What Happened To Sunday Night Church???

[BrotherTony]

I'm going to put a caveat on this thread. I'm not a huge fan of Dr. Bob Gray, Sr. The issues many have with him are well documented. But, as my grandfather used to say, even a broken clock is right twice a day. With that being said I, too, beg the question and ask several more. How many of you grew up going to Sunday evening services in the church? How many of you still have a Sunday evening service in the church where you attend? If you no longer have one, what is going on in it's place? Are there any other churches in your geographical location having Sunday evening services?  Below is Dr. Bob Gray, Sr's article.

https://www.independentbaptist.com/what-ever-happened-to-sunday-night-church/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFamwZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSdzPuHEW46mjRZFmOwoaVnV-md2gZMb4G7Qf0-bTyv1r9p6K-7yRaeOTQ_aem_-qHKNtloOgAy8kasp1Q92w

[HappyChristian]

We did, we do. Most churches around here only have Sun am service.

[BrotherTony]

29 minutes ago, HappyChristian said:

We did, we do. Most churches around here only have Sun am service.

The church we're members of didn't have evening service, rather they had several small groups. Since the Wuhan Flu the church has stopped all small groups. On most Sunday evenings they have choir practice for a choir we NEVER use. It's been a royal mess since 2020. 

[Pastor Matt]

We do not currently have a Sunday Evening Service. Working a full-time job takes up a lot of my resources, but the goal is to have a Sunday Evening Service one day.

[Napsterdad]

Our church has Sunday evening services.

I did go to a church some time ago that did not. In its place it was highly encouraged that people have one or more families over for Sunday fellowship. I actually enjoyed this while it lasted. I learned a great deal during this fellowship with the saints and the spiritual growth of our family during that time was profound. Unfortunately, after about five years or so, the practice dwindled significantly, and nothing replaced it. The church, as far as I know is still Sunday mornings only.

[BrotherTony]

27 minutes ago, Napsterdad said:

Our church has Sunday evening services.

I did go to a church some time ago that did not. In its place it was highly encouraged that people have one or more families over for Sunday fellowship. I actually enjoyed this while it lasted. I learned a great deal during this fellowship with the saints and the spiritual growth of our family during that time was profound. Unfortunately, after about five years or so, the practice dwindled significantly, and nothing replaced it. The church, as far as I know is still Sunday mornings only.

I'm finding this to be all to common an occurrence. The adversary seems to be gaining ground all around.

 

[Rebecca]

I grew up in "three to thrive" IFB churches, plus as an mk, often attended multiple missions conferences a year. I was in church throughout the week all throughout my childhood and well into my adulthood. 

The church I attend now does not have Sunday evening services. They have a Bible study before the morning service and recently have started a Wednesday night Bible study service. It's a small church that has multiple ministries serving the community. The lack of a Sunday evening service doesn't mean they are serving God less, ministering less, or fellowshipping less. 

I read the article, which is just an opinion piece that doesn't Biblically explain why Sunday evening services are important. It seems to be a nostalgia-filled article on why Sunday evenings are special to him. I added my thoughts to his main arguments: 

"It was special because we were able to hear the preacher again. " "He spoke directly to us. He challenged us more. He exhorted a bit more."

Why preach differently?  Sunday morning services shouldn't be different than Sunday evening services. 

"It was a family meeting where he could be more candid with the members of the family."

No, again, Sunday morning shouldn't be any different. Why should visitors cause someone to respond less, listen less, or fellowship less in the morning service? It's almost like once the visitors are gone, you can breathe after holding your breath. Are visitors really that much of an 'outsider' presence that it changes the atmosphere of the church service? 

"It was another chance to become closer to one another."  "After all there was no one there that we were trying to impress." 

Impress? Really?  Church services shouldn't be about impressing anyone. 

"It puts sports, football in particular, in its place." 

With streaming, this is a moot point. Any sports fanatic will find a way to watch their team in between services and stay up to date on that oh-so-very vital information, that's not putting sports 'in its place'. 

"It gave us another chance to do something for the Lord." 

 This is probably the only point I agree with. For those in larger churches space for special music, or other in-church ministries is limited, so another service will give someone who desires to serve God in a church service an opportunity to do so. People who work or otherwise can't come in the morning have a chance to do so in the evening. However, these are not Biblical reasons for Sunday evening services, it's just a good point. 

Edited September 21 by Rebecca

[John Young]

4 hours ago, Rebecca said:

these are not Biblical reasons for Sunday evening services, it's just a good point.

Whenever people ask me why to have an evening service, my two points are 1. It was the only service time we know of that Jesus attended after his resurrection (John 20:19-29). and 2. Work Schedules are so messed up now days that many people can't attend Sunday morning. Our church recently had a young couple that attended (and got saved) because ours was the only church with an evening service and being in the military he had to work in the mornings. 

Those are the reasons I like them but not every church needs to have them, particularly when it's a bi-vocational or small/Rual church. Each church will have to decide which types of services/community outreach ministry times that they have based on its people and its opportunities or limitations. Nor would it make the church better or worse off for not having one "just because". Just because churches die because they care more about what has always been than about reaching their community.

Edited September 21 by John Young

[DaveW]

We have an adult Bible study at 9.30am, main service at 10.15am, evening service at 6pm, prayer meeting Wednesday night.

Evening service and prayer meeting are poorly attended, but as we have our own building it costs us nothing to have a service for 9 or 10 people.

Only the morning service is well attended. 

The number of services and the times of those services are not important, but my personal view has always been that you should be in the house of the Lord as often as you can.

I don't understand people who ask why they should be in every service..... my question to them is always "Why wouldn't you want to be in every service you can?"

Psalms 122

 1  A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

 

(My annual post is now done! )

[TheGloryLand]

11 hours ago, DaveW said:

We have an adult Bible study at 9.30am, main service at 10.15am, evening service at 6pm, prayer meeting Wednesday night.

Evening service and prayer meeting are poorly attended, but as we have our own building it costs us nothing to have a service for 9 or 10 people.

Only the morning service is well attended. 

The number of services and the times of those services are not important, but my personal view has always been that you should be in the house of the Lord as often as you can.

I don't understand people who ask why they should be in every service..... my question to them is always "Why wouldn't you want to be in every service you can?"

Psalms 122

 1  A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

 

(My annual post is now done! )

Those that don’t have Sunday evening services, I blame the leaders and the members. The members were too lazy to come to the evening services, and the leaders finally gave up. Where I am attending they changed Wednesday night services, to Friday nights. You cannot really call this a midweek service for it’s already the weekend. After Covid, churches have changed much.

[Pastor Scott Markle]

11 hours ago, DaveW said:

(My annual post is now done! )

And my annual "like" of Brother Dave's annual post is also now done.

[swathdiver]

On 9/20/2024 at 2:22 PM, BrotherTony said:

What Happened To Sunday Night Church???

Mine still preaches on Sunday evening.  I'm mostly shut-in now,, glad to be able to watch them on my computer/TV but miss being with the saints.

[BrotherTony]

25 minutes ago, swathdiver said:

Mine still preaches on Sunday evening.  I'm mostly shut-in now,, glad to be able to watch them on my computer/TV but miss being with the saints.

I can empathize and sympathize with you. I'm not always able to be in service and watching over the net. I surely miss being there and go as often as the Lord allows me to be healthy enough to be there.