Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Not being raised in an Apostolic church I have always found it strange that Sunday 'night' services are much more well attended and more... ummm... lively... than Sunday morning services. It appears that almost universally other denominations have the larger more well attended service in the morning.

Anybody know why that is or when it started? Just curious. :)

TIA

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Pentecostals were traditionally less affluent and most likely slept later?

Not sure...

Good question.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

I guess it's because Sunday morning is 'sunday school time' and focuses more on teaching, whereas Sunday night is 'shockamoo time' and focuses more on music and loud preaching???

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

I'm not sure why it's like that. Many churches have eliminated their Sunday night services so maybe it's beginning to play out. I do know that eating after Sunday night service was very popular, maybe that had something to do with it.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Ding, ding, ding......we have a winner! However this is ONLY true of predominately white America. Traditionally Sunday morning was for teaching/Sunday School while Sunday night was when the preaching and evangelistic services were conducted. The black churches for the most part have Sunday School and morning worship, with Sunday night being lightly attended by comparison. Hispanic churches traditionally (because many of them were works out of a larger church) have had Sunday afternoon services. (In between the larger church's services)

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Sunday, the day of rest:

Sunday School 9a.m.
Worship (preaching) 10a.m.

Eat somewhere 1p.m.

NAP 2:45-3:30p.m.

Choir practice 4:30p.m.
Evangelistic svc 6:00p.m.

Eat somewhere 9:45p.m.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Repeat 52 x per year.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

"Whenever the doors are open!"

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

you are right about Sunday nights being the more well attended of the two Sunday services. That has been the case for as long as the beginning of time, I think. I know it was like that back in the late '60's and thru the '70's.

We used to have big Sunday School attendance contests to get the big numbers for Sunday mornings. But Sunday nights? That's when people would flock to the church. Especially in the larger churches. In smaller churches, I'm not sure if Sunday nights were better attended. But they were for sure the service that everyone looked forward to the most. If you could only come to one service on Sunday, you would almost always choose the evening service. And it was out of the ordinary for the Holy Ghost to fall on a Sunday morning and for us to have a service with no preaching or teaching. But that wasn't all that unusual on a Sunday evening at all.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Times are a changing and all the UPC that I know of are having smaller night services for all the services and midweek is almost empty. In fact, many have quit having midweek services.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Where I am from Sunday morning is Sunday school and is much more laid back. Sunday night is when the choir sings and you have all out church.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

That's the way it was when I was growing up. I think that was pretty much standard across the UPC.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Yes...I remember for years that being the case - of course I also remember in the early years, driving 45min one way to service, then choir at 3:00, and night service at 6:00, then 45min ride back home - I truthfully do not miss that hectic schedule - especially the older I get.

Many of the churches around me do not have a Sunday night service anymore, unless they are having a revival or something. They now have a Sunday morning Sunday School at say 10:30 a.m., and regular service at 11:30 a.m. - then the rest of the day is "free".

Some folks are of the opinion that "less" services are a sign of the times (negatively of course) - while I applaud Pastors for being willing to change services - some even to Sat. evening to reach people - throwing tradition aside which for some is nearly impossible.

I know folks who work 6-days a week and Sunday is their only "off" day - so it is hard to get folks to "work" on their only day off - especially if there is a significant drive involved - it's life - and while assembling together is Biblical and very important - most of life in this world takes place outside of the four walls of the Church.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

I would not goto a church that did not have a Sunday night service

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Even if it wasn't Sunday night?

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

This reminds me of the story of the lady who was cooking a roast using her grandmother’s recipe. It called for cutting the roast in half.

She was wondering about that so she asked her mother and her mother said “well, that’s how my grandmother did it, how my mom did it and that’s how I do it.”

Tradition.

The lady decided to ask her grandmother and the answer was a bit different. Grandma laughed and said, well when I was small, my mom’s oven was too little to cook a whole roast in one pan, so she cut it in half and cooked it in two pans.

That was how I was raised, so even though I got a larger oven when I had my family I still did it the way my mom did it.



Pentecostals and Sunday night are a bit like that.
In the very early days, the churches were far apart by their standards as they walked or rode in buggies just as often as they went in cars to church in large parts of the country. Remember that America was far more rural in those days.

People would travel a long way to church on Sunday morning, have Sunday school, then eat the lunch they packed “on the grounds” then have their larger service after the afternoon of relaxation before making the long trek back home that evening.

