh, I just want to add that we do have something called "Summer Nights" for the women once a month during the summer. These gatherings usually feature special music and a message from a guest speaker. The women's small group home Bible studies continue in the summer also.
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~Kat
"...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...no more death, sorrow, nor crying."
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/20/2008 11:31:53 AM
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cow451
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quote:
ORIGINAL: themoodyexperience
quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
I have never heard of such a thing. What churches do this and where?
I'm with you. Of course I live in the Church Belt aka Bible Belt.
A lot have become like the "Big Box" retail stores.
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Wenn Sie so intelligent sind, warum Sie hier sind?
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/20/2008 12:19:23 PM
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BibleL7
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Gee guess us smaller churches miss out on such trends. Of course we only have Sunday services, Wed Bible study and prayer, Thursday women's and men's Bible studies and then out Tue & Thur giving out bread and dairy products. Of course when you usually only have ten or less people at any activities except Sunday Morning service I guess it doesn't make as much a difference if a few take off. Of course we do have our church picnic in July and our Anniversary in August to add to summer. Of course with membership of about 20 adults I guess we more enjoy getting together especially when we have fellowship meals.
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/20/2008 12:50:31 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 4131
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From: The higher lowcountry
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Does anyone include the "family" during times of getting together?
Like rotating who watches the little ones while everyone meets for study?
And if the kids are 12 and older, can they be included in what the adults are doing? Thereby instilling a sense of ownership in the body itself, rather than staying a kid till they leave for college and never come back.
Just thoughts and questions that we've actually been tossing around where I'd love to hear feedback or suggestions from y'all.
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/20/2008 1:05:34 PM
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BibleL7
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Not sure what ya mean on this one the church is family so how would you not include family in what you are doing? we have one teen he comes to mens study did join church so is member as for services he has option to go with kids if they separate or stay. For regular services usually one or two adults take youngins in dining room by sermon time sometimes at prayer time. oh and on Thursdays the dads watch kids for women's study and women then take em for mens study.
quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
Does anyone include the "family" during times of getting together?
Like rotating who watches the little ones while everyone meets for study?
And if the kids are 12 and older, can they be included in what the adults are doing? Thereby instilling a sense of ownership in the body itself, rather than staying a kid till they leave for college and never come back.
Just thoughts and questions that we've actually been tossing around where I'd love to hear feedback or suggestions from y'all.
< Message edited by BibleL7 -- 6/20/2008 1:14:40 PM >
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/20/2008 1:11:16 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 4131
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From: The higher lowcountry
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family as in family unit - mom, dad, children who live in same household
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RE: CLOSED for the summer - 6/20/2008 1:20:20 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3491
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quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
family as in family unit - mom, dad, children who live in same household
Amein.
And a congregation is supposed to be a community, but how many truly are?
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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