Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/76

Contributor - Wm. Lensink

Title - Should Your Church Take A Vacation

Topic - Vacations

There are several churches who practically close their doors for the summer months. Those who want to attend worship services are referred to a neighbourhood church where combined services are held. Ministers in the area take their vacations and take turns providing the counseling and comforting where needed. Evening services in most of these churches are not held on a regular basis, at least not during the summer months. When a pastor goes on vacation the work in the congregation is slowed down to the bare essential. Could our churches be heading in this direction? Are evening services only attended by a few older, faithful members and those from consistory whose turn it is to be there?

The decision to discontinue evening services at least for the summer months is understandable. Is there anything more discouraging for any minister of the Gospel than to see the attendance slowly dwindling? But is it right to close the doors to the sanctuary when people no longer come to the regular evening services of worship? How much variation in the standard order of worship is permissible to make evening services attractive? Which changes in emphasis and in planning can be made to become meaningful to all age groups?

PROGRAMS WITH A PURPOSE

There are summer programs in various churches that are encouraging and rewarding, often with measurable results. The following examples are not given to be copied necessarily, but to demonstrate that worship services can be planned around a purpose and for a specific audience.

The Guelph Reformed Church has been holding summer evening services in Riverside Park. These services feature special music and a variety of speakers, arranged by their evangelism committee. Plans are made months in advance to cover the last details of publicity, permits, sound system and seating facilities, which make these services a real congregational effort. The attendance has proved it very worthwhile.

Another outstanding example of a unique ministry are the youth services at the Bethany Gospel Church in Hamilton. All their summer evening services are programmed for and by students. Since many young people are tied clown by summer jobs, they have available time during their summer vacations, which the church makes use of. Sermons deal specifically with problems faced by the students. After the sermon the minister answers questions from a panel, often in the "under attack" style. Realizing that young people need to be shown that faith provides joy and strength for daily living, four members were asked to speak on "My faith and my occupation". A nurse, a policeman, a plant superintendent and a student shared with the young people how they experienced God's grace and guidance. In the series "the church's ministry" the elders sat on the panel explaining their work and answering questions. To make the praise of the congregation more meaningful selected hymns were taught giving background information on their music and author. In the Christian stewardship lectures films were used which led into discussion groups. Coloured cards handed out as young people entered, quickly identified these groups and the leaders who did the reporting afterwards. This dialogue with students attracted many young people from various backgrounds and gave the elders the necessary feedback to develop this ministry further for the following summer.

RESPONSIBLE INVOLVEMENT

There are a number of necessary ingredients for a ministry to be effective. To recognize a need is not enough There are many desirable ministries that never get started. The need must become a challenge and when a method or an approach are found an opportunity is born. Still without the cooperation of others nothing is accomplished, people are not pushed to go to church, they must be pulled by opportunities to participate and contribute in a positive and challenging way.

The conventional style of service is planned, prepared and presented by the minister only. The congregation has very little opportunity to prepare for the details of a worship service, the contents are a complete surprise. The five hymn, two prayer, one sermon service does have serious compe tition from popular T.V. broadcasts with emotional overtones The service that allows little or no audience response and involvement is turned off as easily as the T.V. set. Why should responsible members not have the opportunity to apply their concerns and creativity in the planning of specific ministries, and then be given a detailed responsibility in that effort. Every member in the congregation has at least one talent that can be developed if it is given that challenge. Experience in Christian service can only be gained by those who have been given such responsibility and then received the necessary guidance and encouragement to succeed.

HUMAN RESOURCES AVAILABLE

Specific summer ministries are a challenge to every congregation. Vacation time offers opportunities that do not exist at any other time of the year. People are available when on vacation. They have control over their time which they normally may not have. Priorities will determine how that time is spent. Challenging work for their Saviour and His Work during part of those vacations can be highly rewarding for people of all ages. Churches have the responsibility to provide opportunities for spiritual growth of their members. Could it be that there are many workers available for specific summer ministries, if they are only asked and entrusted with a task? Are the sanctuaries used for the greatest good of the greatest number of people, especially on Sunday evenings during July and August? Are specific needs in the community seen as opportunities for work and witness? To mention a few:

Vacation Bible Schools with a serious effort to reach unchurched neighbourhood children.

Camping programs for children who do not attend youth programs or Sunday School.

Senior Youth and student programs to provide them with spiritual energy, for their next term on campus or in school. This is the age group that needs fellowship, guidance and inspiration desperately.

Evangelism programs in parks, on camping grounds, on beaches. Take the church to where the people are. Communicate a vital, life changing faith and share the joy and strength of the Christian life.

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