As affluence seeped into the rural parts of the country in the 1940’s and 50s, and as churches opened in smaller communities, people didn’t have to travel for long periods of time, but the feeling of community that had developed was still appreciated.
That turned into two services on Sunday, with large attendance in the evening.

It is tradition. It developed out of the early period of the Pentecostal movement. It is starting to change. We are less connected culturally to our church. That has a huge part to play in the change.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Speaking of a roast, my Pastor likes to say, about every other Sunday, that we ought not be in a hurry. We shouldn't worry and let that roast in the over just burn. Don't hurry through service. Normally this is said when you can feel the service is winding down and he isn't getting the response in the altar he wanted, so he is trying to pump the primer and get people to "push farther" in the spirit.

I'm usually thinking, "I don't have a roast in the oven, but if I did...wouldn't it be wasteful and poor stewardship to just intentionally let food burn because this guy doesn't think we prayed enough?" I mean I'm all for a good move in teh altar, but if "God isn't moving" I really hate the whole cheerleading garbage and pumping people for an emotional response.

I know thats w hole different soapbox, but the roast comment reminded me of it.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Or to put it another way. . . .

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4725341210411304&pid=1.7

And

http://www.motivationals.org/demotiv...ster-15080.jpg

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Bingo - hit the nail on the head.

When I was coming up in the UPC, we didn't have television, couldn't play sports in school, or be involved in community groups......our entire life was the church.......Peanut Brittle on Mondays, Youth Service on Tuesdays, work night at the church on Wednesdays, Bible Study on Thursdays, youth rallies once a month on Saturdays, church all day on Sundays.........and revivals quite frequently, which were every night except Monday.....church was the center of our universe, as it were.

Now, I know that some of the hard liners will point to this and say "See, that's what's wrong with the church today", but in my opinion, it's all about balance.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

You know, while I am happy the "every day is church day" is behind us in some ways, I do wish we could seek a balance instead of what I see as running away from it.

We have relegated church to 2.33 hours on Sunday morning and we dont see anyone from church the rest of the week.

I think finding a balance where church is part of our culture and our church family is important to us is a good thing, even while knowing, it is not healthy for it to be the ONLY thing...

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

LOL! I know some Maroon bleaders who would pull out their swords and charge you for that one!

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

I agree. But, you know the pendulum concept....when you're on the far side of an issue, and you let go, you rarely come to the center and stop........you usually swing to the extreme the other way, then back, etc.....until you find the center......

On top of that, I think society in general is busier than it was 30 years ago....lots of outside activities for people to engage in, and not all of them ungodly......just not necessarily "church" based.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Would to God we had more balanced teachers among us....

My dad was truely a God called teacher. Never a preacher, but few could teach the word with his ability and insight. I could get you a list of preachers who told me that about my dad....

He said that Pauls writings were all about balance and yet somehow, we have missed that.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

The problem with the word "balance" in Apostolic nonemclature is that it's relative.....where you think the center is is not necessarily where I think the center is.

You know - anyone looser than me is charismatic, and anyone stricter than me is a fanatic.

To those who live in Louisiana, Missouri is north....for me, it's south.

And the scriptures are just vague enough to allow multiple interpretations, and so shall we ever endure this great divide :)

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Our Sunday morning services are generally better attended than our others. However, we draw strength from our gathering so often. Many times, we have had our new convert's questioned answered in all services through the preaching and teaching of the Word. Further, we have watched God move in all of our services. I do not think that I would ever want to miss an opportunity to see God move.

Lastly, there are times when I will be out of town, and working well into the afternoon. When this has happened, and I had to return to work in that town that night, it was always a pleasure to know that the church had a Sunday night service that I could attend and be in the presence of God, worshiping with fellow brothers and sisters.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Sacrilege! HUMPH :smack

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

I've not been UPC for over 25 years now. I was seriously surprised to find out that churches were doing away with midweek services and that Sunday night services were either being done away with or else seriously not being attended by many.

:thumbsup
We don't go to a UPC church and haven't for a very, very long time. I find it interesting tho that the church we now attend is very much like it used to be when we were UPC - it is a real "family atmosphere". We don't have a Sunday evening service or a midweek service. But I would have to say that MOST of our friends are people from the church. Not all, but certainly most. I really feel like that is very important. Our boys having friends from church has been gone a long ways towards keeping them away from things that we would not have wanted them involved in as they went thru the teenage years. Our church was a rock when Walt had his aneurysm. And frankly, it's just nice to have friends who have the same beliefs and values as we do.


