I love Sunday School. There, I said it out loud.
When I became a pastor 30 years ago (What? 30 years have gone by? But I am so young!) the question was asked differently. You know, the question we asked each other when we pastors got together- “How was your attendance?” We used to ask, 30 years ago, about how many were in Sunday School.
30 years later, when we announce our attendance, we answer with our worship attendance. There is nothing wrong, of course, with tracking our worship attendance. It is worth noting, however, that Sunday School has been de-emphasized in many churches in this generation.
I am an unashamed Sunday School junkie. We emphasize Sunday School in our church-though we have jazzed up the name to “Life Groups”. Never does a week go by that I don’t mention something about Life Groups.
Sunday School, or however small groups are done, is such a vital part of a healthy church. I love worship. It is exciting and important and great. But let’s not lose sight of the importance of the personal, small group aspect of church life. It is a great place to learn and to experience life together. Churches who emphasize small groups in addition to worship are the stronger for it.
The Christian life is best experienced together. I encourage you to get in a Sunday School class or, if you attend FBC O’Fallon, IL, a Life Group.
Sunday School is worth emphasizing again.
Doug Munton 