We do see people from church the rest of the week. But we are NOT at the church 7 days a week like we used to be back when I was UPC :)

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Our Sunday AM service has more attendees than the PM service

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

It sounds like the total number of church hours has really decreased since we stopped attending in the late 80's. This is a very good think considering how many hours we went -2 on Sunday morning. Typically 3 Sunday night. 2 1/2 Wed night. 1 1/2 - 2 for Youth service which was on Friday or Sat (it changed a lot). And then endless revival services. We were the family that was there every single time the doors were open, as most families there were as well.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

I love Ferd's story of the roast being cooked a certain way... in keeping with tradition.... and how true it relates to the OP way of having church.

For me, growing up in the ACI/AMF church we dared not miss a single thing going on... if the church doors were open, we were there... or ELSE! And Sunday night was the big service of the week... everyone put on their fanciest and finest for Sunday night, only to hope you shouted until the pins fell out on floor, and everyone went to the restaurant red faced and sweaty.

Then, after we left that church, and began attending UPC meetings, it wasn't that much different. Sunday night was by far the service you didn't want to miss because that was usually the revival service with special singing, testimonies, and other special events, and the most likely service to have the Holy Ghost how-down....

Now, I am so thankful that the merry go round, and roller coaster ride that used to be ours as part of one of those churches is no longer. Now our family has bible studies together several times a week, and meets with other spirit filled families on Sundays to praise and worship the Lord, and study the Word. I feel blessed beyond measure for where we are today, as compared to whirlwind life that I used to have, trying to be at the church house every time the doors were opened, and for every event, fundraiser and activity going on.

Thank God we finally figured out that the roast didn't have to be cut the same way every time! We still enjoy the roast, but.... just in a different way than I did growing up :)

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Love going to church as much as possible. Thinking about adding a fourth service.
We have church three times a week and we visit other special services when they are within driving distance.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

I'm not sure you get the purpose of church.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Of course he does. It is family, social, entertainment, spiritual, community.....!! And that's not all bad, it served my growing up pretty well.

We have Sunday morning, with teaching classes 9-10:10, fellowship coffee 10:00-10:45, then worship time and preaching til 12:15. Tuesday 6:30-8:30 small group classes, Wed 7-9 home church. It is family, social, entertainment, spiritual and community...it's great, I need it all.

Tues and Wed, are great times for hurting folks in our larger community, to be ministered to, great outreach, Tues night is specific ministry to individual needs.

Even saw some shockamoo, Sunday morning, or maybe it was a bit to orderly to be called "shockamoo", some fine dancing. Does the Holy Spirit inspire orderly dancing????

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

He doesn't have a life outside of church. He is going to add a fourth service...

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

:foottap
I know the purpose of church thank you and yes my life does and always has relvovled around the church. God is first in my life.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

How does one define "a life outside of church"?

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

I''m in God's house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Anyone who believes a building is God's house is following the words of a man, not the bible.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

I just don't believe that God has a 'house'... I believe He is omnipresent.

I have a hard time being in a building somewhere else (20 miles from my farm) and getting my cows and goats milked, my garden planted and harvested, my canning done, my kids needs met, my house cleaned, my car washed, my 40+ hour a week job wrapped up, my commute time taken care of, my husband feeling loved and appreciated... and I could go on.

My schedule looks more like this. Early AM devotions around 5:30.
Milk cows and goats 6:00 and just keep right on talking to God.
Breakfast and a shower 7:30.. More time with God.
Drive to work 8:00... prayer, praise, calling friends from bluetooth to share the goodness of God.
8:30-5:30- Work- where there are endless opportunities to be a witness for Christ, for service, for prayer.
5:30 drive home... time for praise for what He has done that day or quiet contemplation and prayer for others needs
6:00 Milk cows and goats, feed chickens , ducks and dogs.. appreciate the handiwork of God in my herds and flocks. Feed the hogs and note just how low the prodigal had sunk when he thought he'd be better off in the pig pen at his father's house.
7;30 plant, weed or pick the garden be amazed at the lessons of the good seed, sowing and reaping...
8:30 Fix dinner and give thanks for the abundance of my farm and God's provision and blessing.
9:00 Clean up with a phone wedged between my ear and shoulder listening to my sweet grandbaby saying Daddy for the first time. Put bread in the bread maker and start a cheese for tomorrow.
10:00 Do a little Bible reading, take hubby's call from work to remind me he loves and misses me.
11:00 take a hot bath, pray and go to sleep.

Repeat tomorrow.

Re: Question about an Apostolic tradition
 

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.